I won’t be surprised if you haven’t heard much about the Madison school referendum on the ballot next month. As Obamamania sweeps campus, the poor referendum hasn’t recieved much attention this fall.
It’s easy to feel sorry for the referendum. It has no tall, dark and handsome spokesperson like Barack Obama to fight for it. Instead of dreamy promises, it offers only the mundane complexities of school finance. And the four-syllable ref-er-en-dum is long enough to put you asleep just saying it — nothing like the light and airy words of “hope” and “change” that other campaigns bat around. But as a student at Madison West High School, I know the referendum could have a stronger and more immediate effect on my world as a student — and the greater Madison community — than any Washington paradigm shift.
Fifteen years ago, the state Legislature passed a set of contradictory laws that prioritized low-property taxes over quality public education. One law restricted school districts’ revenue, permitting school boards to increase budgets by about 2.5 percent or less each year. Another required that teachers’ salaries and benefits increase by at least 3.8 percent, leaving a gap between the revenue districts were allowed to collect and the amount they were required to spend.
Thanks to the state Legislature’s prize-winning logic, districts across the state have been woefully short on money for the last 15 years. The Madison School Board alone has been forced to cut over $60 million in educational programs and services alone, along with over 700 faculty and staff positions.
Students in Madison schools cope with the realities of these budget cuts every day. At West High School, for instance, some classes are so crowded that there aren’t enough desks for every student, and it’s nearly impossible for students to get into all of the classes they need or want to take. Many textbooks are outdated or inaccurate. (Last year, I studied from a government text that insisted global warming doesn’t exist.) Some history classrooms have maps with the Soviet Union on them. Although our 78-year-old building has no air conditioning, fans in most rooms are broken, making classrooms unbearably stuffy in warmer months. Bathroom stalls don’t lock. And that’s just one school.
Meanwhile, I grieve the losses of wonderful opportunities and services that contributed to my own education. Recent cuts have eliminated or severely weakened many programs I benefited from, like the Elementary Strings program that gave students of all backgrounds an ability to explore music at a young age, or the Talented and Gifted program that fostered creativity and critical thinking in all students. Crucial programs and services, like special education, 4-year-old kindergarten and English Language Learning have also suffered major blows.
It’s clear to me — along with many of the 25,000 students enrolled in Madison schools — that our schools can’t afford any more budget cuts. That’s why it’s critical University of Wisconsin students support the referendum at the polls.
On Nov. 4, voters will decide whether to allow the Madison Metropolitan School District to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit. To get the funding it needs, the school board will need to raise property taxes. The typical Madison homeowner would pay, on average, an additional $34 in property taxes for the next three years. Less than a dime a day — that’s a small price to pay to support a public education system in dire need of help.
Indeed, there’s a lot at stake: If the referendum fails, students will face at least $14 million in cuts in the next three years alone. On the other hand, the referendum will allow school administrators to focus on preparing students for the future rather than managing budget woes. According to Julie Underwood, Dean of the School of Education, “Even under Wisconsin’s broken school finance system, Madison’s schools have been doing remarkable things for all children; a referendum is necessary for this good work to continue.”
Supporting the referendum is an essential step to building a stronger future for Madison schools and the greater community. As Mayor Dave recently remarked, “Strong public schools are the most important ingredient in a healthy city.”
On Election Day, voting for president won’t be the only way to vote for change. Vote YES for schools to ensure students in Madison schools — the next generation of Badgers — have access to the education they deserve.
Natalia Thompson ([email protected]) is a senior at West High School. She hopes to study political science, journalism and women’s studies next year at UW.
