Cuts will hurt education

by J. Patrick Reilly

The never ending battle to save public education took another hit when the supreme court overruled a lower court decision and allows the return of mass firings.

Earlier this year a lower court ordered the firings of at least half the department by order of President Trump to be paused.  That ended Monday and by August 1 half the workforce will be out the door.

Trump’s pick to lead the department, Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon,  described the court’s decision as a “significant win for students and families.”

“We will carry out the reduction in force to promote efficiency and accountability and to ensure resources are directed where they matter most — to students, parents, and teachers,” she said. “As we return education to the states, this Administration will continue to perform all statutory duties while empowering families and teachers by reducing education bureaucracy.”

So how is returning the brunt of the education needs to the states going to work for Wisconsin?

We will have to wait and see but with the lack of funding from the state, most school districts are forced to go to referendum to meet educational needs.  With the unveiling of new tariffs on a frequent basis money is getting tighter and referendums are becoming hard to pass.

Something has to give and that will only happen if our legislative leaders give some help.  

It is time to speak up and if there is no listening then the next step is the ballot box.