School Administrators Alliance Releases Agenda For Upcoming Budget, Legislative Session

Public school administrators released their policy priorities for the next legislative session and biennial budget on Wednesday.

The 44-page document released by the School Administrators Alliance highlights an agenda that calls for increased funding for early childhood education, student mental health programs, initiatives to retain and recruit teachers, and educational innovation.

“Our members have become increasingly concerned that education policy in Wisconsin is developed largely based on ideology and emotion rather than on the evidence of what scientists say actually works out there for our children,” said John Forester, the SAA’s director of government relations.

Republican leaders so far have been discussing a different set of educational priorities, including the statewide expansion of the voucher program, replacement of the state’s academic standards, and retooling the school accountability system.

Forester said that he hopes that Gov. Scott Walker and legislative leaders will consider the SAA’s work. He said the alliance wants to start a conversation with parents and communities that focuses on evidence-based policies that he said are best for kids.

Kristine Gilmore, the superintendent of Weston’s DC Everest School District, said she was hopeful that there can be a bipartisan consensus on education policy.

“I think most people are really excited about what’s going on in their local public school and no matter what side you are on the aisle I think that we can all come together on what’s best for kids,” she said. “Especially when we think about our local school districts, we still have local control and boards that were selected by members of our community. And I think we look to them for their guidance on what we’ll be doing.”