Should we demand better planning and management from our school board and administration?

There was a follow up on the discussions between the Wisconsin Rapids, Port Edwards, and Nekoosa school districts in the March 4 Marshfield News Herald (see full text below).

It's great to see school boards that are willing to discuss and explore options for saving money. I particularly like this quote: "Do we want to continue down the same path, or do we want to come together and dream about what could happen off that track?" Bechard (Nekoosa School Board President) said. "We need to be an educational lighthouse ... but we can't do that if we stay in the limited confines of the traditional track."

Marshfield seems to prefer to stay on that traditional track. Raise property taxes, spend more than we have, and when that money runs out, come back begging for more.

We all should be taking a close look at what other school districts are doing to SAVE (not spend) money, and then hold our school board and administration accountable for coming up with options, choices and alternatives instead of just offering referendum after referendum after referendum. After all, Mr. King said he'll be back with another referendum soon.

We should demand better planning and management.

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HERE'S THE FULL TEXT OF THE ARTICLE:

Rapids school districts work on collaboration

By Adam Wise
For the Marshfield News-Herald

PORT EDWARDS -- While three local school districts deal with state financial restrictions, two just might have to fight an elephant, as well.


The Wisconsin Rapids, Port Edwards and Nekoosa school boards voted Monday evening to continue discussions about increasing program and service collaboration in the coming years.


On numerous occasions, the metaphorical elephant in the room was mentioned as a possible barrier blocking teamwork. The historically rocky relationship between Port Edwards and Nekoosa school district residents was acknowledged by many Monday, while some at the meeting discounted it as an outdated sentiment.


"We all know there are some elephants in the room and historical perspectives," said Nekoosa School Board President Steve Bechard, adding that future meetings and serious talks about change will require perseverance.


As a result of declining enrollments and state-imposed revenue caps on public school districts, the three boards consider it necessary to further cooperate to save costs. The large group discussions were facilitated by Irma Tyler-Wood of Indianapolis-based Ki Thoughtbridge.


Specific action items were not pursued, but residents did break into small group discussions with their elected representatives to brainstorm available opportunities and to talk about fears they have about possible changes.


Although some might have wished to see an expedited process, the next step will involve the school boards discussing ideas and opportunities during April meetings, with another gathering of the three board presidents tentatively scheduled for May. It was a meeting of the three on Feb. 1 that initially set the foundation for Monday's gathering.


"It's kind of like shaking off the proverbial rust," Port Edwards School Board member Dana Duncan said of the meeting. "I think there's a pride in what we have and a concern for the future. It's not a matter of throwing in the towel; it's how will we fix it now, and what's the best way?"


Portions of the three school districts already collaborate on certain services including special education, athletics and 4-year-old kindergarten.


During the Port Edwards small group discussion, some residents admitted concerns of school closures, teacher retention and changes to curriculum if the three districts joined forces.


Bechard compared the current situation of public school funding and the restrictions it places on school districts to when the railroad ultimately was replaced as a popular mode of transportation by the automobile; residents must see the need to change with the times.


"Do we want to continue down the same path, or do we want to come together and dream about what could happen off that track?" Bechard said. "We need to be an educational lighthouse ... but we can't do that if we stay in the limited confines of the traditional track."


Greg Swank of the Wisconsin Rapids School Board said baby steps are important to the success of the group.


"The steps we need to take into the future don't have to be great leaps," he said. "We don't have to come up with a list of goals we are striving for by April. I'm more in favor of slowing down a bit. ... I don't see the expediency."