February 29, 2008
The WI Coalition of Virtual School Families received a copy of the following letter today:
February 29, 2008
The Honorable Governor Doyle
Room 113 East
State Capitol
Dear Governor Doyle:
At the onset we want to thank you for making your staff available this Monday for a general discussion about virtual schools in Wisconsin. We hope they found it useful.
As Superintendents of the school districts that operate Wisconsin's major virtual charter schools, we now find ourselves at a critical crossroad. As you are obviously aware, the Assembly and Senate have passed legislation that is in agreement on almost all points, except for how to implement and operate a cap on enrollment in Wisconsin's virtual charter schools. The audit you requested is in both versions. As we have testified and discussed with your staff, we do not believe caps on public school enrollment are sound educational policy, and also these public schools are performing excellently. But we also understand that it is critical we find compromise soon on this critical issue.
That is why we were so pleased to see in the press coverage today that you are willing to discuss compromise between the Senate and Assembly positions. Leadership towards an ultimate compromise is what is desperately needed now. We are confident that if all of the involved parties sit down in good faith, focused on the best interests of our students and our great public school system in Wisconsin, that some reasonable middle ground between the Senate and Assembly positions could be found.
We are writing to ask you to take the lead in making such an important compromise become a reality. We ask that you pull together the leaders on this issue in both houses of the Legislature, and the other directly impacted parties, such as WEAC, the Department of Public Instruction, and representatives of the involved families. We will make ourselves available to participate in such a discussion to help find middle-ground, and finally put this issue behind us. Given the timeframes we are all facing, the sooner this could occur, the better.
Thank you for your attention to this issue. Again, we were very pleased to see your statement that you would like to see compromise between the positions of the Senate and Assembly, and look forward to being your partners in finding that middle ground.
As with the previous staff meeting, your office may contact Superintendent. Schmidt to coordinate logistics among us.
Sincerely,
David Schmidt
Superintendent, Waukesha School District
William Harbron
Superintendent, Northern Ozaukee School District
Larry Brown
Superintendent, School District of Monroe
Dr. Joni Burgin
Superintendent, Grantsburg School District
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