Gov. Walker’s reforms are working
by Michael Wille Earlier this year, the Wisconsin legislature passed the Budget Repair Act, a bill that, among other things, limits the collective bargaining rights of Wisconsin teachers. In the most contentious battle regarding public sector unions the state has ever seen, hundreds of thousands of people descended upon the statehouse to protest the actions...
by Michael Wille
Earlier this year, the Wisconsin legislature passed the Budget Repair Act, a bill that, among other things, limits the collective bargaining rights of Wisconsin teachers. In the most contentious battle regarding public sector unions the state has ever seen, hundreds of thousands of people descended upon the statehouse to protest the actions of the Republican legislature, claiming that the bill would increase teacher layoffs, raise class sizes, and reduce course selections. A number of teachers called in sick to their schools and went to the protests. Doctors who supported the protesters were seen on videohanding out notes for anyone who wanted to skip class and remain. These doctors will learn their fatetoday when the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board rules on the legality of their actions.
The debate was so contentious that 14 Democratic state senators in Wisconsin fled south across the border to Illinois to ensure that a quorum could not be reached and the bill could not be voted on. They claimed that they were standing up for the rights of teachers and against the harsh nature of the proposal from Governor Walker. After weeks of stonewalling, the Democrats did return and the bill narrowly passed. After a protracted legal battle regarding the legislative process, the bill went into effect and has been a part of the budgeting process in local school districts. And this week, a report released by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators demonstrates that the law is working. The following data comes from 83% of local school districts within the state of Wisconsin:
Myth: Wisconsin students are seeing large class sizes
Fact: 75 percent of districts that responded to the survey have the same K-3 class sizes or are decreasing them and 67 percent of districts for grades 4-6 are keeping the same class size or decreasing them
Myth: Wisconsin students will have fewer course choices this school year
Fact: Over 90 percent of school districts have the same number of or increased the number of AP courses, vocation/technical courses, art courses, music, family/consumer ed. courses, physical education courses, business courses, social studies courses, science courses, math courses, English courses, and foreign language courses
Myth: There have been massive staff layoffs in school districts all across Wisconsin
Fact: Nearly at least 75 percent (see report for breakdown by subject area) of school districts have the same number of or increased the number of staff, counselors, and teachers.
In addition, the Department of Public Instruction released a report regarding the tax levy for Wisconsin school districts:
Today, the 2011-2012 K-12 school tax levy numbers were released for the state of Wisconsin. The total K-12 tax levy decreased by over $47 million this year. Over the last ten years the tax levy, on average, increased by $162 million each year. Over the last five years the tax levy, on average, increased by $181 million each year.
When compared to the status quo of the last five years, Governor Walker’s reforms are keeping an extra $228 million in Wisconsin property taxpayer’s pockets. In total, 269 school districts have a property tax levy lower or the same as last year and 200 school districts not only lowered their levy, but cut their mill rate.
Finally, the MacIver Institute, a free market think tank in Wisconsin released the following video detailing the positive effects that local districts are seeing as a result of the bill.
The Illinois legislature faces a number of difficult choices regarding the future of the state’s education system. Chief among those concerns though must be reforming the pension system before the state allocates more public dollars to retirement costs than schools. While those who support the status quo seem to have the upper hand, politicians from both parties should take a lesson from Governor Walker and the Wisconsin legislature, offering a bold and courageous plan to put students and taxpayers first.