Vote YES for Dodgeville school referendum

Dear Sir,

I’m writing to express appreciation for the Dodgeville school district. Our two daughters transferred into the district when they were in 3rd and 5th grade. They both had a great experience with our public schools.

They had excellent teachers, and some standout opportunities to really be challenged in their advanced placement classes. They both felt well prepared and motivated to continue their studies after high school.

The music programs in Dodgeville were a very important part of their education. .

Music training has been shown to foster brain development in so many ways; it teaches how to break down difficult tasks into smaller achievable units, it trains the ear to listen and blend in with a group, it promotes learning skills that lead to a lifetime of enjoyment. Music students learn to maintain poise in stressful competition. They learn the value of regular practice and preparation.

The foreign language classes were inspirational and very valuable. The sports programs gave them opportunities to work together with a team and to focus on personal fitness.

We are very thankful for the opportunities that our kids had during their time in the Dodgeville schools.. The benefits of education go way beyond reading writing and arithmetic. I would argue the the “extras” of music, art, foreign language, and sports are of equal value in preparing young people for a productive and successful life.

Its heartbreaking to see our rural school systems bled dry by onerous cuts in state funding . Most every district in our part of the state have had to go to referendum just to be able to cover the essential operating expenses. Given this funding situation, each community needs to stand up and support the education that our young people deserve. In Dodgeville we have failed to pass two referenda both of which I felt were essential for the system’s continued excellence. My understanding is that our local

budgets have been cut to the bone, failure to pass this referendum could be catastrophic for our community.

Our children deserve the advantages provided by a good education. We need to offer competitive salaries to our hard working teachers. It’s time for us to step up to adequately fund our schools, and come together for the good of our young people and for our community as a whole.

I urge everyone to join me in voting yes when the referendum comes up this spring.

Sincerely yours,

Paul Biere, Dodgeville, WI