Let's show the board we want to invest in education

Public Forum:

In this time when the state has a huge deficit to overcome, we need to step up as a community to protect what is important. The Journal Sentinel reported that the new state leaders are "considering making sizable cuts in aid to schools over the next two years." The Elmbrook School District has long been known for its outstanding educational program. Many residents have specifically moved to Brookfield/Elm Grove because they value the high-quality education that our district expects and delivers. For that reason our community attracts motivated, high-achieving individuals and families, people who not only care about the quality of education but the quality of their community. People who volunteer their time and money to ensure the standards that we have come to enjoy. All districts are experiencing increasing costs and decreasing funding. You can only cut so much before it makes a negative impact on our program. Do you value education? Do you value your community and property values?

4-year-old kindergarten is a current debate in our community. Eighty-five percent of districts have K4. It is clear that young families place great value on K4. Realtors report clients not buying in Elmbrook because we do not have K4. It also provides additional funding to help maintain our high standards. Some say the 60 percent of residents having no school-aged children do not want the tax implication. (The tax impact is estimated at $100 for a $300,000 home, however with declining enrollment your tax bill will likely remain unchanged.) I don't believe residents do not value a strong competitive school district or that they wouldn't be willing to invest $100 to help maintain the quality of education that drew them to this community. Those making this assumption are not giving much credit to our elderly residents. Our elderly community is made up of well-educated retired professionals, educators, grandparents of Elmbrook students, etc. I don't believe that our community does not value quality education and would rather see our district cut programs, teachers and increase class size.

Priorities? We spend $100 on shoes or dinner out, but we are not willing to invest in education?

Please take the time to contact School Board members and let them know that our empty-nesters and elderly population value Elmbrook education and want to maintain the reputation of being a school district and community of choice.

Sandra Schultz

Elmbrook School Board candidate (at-large seat)