LTE – Terry Nichols – 1-20-2021
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
It’s time for Wisconsin to step up to the plate.
Even after the Blue Ribbon Commission on Education gave their final report with recommendations back in January of 2019, the funding of K-12 educations still remains a problem. One of the recommendations in the report was to go to two-thirds funding of education by the state. How is that working.? School district referenda in this state is out of control This past year there were 111 school district referenda between the April election and the November election. It’s worth saying that student enrollment is down across this state in K-12 education as well as public higher education.
After looking at the sales tax of the surrounding states of Wisconsin, the sales tax of these states is higher. Politicians when trying to make a point are often comparing Wisconsin to other states. I am reading that one of the solutions for solving the education problem is a one per cent sales tax increase. I am sure many would start complaining here we go again, raising taxes. What do you think school district referenda are doing folks? If you live in the Chippewa Valley Technical College District you will notice an addition on your property taxes that will not be paid off until 2040. This is public higher education to the tune of 48.8 million dollars, another funding issue.
I’m all for the raising the sales tax one per cent if it will eliminate the tidal wave of school district referenda. I’m all for visitors of this state contributing to the education of our kids. To prove my point, the Eau Claire School District is already hinting another referendum on the horizon. Back in 2016, the school district had an eighty plus million passed referendum. It’s time for the state to step up to the plate.
Terry Nichols
Town of Colfax