Strong Academics

The "Cornerstones of Education" was well received and the CVMCS asked me to publish an opinion in the local paper. The Leader Telegram published the following essay on February 9, 2007. Volume One also published this essay on February 22, 2007.

Educational Priorities

On November 14, 2006, a document was presented to the Eau Claire School Board showing costs for extra-curricular activities for 2006-07. The total costs are $2.2 million. These costs are employee compensation only. This does not include the cost of care and maintenance of multiple athletic facilities. Nor does this include the cost of transportation for extra-curricular activities which comes to $189,191. Revenue from extra-curricular activities totals $120,000. High School Booster Clubs contribute $40,000 per year. Together, these funds are not enough to pay for the busing of Eau Claire’s athletes. The total cost of athletics in Eau Claire School District could fund our community out of the budget deficit.

In comparable school districts the cost is much lower. The number of students served by the extra-curricular services in Janesville is 10,589 while Eau Claire serves 10,809. Janesville’s operating budget is $1.3 million. The number of students served by the extra-curricular services in Sheboygan is 10,278 while Eau Claire serves 10,809. Sheboygan’s operating budget is less than $1 million ($921,552 according to the DPI). What makes Eau Claire cost twice as much to serve the same size student population?

The number of students served by the extra-curricular services in Waukesha is 13,611 while Eau Claire serves 10,809. Waukesha’s operating budget is $1.6 million. The number of students served by the extra-curricular services in Green Bay is 20,314 while Eau Claire serves 10,809. Green Bay’s operating budget is $2.1 million. The number of students served by the extra-curricular services in Racine is 21,175 while Eau Claire serves 10,809. Racine’s operating budget is less than $1 million ($932,016 according to the DPI). The number of students served by the extra-curricular services in Kenosha is 22,131 while Eau Claire serves 10,809. Kenosha’s operating budget is $1.3 million. The number of students served by the extra-curricular services in Madison is 24,452 while Eau Claire serves 10,809. Madison’s operating budget is $2.1 million. What makes Eau Claire cost the same as a student population more than twice the current size?

If per pupil cost in the schools in Eau Claire need to be comparable and financially accountable across the district, then it is time for the school district extra-curricular budget to be comparable and financially accountable across the state.

(All data can be validated at the DPI website: https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/safr/default.asp)

The first step to developing strong academics is to establish learning as the priority for the district. This means placing any items that are extra to the curriculum (extra-curricular activities) on the outside of the budget looking in. The current option list the School Board is considering would close a school before cutting even $100,000 from athletics. What are our priorities? I would never ask my neighbor to pay for my children’s swim lessons. Why would anyone feel comfortable using public dollars to pay for the athletic efforts of a few children through the school? Schools should not be in the business of organized athletics. Schools should be in the business of education. The Eau Claire School District and School Board need to keep this in mind as they approach the coming budget crisis. If we have only enough money to fund K-12 education, that is what we should do. All extra-curricular activities are a luxury that we cannot afford. Once we begin with a solid foundation of academics, the community will invest and grow to provide the luxury items we now protect. When you look at possible options for cuts for the Eau Claire School District, be brave. Weaken luxuries and strengthen academics. Businesses would line up to subsidize extra-curricular activities. They will not jump in to save a teacher. Priorities!

Thank you.

Mark David Miller