2005-2006

• WSSWA supports the creation of a system to fairly and adequately fund public education in Wisconsin.

• WSSWA supports adequate state funding of special education and related programs, including increasing the reimbursement rate for local special education costs.

• WSSWA supports revenue control flexibility for school districts.

• WSSWA opposes proposals which would limit local government’s taxing and spending authority. [Ex.: TABOR]

• WSSWA supports the placement of a social worker in every school.  All children have a right to services from a school social worker. 

• WSSWA supports increased funding to provide, in all counties of Wisconsin, integrated mental health services (so-called “wraparound services”) for children with serious emotional disturbance.

• WSSWA supports adequate funding to support smaller class sizes, through programs such as Students Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE).

• WSSWA supports legislation to require parity in health insurance coverage for mental health and alcohol/drug abuse treatment (AODA).

• WSSWA supports the Quality Education Coalition’s “Five Keys to Educational Excellence,” based on recommendations included in the report of the Task Force on Excellence in Education:

• Conduct a ‘cost-out’ study to define the staff, classes, facilities and materials cost of providing a sound, basic education and account for extra costs for students in poverty, with disabilities, English-language learners, and rural areas.  
• Support increasing state aid for bussing children, with the money coming from the state’s transportation fund. 
• Provide additional state support for students with severe disabilities and increased state aid for special education. This would mean more resources are available for all other students as well. 
• Provide students a good start with smaller class sizes in early grades, expanded four-year-old kindergarten, more before- and after-school programs, and better day care.
• Increase state aid to educate students with limited English to insure that resources are available for existing academic programs.

Board Approved 5/2005