Comments on the 2006 Madison Edge School Referendum & Possible Closure of a "Downtown School"

Dan Sebald:

I'm somewhat incredulous about the comments from the Madison School Board President Johnny Winston Jr. in Susan Troller's article about Monday's meeting. Do I understand correctly? The School Board packaged the new west side elementary school with two other spending items to ensure its passage as a referendum on last November's ballot, and now the School Board is reluctant to put forth a referendum to fully fund downtown schools? And they give no reassurance about seeking to keep the downtown school curriculums and class size intact?

And what of these comments about no public outcry? If the public is to do the political footwork to get rid of draconian state-imposed caps, we wouldn't need a School Board.

From someone who has no vested interest in one's own children's education yet recognizes the importance of a solid education for everyone, I say Madison's school system is in obvious decline.

My opinion is that if the modus operandi is school funding by referendums and we get a referendum for a new school on the edge of the city, then we get a referendum to fund downtown schools.

If that referendum fails, then it fails, which would be a good indication of where priorities in the community lie and also a sad disappointment.

Dan Sebald Madison

This is a fascinating issue, particularly given the folks that lined up to support last fall's referendum.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at February 3, 2007 12:45 PM
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