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http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/mar05/313442.asp
He says school spending has gone up faster than taxpayers can afford
By ALAN J. BORSUK
aborsuk@journalsentinel.com
Posted: March 28, 2005
<snip>
In this race, a key issue for him is spending on schools. He argues that it has gone up faster than taxpayers can afford, yet the DPI, teachers unions and others don't want to discuss changes that would save money. Underheim says, "We've got to talk about more than how to raise more money." He strongly supports Republican ideas on limiting taxes.
Would it be a plus or minus to have a state superintendent who didn't like being a teacher and has a short record of hands-on involvement in education? How you answer will say a lot about how you're going to vote.
Ken Cole, retiring executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, says Underheim is bright and a good listener, but added, "I don't think he's very knowledgeable at all" on education issues.
Underheim says he hopes his candidacy is at least prodding debate about education. He likes debate. In the Legislature, he says, "My opinion matters on things I care about. That is fun . . . . You're in the fight."
<end>
The establishment of the Revenue caps (along with the QEO) on schools in the early 90's has restricted growth in school spending and even caused my school district and many others to cut its levy, in my case by 24% this year, the highest cut in the state. Now they have to go to the community like paupers and ask for more money in a referendum to maintain services at their current level.
What the hell is in the water that makes this fool think he can run for state school superintendent? And why isn't Libby Burmaster out there screaming about his stupidity and the starving effect of state imposted caps on schools?
Schools have already had to live under a program akin to TABOR for over 10 years. If we don't fix it, our great public school system will begin to die a slow death. In know of several school districts in my area as well as other parts of the state who have do-or-die referenda on the ballot this spring. Failure means loss of services, school closings, and even district consolidations. These aren't light consequences - the burden will fall unfairly and most squarely on the kids while communities will be torn apart.
If Underheim gets more than 25% of the sheeple vote, I'll take it as a sign that this state's fast becoming a lost cause.
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