Nicolet Superintendent Rick Monroe's Letter to Gov. Scott Walker on Proposed Budget

March 18, 2013

Dear Governor Walker, Members of the Education & Joint Finance Committees:                  

The Nicolet Union High School District, a high-performing school district responsive to community priorities, has had five students earn perfect ACT scores of 36 in this school year, and 50 of our 257 seniors have ACT scores of 30 or higher. We are proud of our students for achieving the high performance we believe to be essential for competing in the 21^st century global economy.  We believe public schools are the backbone of our nation and that every student in the State of Wisconsin deserves a Nicolet-quality education.

As you enter the debate over the allocation of the $1.3 billion of surplus funds, I am advocating for all students in the State of Wisconsin when I urge you to consider the impact on our schools and communities if the proposed budget is not significantly amended.  The Nicolet School Board, like most school boards, has utilized the provisions available through ACT 10 to change employee contributions to the state retirement system, health-care benefits, and post-retirement benefits to reduce our OPEB liability. These efforts initially eased the negative impact of reductions on per-student funding, but having been utilized, will not offset future required reductions resulting from the proposed freeze on revenue limits.

On behalf of all students in the State of Wisconsin, I urge you to consider the following:

• The revenue limit increases must be tied to the CPI.  All Wisconsin school districts need the capacity to mitigate rising costs for utility, energy, and insurance premiums.  In addition, resources are needed to compensate staff for the performance levels earned and to continue to attract our best and brightest to the field of education.
• Any financial support for choice, voucher, and independent charter schools across the state should not impact the dollars available for our public school students.  All schools supported with tax dollars should be held to the same accountability standards.
• I believe that since Advanced Placement (AP) testing begins May 1 across the nation, the legislated September 1 start date limits instructional time for Wisconsin students to prepare for those high-stake exams; therefore, I request that local Wisconsin school boards be given the autonomy to set their district’s start date for school.

Our communities value the experiences provided for our students and I accept and understand the standards of accountability set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  With adequate revenues and school board autonomy, we can continue to deliver quality education to all Wisconsin students.

Respectfully,

Rick Monroe

Superintendent, Nicolet High School District