Education in Peril?

October 21, 2024

This November, in Rock County, four school districts will again come to the property owners seeking funds to maintain their operations and facilities.  

There is no doubt that voters are feeling the economic pinch this fall, and some of them will vote in the negative on school funding questions simply because their budgets are so tight.   School officials argue referendums must be passed and taxes increased or the system will disintegrate.  

Is the argument valid?   Are schools not receiving any funding increases from the state leaving taxpayers to foot the bill?   The answer is no.   Districts might not be receiving all they want, but consider this.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) report published by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), the revenue per student has increased every year since 2014.  And last spring, Governor Evers ensured that is always the case with his (arguably illegal) budget veto creating an increase in funding per student for the next 400 years. 

What about the argument that if taxpayers provide the districts with more money via referendums, it will equate to more student success? 

Checking a summary provided in this month’s “Did You Know” series from Rock County First, we find that increases in spending doesn’t equate to increased educational outcomes.   In fact, in the last five years, student proficiencies in math and English are down.  The Rock County school district’s average rank within the state has fallen 49 spots over that time – led by the County’s two largest school districts (Beloit and Janesville School districts).  This while, as discussed, state funding has increased and nearly all the rock county districts have operating referendums requesting even more from taxpayers.

You will love this.  Just last year the state DPI  lowered the thresholds defining student and district success.  That means future reports will show an increase in success, when in truth, the bar was simply lowered.  To learn more about this bait and switch, please read this report from the Institute for Reforming (WI) Government – Testing our Patience: How Wisconsin Lowered Standards, Widened the Achievement Gap, and Busted Its State Exams.

When we discover that the “more money equals better outcomes” narrative is false, it means the system built on that foundation cannot work properly. 

It means legislators and administrators need to go back to the proverbial drawing board, starting with state mandated programs, and determine if those ‘one size fits all mandates’ make sense within the individual districts.   Any curriculum that seeks to manipulate the student body needs to be closely examined.   While it may be appropriate to address violence on the school grounds,  having teachers promote theories on religion, gender or racism may not pass the test of education necessary for students to succeed.  Nor is it likely the best approach to integrate special needs students with those not requiring a higher level of attention, especially from an efficiency standpoint.

As one of the highest property taxed counties in the country (225th highest of 3143 counties in the U.S.) it’s your right, and duty, to ask the obvious question:  “Are our kids getting the education we’re paying for?”

 

RCF is Here to Help!

Deciding to run for office is a difficult decision for anyone, and unique to their own circumstances.  Many people have told us they have very much appreciated the support and guidance RCF has provided, so they can make a more informed decision.  Long story short, RCF is here to help!

Here are a couple resources to get you  started

Considering running for local office?

Should you run for local office?

Someone from our Candidate & Campaign Committee would be happy to speak with you directly as well.  If you are interested in further assistance, please contact us at rockcountywifirst@gmail.com 

 

Other Articles From Our Blog

Proposed 2025 Rock County Budget – Do They Really Want to Help Taxpayers In Their Time of Need?

Proposed 2025 Rock County Budget – Do They Really Want to Help Taxpayers In Their Time of Need?

Financial freedom from a local perspective is largely driven and controlled by local taxation. Most notably property taxes - School District, County and City - are a major expense of Rock County homeowners. Most people in Rock County know their property taxes are high, but few overburdened taxpayers know, Rock County’s property taxes are higher than 96% of ALL counties in the US! This is based on the percentage of income, or people’s ability to pay (Source: https://www.tax-rates.org/wisconsin/rock_county_property_tax). Suffice it to say that all local taxing authorities need to ‘tighten their belts,’ just as the citizens are forced to do in today’s inflation-ridden economy.
Rock County School Districts – A Bait and Switch

Rock County School Districts – A Bait and Switch

What is the truth about the relative performance of our Rock County school districts? School districts and DPI generally do not like district performance judged based upon the DPI scorecard results. They say it is not fair to compare one district’s performance vs another, nor is it wise to compare a district’s scorecard results from one year to the next. While there may be some truth to this, the only way people have a way to compare performance trends over time, or between districts is with a consistent test given to all students in all districts. The test DPI uses the Forward Exam, which is given to all students in the state (less the few students who do not take the test).
Rock County School Districts–What’s Going Up and What’s Going Down

Rock County School Districts–What’s Going Up and What’s Going Down

Educational freedom refers to the ability of parent’s to select the best educational opportunity for their children. It recognizes that all children are unique, full of potential, and deserving of a high-quality education that meets their individual needs.  For someone to be truly free, they must receive a high-quality education which allows them to maximize their full potential in life.   Recently RCF announced the top performing public school districts and schools in Rock County.    RCF recognizes and thanks teachers and students for their commitment to excellence, and to educational freedom! Financial freedom from a local perspective is largely driven and controlled by local taxation.  Most notably property taxes - School District, County and City - are a major annual expense for Rock County homeowners and indirectly, renters.  With school districts being the highest portion of one’s property taxes. Most people in Rock County know their property taxes are high, but few realize Rock County’s property taxes are higher than 96% of all counties in the US!  This is based on the percentage of personal income, or people’s ability to pay (Source).