DEMS WANT SCHOOL FUNDING FIX
Wednesday, March 1st, 2006 -- 3:16 PM
[url=http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Mar06/Mar1/0301demsschoolfunding.pdf]School Funding Press Release[/url]By Bob Hague, WRN
Democrat, Representative Sondy Pope-Roberts of Verona called on lawmakers of both parties to come together; "this is about . . . throwing out a school finance system that simply does not work." Pope-Roberts said many school districts around the state can no longer meet costs, and are being forced to cut programs that students need, and parents want.
Dan Brereton, President of the Florence County School Board, said he's been disappointed by legislators, asking "should I have to bring legislators up to Florence, and try to get them to understand what this has done to our community?"
Madison schools Superintendent Art Rainwater says his district is not yet in crisis, but many others are. "There comes a time when the mathematics of the (school funding) formula destroy the future of our children," said Rainwater. "That time is now."
A coalition of Democratic legislators and school groups are calling on leaders in the Legislature to sign on in support of a resolution, which calls for a change in the way public education is funded to be in place by July of 2007.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.