Elmbrook Officials Voice Concerns About Long-Term Planning for Education to Lawmakers

Elmbrook School District representatives expressed their concerns to lawmakers for the need of long-term planning for public education, reported Brookfield NOW.

Representatives, which included Assistant Superintendent for Finance Keith Brightman and School Board Treasurer Glen Allgaier, spoke at the Joint Finance Committee hearing on the state budget held Thursday at Greendale High School.

The hearing was the first of four being held around the state to give residents the chance to have their say on Gov. Scott Walker’s 2013-15 budget. After the hearings, the committee will vote on any changes before sending their version on to the Assembly and Senate.

Allgaier said he presented data that show how over the last decade funding for public education has only gone up 5 percent, while funding for University of Wisconsin systems and healthcare substantially seen an increase, reported Brookfield NOW.

Elmbrook faces a $1.8 million deficit for the 2013-14 budget year.

The proposed $68 billion budget would combine tax cuts with increased spending on transportation infrastructure and private education.

Walker said he would offset the tax cuts and spending increases by shifting some funds away from public schools and healthcare, freezing local government aid and selling some assets, reported Reuters. 

Other Brookfield residents spoke out about funding for special education, long-term care and transit.