Walker to gut MPS, break up UW, education leaders say

[HereSince1628]

The little monster is pressing on like a juggarnaut

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116339939.html

Education leaders in Wisconsin said Wednesday that the forthcoming two-year state budget Gov. Scott Walker will propose next week will lead to cuts that could spell the end of Milwaukee Public Schools as we know it and changes University of Wisconsin leaders say could split the flagship Madison campus off the university system.

In a gathering Wednesday night at Milwaukee's Fratney School, board President Michael Bonds said MPS could face huge cuts in programs and the loss of a quarter of its current revenue if things officials are being told about Walker's budget proposals are true and if they are adopted.

"I would use the word devastating," Bonds told an angry crowd of about 200 at Fratney, 3255 N. Fratney St. "It's devastating to school districts across the state," and MPS will feel the impact more than other districts.

"There's going to be major cuts, school closures, school mergers, if the governor's budget is approved," Bonds told the crowd. "When you're talking about losing close to $300 million, everything is on the table."

"The education we know in Milwaukee will no longer exist," if what officials have been told will be in Walker's budget proposal comes to pass, Bonds told the crowd.

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[Sabriel]

1. What's the deal with Chancellor Martin being in favor of the split?

I don't get it.

The UW is the shining star of Wisconsin, and they'd be nuts to ruin that.

[HereSince1628]

2. Autonomy, to let Madison stand alone and not share.

In many states there has been a similar push. Forty years ago Wisconsin tried to balance funding across all the state institutions by having one board of regents. Now that money looks tighter the Chancellor wants to be able to distinguish Madison's needs from those of other schools.

Face it, it's easier to betray your sisters in an effort to cut a special deal when your sisters aren't present.

[Viking12]

3. She's insane if she thinks the legislature is going to give up their micro-management of Madison

The legislature is far too thirsty for power over the UW schools and has their nose in every corner of the schools business. To believe that they will grant UW Madison 'autonomy' after a split up of the system is a pipe dream.

[54anickel]

4. Uhhh, I saw a sheet of paper on Stephen Nass's door stating he's now

heading up some sort of commission or something to do with the University. Didn't pay much attention, but my friend caught it and laughed because he despises the UW system. He's our rep but she said we need not bother even attempting to visit and lobby his office.
Not sure if that's useful info or not.

[nebenaube]

5. Do it anyway! n/t

[54anickel]

7. We're going back today, so we'll stop and leave him a note. While in Kedzie's office on Tuesday it

was quiet as could be. I made a comment to the women it the office about how quiet it was. They said they had a few visitors come in here and there - like there weren't a lot of constituents against the bill. Then I commented on how quiet the phones were too, they just looked at each other. I said how I found that to be so odd as I tried calling all day and night the previous day and got a message that the voice-mail box was full. Asked it they just had their phones forwarding directly to voice-mail --- got a deer caught in the headlights look back, then they said 'Oh yes, the phones were so busy we'd never be able to keep up with them, we try to empty it before it gets full'. I asked if transcribing all of those messages is what was keeping them so busy - *crickets*.

Anyway, I came out of there with the realization that I have no representation in state government at all - at least not in this district. My friend knows Nass quite well, worked with him off and on for many years. It was getting late, we were heading for the buses and I guess she didn't want to waste the time and effort knowing it would be lost on him.

[dragonlady]

6. A separate UW Madison would need a board of regents

Who would appoint that board? Why, the governor, of course!