UW-Extension's Uncertain Future, Part 3
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016 -- 11:55 AM
-County UW-Extension offices are beginning the first steps of reorganizing due to the $250 million budget cut to the UW-System approved by the Wisconsin Legislature.The Regional Director of the UW-Extension's Northwest Regional Office came to Clark County on Thursday of last week to speak with Extension employees and some board members of the County's Extension Committee about the proposed changes. Because of the cuts to the system, the Cooperative Extension Program is facing a $3.6 million budget deficit. The proposal heading to Extension Chancellor Cathy Sandeen would group Extension offices into multi-county offices with a reorganization of employees. Clark County would be grouped with Marathon, Wood, Portage and Waupaca.
There were many concerns brought up by the Extension employees and County Board members present. Another concern brought up by the county employees was the Amish Community. Again, with Clark County's uniqueness, they feel that those who aren't familiar with the area will not understand the work that goes into establishing a working relationship between Extension and the Amish community. An example that was given is that Extension leaders want departments to go digital with all their material, but Clark County still uses printed copy in the mail to reach the Amish.
Another big concern mentioned by an Extension employee is that this particular meeting, and the others held with other offices, is a waste of time because the decisions have been made and they're simply holding these meetings in order to placate them. They wondered how invested Chancellor Sandeen is in Extension as she's not from Wisconsin. Her previous positions were in California. They feel that she isn't committed to staying in Wisconsin and she'll make all these drastic changes and leave.
None of this is set in stone at this point and there are still many questions to be answered and many things to figure out. At this point, the optimistic timeline is that a decision on the reorganization will take place soon and they will begin putting committees together soon after. They hope to begin implementation by July of 2016 and most personnel changes are expected to begin by last this year or early next.
In Case You Missed It:
Part 1: http://cwbradio.com/news/?fn_mode=fullnews&fn_id=15915
Part 2: http://cwbradio.com/news/?fn_mode=fullnews&fn_id=15932
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