The rhetoric around public education has been mind-numbing for quite some time, but this new messaging that Milwaukee Public School (MPS) students “deserve more” than a referendum is particularly maddening.
Yes, students deserve more from our state government which consistently underfunds public education. Over 90 school districts throughout the state are going to referendum and more will follow. The financial realities are hitting every district and if you need a new topic to investigate in your spare time, check out how we fund special education.
Yes, students deserve more from adults who are fully capable of seeing that only two options have been provided for our collective consideration: approve the referendum or approve staffing and services cuts. There is no magical third option.
Yes, students deserve more hope: more visionaries, more representation, more art and music and sports. They should walk into their school and see their stories in every hallway, community support in every classroom, and new possibilities in every lesson.
So yes, our students deserve all of that and much more. But you’re not offering more by voting down the referendum. You’re quite literally advocating for less.
Of course, I’m not suggesting that MPS shouldn’t be questioned. Leadership will continue to have difficult strategic planning sessions about academic interventions worth investing in, schools with dwindling populations, transportation funds, etc. But those questions–and possible answers–are not on the ballot.
Money will not solve all the challenges facing MPS. I don’t know anyone who believes that. Passing the referendum doesn’t provide us with more elected officials who advocate for public education. Passing the referendum isn’t going to get most community members to attend school board meetings, or review the budget at their local school, or volunteer to tutor kids. Passing the referendum won’t mean that kids in Milwaukee will suddenly have access to everything their neighbors have. Those actions require a more expensive investment from all of us: our time, our energy, and our commitment to provide all kids–even the ones we’ll never meet–with the skills and confidence to choose their own futures.
Educators have heard lots of unbelievable arguments but this idea of Milwaukee kids deserving so much more that they must be punished is astoundingly patronizing. The kids deserve more so we should actively rally the people to take away some of what they have now? (Any executives try this approach in their performance evaluations? “Hey Todd, you deserve a much higher salary, but I can’t give that to you right now. Instead, I’ve settled on a 10% paycut.” Make it make sense.)
If you think education funding should take a backseat to another priority, just say that. If you’re not voting for a tax increase for any reason, just say that. If you’re hoping the private schools will one day become the only educational option, just say that. But the kids deserve more so we’ll vote for cuts? Please stop. We’re exhausted.