Milwaukee German Immersion School

My daughter attends this school. It was an easy decision for us. One, we're close, and two, it's a great school. Their academic performance is top notch. At or near the top in every aspect of education. Good teachers, good environment, and good community involvement.

One would think, given that MPS has had and is having lots of problems, that being able to continue the achievement success wouldn't pose as a problem. But it has. MGIS has already lost an art teacher. They've already lost a tech (computer) teacher. They are now poised to lose both their Physical Education teacher and their music teacher for the fall school semester.

Now, I'm no expert on all the funding facts. But I do know this: enrollment is down, and our taxes went up. Of course, libs want to say the budget has been cut when that's far from the truth. The school board wanted a 16% hike in taxes and settled for a 9% hike in taxes. So, they got more money than last year. How is that a cut? Especially in light of fewer students?

What else do we know? Excessive travel. 9 million in consultants. Which is several million over budget. Buses that run long distances with fewer than 5 kids on them. Lunch programs that feed 4 year olds the same amount of food as 10 year olds. Adult rec programs. I won't even get in to benefits and pensions.

How does a school that performs so well lose two essential teachers?

As one might imagine, this came as quite a shock to us parents . . . not to mention the two teachers who are likely to lose their jobs. Which is strange. If you go to the MPS site, there's a huge push for new teachers. Huh?

The PTA held a meeting last night. Jeff Spence and Bruce Thompson both both attended. Now, let me set this up. The PTA is having a meeting. Everyone is invited to attend to voice their concerns. Jeff and Bruce agree to attend. The school is losing two teachers and, well, we're pretty upset about that. So, what's the first thing out of Spence's mouth?

"Well, uh . . . I don't really have anything prepared, uh . . . (looks at Bruce) do you . . . ? uh, I'm not sure . . . "

That's great. That pretty much set the tone for the whole night. Lots of excuses. Lots of mumbo jumbo. Lots of "there's 7 other board members", lots of "we have a whole district to take care of . . . ", and not one . . . NOT ONE offer of a direct solution, by any means, as to how we keep these teachers. I swear, the word "I" didn't exist in his vocabulary. He DID suggest things WE could do.

Excuse me? Aren't you an elected official meant to represent us?!?!?!?!?!?

Sure, I can call Rep. Sullivan, and I have. Shouldn't JEFF SPENCE do that on our behalf?

I came to the conclusion that Jeff Spence is utterly worthless. He will not go to bat for our school. He will not speak passionately about our problem to the other board members. In fact, it's probably not even on his agenda to bring our problem to the board at all. It is, as it turns out, our problem to deal with.

I know one place to start. Get rid of Jeff Spence. I cannot, I will not, support someone with no regard to the concerns of a school about to lose two great teachers which will, in effect, have a counter intuitive effect on the school and destroy what has taken the efforts of those within that school to build. It will become my mission to get him out of office.

I said I'm no expert. But, trust me, this isn't about the amount of school funding. It's about allocation and how they come about allocating monies. One reason MGIS doesn't qualify for some of the same monies that other schools get is because their aren't enough kids in the free lunch program.

You read that right.

Read what I didn't write. The notion of an equal allocation of money per student?

MGIS doesn't have enough kids in the free lunch program therefore we are going to lose two essential teachers.

Makes perfect sense.

So, in the end, and because Jeff Spence is utterly useless, it's up to us. We virtually have to come up with a way to pay these two teachers for this coming fall. Nothing we do to change the larger scope of any of the issues will happen quickly. If we do nothing, they're gone. Period.

My bet is we'll make it happen. No thanks to Jeff Spence. But it will take some real effort. After last night's meeting, there are a bunch of p*ssed off parents. Yet all committed to help MGIS maintain it's status as a great school. We understand that losing these teachers will cause MGIS to be less desirable. When that happens, the school will start to falter and join the ranks of so many others that have failed due to bad policy.

UPDATE:

For those who were not at the meeting and are wondering about the disposition of Herr Arndt and Herr Warren . . . as far as the budget goes, it's done and they're gone. Come this fall they will not be at MGIS. Hence, the worthlessness of Jeff Spence. He talked from time to time about schools "with need". If losing two essential teachers isn't a need then he or the others shouldn't be on the school board. It's beyond moronic. The MGIS budget is $180,000 short. Dr. Brugger had no other choice than to do what's been done and that's let these two fine teachers go. As far as what can be done . . . from a standpoint of the budget or allocation, nothing timely. Any change in the process will take time. We have two options. Go to the State level and beg. Or, raise the money ourselves. There's a manner in which Dr. Brugger can use the money to pay their wages. A few of us talked about this option. Between private donation, business donation and fund raising, maybe it can get done. Maybe. This is a lot of money. We should stay in close communication and develop strategies to get this done. I already have a list of local German influence businesses that we could bring our story to. Another option is the almost as useless JournalSentinel. If the story gets out, who knows?

One last thing. Particularly in light of the fact that he has his children there, I was very disappointed that Mayor Barrett wasn't there. I know he doesn't have direct influence, but his presence as both Mayor and a parent would have been encouraging. Shame on him.