After a successful recall election in Wisconsin, Republican Gov. Scott Walker now has the opportunity to pursue significant changes in the state’s school system. Education reform has been emphasized as a top priority in his re-election campaign. Advocates for these changes hope that Governor Walker will focus on expanding charter schools and school choice programs in the state, initiatives that he has previously supported. However, the contentious political climate and ongoing debate over K-12 funding may complicate these efforts. The governor’s victory in the recall election was a disappointment for the state teachers’ unions, who had fought to have him removed from office.
Despite this setback, the unions remain committed to advocating for students and schools throughout the state. The fate of the state Senate adds further complexity to the situation, with Democrats claiming control through the successful recall of a Republican senator. However, control could shift again in the next round of legislative elections in November.
Governor Walker’s push to limit the bargaining rights of public employee unions sparked the recall attempt, and his victory in the election has emboldened him to pursue further reforms. One area of focus may be expanding charter schools and ensuring their financial stability. The president of the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute suggests that people are becoming more results-oriented and less focused on simply increasing funding. The president of the teachers’ union also anticipates a push for expansion of the state’s school voucher program.
In 2011, Governor Walker eliminated the enrollment cap for private school vouchers in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. He also expanded eligibility for school choice programs in Milwaukee and Racine. Advocates hope that he will continue these efforts and broaden the school choice program, potentially by reintroducing special education vouchers for private schools. Additionally, there is support for increasing the number of charter school authorizers in the state, as currently only school districts have this authority.
The ongoing debate over education reform and funding in Wisconsin promises to be a challenging and contentious process. However, Governor Walker’s recent victory has given him a mandate to pursue his reform agenda, and advocates are hopeful that he will make meaningful changes to the state’s school system.
Overcoming Legislative Obstacles
Despite a reduction of approximately $1.6 billion in school funding during the 2011-13 biennial budget, which resulted in an average funding loss of about 10 percent for districts, there is a distinct possibility that lawmakers, including GOP legislators, may consider increasing funding aid to schools in fiscal 2013, according to Mr. Lightbourn and Mr. Turner. Charles Franklin, the director of the Marquette Law School Poll on Wisconsin politics, raised the question of whether the budget situation is strong enough to declare that these budget reforms have been effective.
The May edition of the Marquette Law School Poll revealed that 67 percent of respondents opposed cutting aid to public education as a means to reduce state spending, while a plurality of 45 percent had an unfavorable view of public-sector unions. However, Ms. Bell argued that the governor’s emphasis on charter and school choice initiatives could jeopardize the chances of any increase in basic education funding, making it an incredibly challenging issue to address in the upcoming year. Despite this, Ms. Bell stated that the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) would continue collaborating with Mr. Walker on teacher evaluations and the implementation of any waivers for the state from provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. Currently, the state’s application for the waiver is pending approval from the U.S. Department of Education.
Current Situation
At present, districts are still in the process of exploring the increased responsibility and power bestowed upon them by Governor Walker, according to Mr. Turner from the district administrators’ group. He mentioned that one district opted to reduce 15 teacher positions and utilized the resulting savings to provide an additional $15,000 to each teacher for teaching an extra 90 minutes per day. These changes were implemented without the need to consult the union or a union contract. However, Leah Luke, an English and Spanish teacher at the Mauston school district, expressed concerns about the disorganization and loss of institutional knowledge caused by the governor’s actions. Ms. Luke, who was named the state’s teacher of the year in 2009, has actively protested against these changes. Additionally, WEAC reported that the rate of teacher retirements in 2011 was unprecedented compared to previous years. Ms. Luke described the situation as resembling a power vacuum in certain districts.
