The state budget is ready for the Governor’s signature and the head of Wisconsin’s largest teachers union paints a grim picture for K-12 under the plan. Mary Bell of WEAC says the two-year-budget amounts to an “attack on public education.” She says Wisconsinites are opposed to the massive funding cuts for K-12.
“That’s not what they want. They want investments in their public schools. They want to be responsible but they do not want them defunded.”
The two-year-budget reduces state dollars to school districts to the tune of $800 million which capping how much communities can increase the tax levy.
Bell says the side effect of these reductions will go beyond teachers receiving less pay and will result school programs and resources for children’s future going by the wayside.
Governor Scott Walker has said education reforms and cuts to collective bargaining will give school districts the tools needed to deal with getting less state money.
Walker is scheduled to sign the 2011-2013 budget Sunday in Green Bay.