Cara Fitzpatrick is an independent education journalist in New York. She is currently writing a book on the history of school vouchers and she recently shared her notes on Twitter from a reporting trip to Milwaukee — the experiences and commentary from students, parents and school board members caught my eye as important content in real time. Click here to read more about Cara’s work as a journalist, which includes a Pulitzer Prize.
Thank you Cara for sharing your reporting with the rest of us! Hope you enjoyed those wings.
“At the board meeting last night, the board was discussing a referendum for more operational funds. It will be on the ballot in April. District officials say funding hasn’t kept up with costs.”
When a public school district says they have to run a bond to pay for increases in costs, we MUST ask “show us the complete list of items that are built into the increased costs”. Most people know the bureaucratic model of public school operation is exceedingly expensive. I have to wonder if the school board mentioned in Cara’s notes is poised to give salary raises to all six figure salaried administrators….and building those raises into their definition of “increased costs”. I hope Cara can investigate the claims. Perhaps she might also be able to find out precisely (no blanket reasons) why those school board members remain opposed to funding schools of choice. Meanwhile, as in so many other districts across the nation – kids are subjected to a more and more diluted quality of education as public school district bureaucracy appropriates more funding for their personal enrichment.