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OPINION & EDITORIAL

Clear choice for superintendent

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Also by Sarah Howard:

Public TV rejects Greens (October 13, 2006)
Hosty decision affects student papers (September 7, 2005)
Grant boosts language (October 20, 2006)
Drop in oil supply demands action (September 13, 2005)
UW aid looms over race (October 27, 2006)

by Sarah Howard

Monday, April 4, 2005

Election season can be exhausting for voters. With many candidates running for a vast array of positions, it makes sense that Wisconsin residents seek defining measurements by which to evaluate their selections for state office. But identifying these measures can be a difficult task in and of itself. Should voters look at personal experience? Primary performance? Political endorsements from relevant groups?

Thankfully, there is one pending election decision where voters can relax about choosing a specific criterion because the choice will be the same no matter what the chosen evaluating factor. The race is for the State School Superintendent and the overwhelming choice is Elizabeth Burmaster. But don’t take my word for it.

Burmaster’s experience speaks for itself. She has spent decades working as a public educator, first in the classroom as a music and drama teacher, then as principal of Hawthorne Elementary School and Madison’s West High School, which she left to run for her current state position in 2001.

Since then, Wisconsin’s incumbent superintendent has regularly supported education programs that serve students’ best interests. She supports SAGE, a program that works to lower class size and encourages community involvement with schools in order to improve student achievement by the third grade. She argues for state funding for bilingual programs special education which would take the financial burden off taxpayers but still guarantees the continuation of these essential programs. Her faith and pride in the public school system are evident as she opposes the expanded use of private school vouchers, accurately arguing that they drain funding away from public schools and ultimately impair flexibility and effectiveness in education.

If Burmaster’s record and platform don’t speak to you, maybe her supporters will. She won 62 percent of the vote during February’s primary and boasts the backing of the Wisconsin Education Association Council and the Wisconsin chapter of the American Federation of Teachers. Jessica Doyle, wife of Governor Doyle and former teacher, also endorses Burmaster.

Perhaps embittered by the superintendent’s monopoly of support, challenger Representative Gregg Underheim criticizes Burmaster’s ties to the union and Governor’s office, saying she is too close to maintain an objective and independent voice. However, it seems to me that a superintendent should share close political relationships with this group and government office in order to preserve the means and connections necessary to argue for education programs, spending and innovation.

With education costs and budget constraints rising simultaneously, unapologetic advocacy on behalf of education is absolutely essential, and Burmaster is obviously the qualified choice for this task. The incumbent superintendent told the Wisconsin State Journal that “the superintendent of public instruction needs to serve as the chief advocate for the state’s public schools, not someone looking for ways to cut their state aid.”

Unfortunately, the latter objective appears to be the main focus of Representative Underheim’s campaign. His proposals demonstrate his preoccupation with bottom-line budget politics: cuts in special education and bilingual education, replacing teachers with technology and expanding the use of private school vouchers. Underheim argues “taxpayers are under pressure because schools can’t keep their spending under control.” His ill-conceived solution is to rip spending decisions out of the hands of local school districts, or better yet, eliminate it all together — as demonstrated by his support for cutting $400 million from public school funding. This is absolutely unacceptable for Wisconsin students, teachers and administrators, who deserve a superintendent devoted to the preservation of education, not its economic minimization.

With the state’s educational future at stake, University of Wisconsin students must vote this Tuesday to ensure that Burmaster will return to the State Superintendent’s office. As the only elected member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and the Wisconsin Technical College System Board, the State Superintendent occupies a special place on these influential bodies, and the position must therefore be filled by someone whose primary concern is education quality, not bottom-line costs.

Most students have unknowingly benefited from Elizabeth Burmaster’s enthusiasm, focus and advocacy during their time at UW — its time to repay the favor and vote for her in this week’s election.

Sarah Howard (smhoward@wisc.edu) is a sophomore majoring in political science.

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Anonymous (April 4, 2005 @ 1:41am):

Word. Libby Burmaster has indeed been great for students.

Students should also support:
Sarah King for Council, district 13
Austin King for Council, district 8
Robbie Webber for Council, district 5
Carol Carstenson for School Board
Bill Clingan for School Board
Niess for Judge
No to the state amendment to have fewer elections of county officials
Yes to the referenda that asks the state to pay for unfunded mandates

Does that cover everything?

Anonymous (April 4, 2005 @ 8:23am):

oh gee, well thanks for telling me everyone i should support... because clearly all of our ideals are the same and therefore we should blindly support whoever you tell us to.

Anonymous (April 4, 2005 @ 8:49am):

I think that earlier list was more of a "what the majority of students will do based on past voting history" list, because we're mostly progressives. Obviously, if you're in the loud and obnoxious college republican minority on campus, that's not a list you'll be supporting.

Anonymous (April 4, 2005 @ 9:03am):

Ah yes, have an opinion that is conservative and you're a "loud and obnoxious minority" to be trivialized. But if you're a elitist left wing socialist, you're the progressive majority. Only in Madison!

Anonymous (April 4, 2005 @ 2:07pm):

Burmaster is a whore for special interests.

Anonymous (April 4, 2005 @ 2:59pm):

Oh, that's an interesting argument. Very informative. Just what special interests did you have in mind? And for each one you five me, are you sure I couldn't give one for Underheim?

Anonymous (April 4, 2005 @ 5:53pm):

Burmaster's short-comings really should have at least been mentioned in this puff piece.

Could someone please give me a good reason why she is against the WIVA (besides the fact that WEAC told her to be)?

Also, why are these people so opposed to school boards moving from health insurance provided by the WEA Trust to private insurance companies? This is a measure that would keep teacher's benefits the same, while saving schools millions each year. If WEAC and their sidekick Burmaster really cared about schools more than just the power that their union holds, they would support measures like switching to private insurace and incredible programs like the WIVA.

Anonymous (April 4, 2005 @ 6:04pm):

Yeah, I totally trust private insurance companies. Sounds swell.

What's up with privatizing everything? Care to mention just one instance of public ownership you like?

Anonymous (April 4, 2005 @ 7:49pm):

However, it seems to me that a superintendent should share close political relationships with this group and government office in order to preserve the means and connections necessary to argue for education programs, spending and innovation.
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funny how this author refers to the union as "this group" LOL