A few quick remarks on officials and giving notice of departure. An official who’s not very good, just struggling along, will give ample notice (both implicit and explicit) of a departure. Here’s how to tell: the official will have been a second or third choice initially, will try unsuccessfully for years to leave (being rejected…
School District
School District
Keeping up with the Whitewater School District
by JOHN ADAMS •
Over at Walworth County Today and the Janesville Gazette, Kevin Hoffman has solid reporting on the Whitewater School District’s search for a new administrator. It’s the best press coverage of the district available — Hoffman’s stories provide readers insight into the thinking of school board members. His reporting is must-reading for information on the ongoing…
School District
Whitewater Schools’ Coin Flip
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s really no surprise that with a bad state economy, practical limits on academic compensation, and uncertain school finances throughout Wisconsin, that an internal search would seem like a good idea. The Whitewater Schools haven’t done something bold, they’ve done something cautious, in looking for an internal replacement for Dr. Suzanne Zentner. Zentner was a…
Education, School District
Whitewater Has No Reason to Worry About ‘No Child Left Behind’ Results
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s a story at the Gazette, that nicely summarizes area schools’ performance on the federal government’s ‘No Child Left Behind’ (NCLB) standards. Although one school in Whitewater appears on the list, there’s no reason for concern: the challenge is so limited that it holds no overall meaning or statistical significance for our schools. Whitewater shows…
Government Spending, School District
On Whitewater Schools’ Proposed Budget Cuts
by JOHN ADAMS •
The Whitewater Unified School District has a public meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 26th at 7 p.m. on proposed budget cuts. A list of those proposed cuts appears at the bottom of this post, along with an embedded video of the latest school board meeting (from 5.16.11). These cuts (the 5.20 proposal) are significant and…
School District
Zentner and Afterward
by JOHN ADAMS •
Nearing the end of her two-year contractual tenure, Whitewater Schools’ Administrator Dr. Suzanne Zentner has tendered her resignation, for employment in Arizona. One wishes her the best; she’ll do well. Sadly, Zentner’s departure creates significant risks for Whitewater. Although I thought her early months as administrator went poorly, she’s proved to be a significant asset…
School District
Whitewater Schools’ District Administrator Resigns
by JOHN ADAMS •
Dr. Suzanne Zentner will leave the Whitewater Unified School District to take an educational position in Arizona: It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to leave my position here, as I feel we have just begun in many ways. So many of you have made such deep impressions on me, warmly welcoming me…
Economy, Government Spending, Liberty, School District
Extended Contracts for the Whitewater School District
by JOHN ADAMS •
Over a month ago, I wrote a first take on the politics of cuts to state shared revenue. See, Cuts to State Shared Revenue: Whitewater’s Politics of It All (First Take). Much has happened since then. Of the school district, I noted previously that There are so many better and higher tasks than labor disputes,…
City, Education, Government Spending, Politics, School District
State Aid to Cites, Schools Sure to Dry Up
by JOHN ADAMS •
Walker did offer a fuller rationale for his insistence on stripping public employees of their collective bargaining rights. “You’re going to see major cuts in local government,” he said of his upcoming budget, now set to be unveiled March 1. He argued that the only way he can ensure these cuts do not lead to…
School District
Two Hundred Thirty-Two
by JOHN ADAMS •
Education, School District
Charter Schools Naturally Depend on Sound Charters
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ve been asked about a charter school for my small town. Whitewater, Wisconsin may have a public charter school next year. The Whitewater Unified School District received a grant for planning, and may receive additional funding for a school. See, Whitewater charter school on track for 2011. Charter schools typically have support across politics, and…
Laws/Regulations, School District
Wisconsin’s Law on ‘Raced-Based’ School Mascots
by JOHN ADAMS •
Several public schools in Wisconsin have mascots named after Indian tribes, or famous tribal leaders. I’m am neither a supporter nor an opponent of those mascots’ nicknames. Communities in Wisconsin should be free to decide for themselves what they’d like to call their teams. They may choose wisely, they may chose foolishly, but it should…
Government Spending, School District, Taxes/Taxation
An Exercise in Allocating Responsibility
by JOHN ADAMS •
A woodworker builds and sells birdhouses. He gathers materials, maintains a shop, and makes a few at a time for display and sale. To advertise his trade, he puts a sign in the window of the workshop: REASONABLY-PRICED BIRDHOUSES FROM A LOCALLY-OWNED AND OPERATED WORKSHOP ONLY $29.95 EACH A customer visits the shop, takes a…
Government Spending, School District, Taxes/Taxation
An Exercise in Moderation
by JOHN ADAMS •
A man walks into a restaurant, and orders seven cheeseburgers for dinner. Still hungry an hour later, he orders eight more. After just another hour, he looks into his wallet, and sees that he has enough money to order yet nine more. He motions to the waiter, and prepares to order nine burgers. Just as…