http://www.wisconsinnetwork.org/
WHAT: A 60 mile march from Palmyra, Wisconsin to Madison to stand up for the budget our kids deserve, including a 60% reimbursement of special education costs, which was cut from the budget by the Joint Finance Committee (along with $900 MILLION in other public school aids) from the education budget proposal put forward by Governor Tony Evers. By the end of the month, lawmakers will vote on a final budget and we want to see those funds restored.
The march will set an ambitious pace of 20 miles per day, and marchers are invited to join along the way for as much or as little as they wish to walk, or to cheer marchers along at the start of the day and at local rallies along the way. The march will end in Madison where we will call on state leaders to pass the budget that is best for kids by meeting the priority needs of our children. We encourage you to walk at your own pace – we will help everyone “catch up” for the whistle stops and end-of-day points. Whether you can join us for 60 feet or 60 miles, or as someone who wants to cheer for the cause, you are welcome in this action – RSVP below!
WHO and WHY: ALL SUPPORTERS OF STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS and all who are ready to say ENOUGH to an era of underfunding and underserving our children. We demand funding fairness, and we’re not going to get there with a budget that doesn’t even keep up with inflation. We are done cheering for budget crumbs and demand the state meet its obligation to Wisconsin’s children.
WHEN AND WHERE: ** All times and locations are tentative. Final schedule will be published when confirmed. ** Schools listed as placemakers until confirmed. Daily walk time is approximately 8 hours/day (with stops for breaks, lunch)
Sat June 22: Palmyra to Fort Atkinson HS | 18 miles
Sun June 23: Fort Atkinson to Deerfield | 16.5 miles
Mon June 24: Deerfield to Sun Prairie | 17.5 miles
Tues June 25: Sun Prairie to State Capitol | 14 miles total | Last stretch: ALL STATE CALL TO ACTION: Join us for the last 2 miles! Meet at 12:30 at Madison East High School
Sat June 22
9:00 am Rally and March Launch – Palmyra
March 8.4 miles to Hebron
12:30 pm Lunch/Whistlestop – Hebron
March 9.5 miles to Fort Atkinson
5:00 pm Fort Atkinson High School
Sunday June 23:
8:30 am Depart Fort Atkinson HS
March to 10 miles to Cambridge (rest stop in Oakland)
12:30 pm Lunch/Whistlestop – Cambridge
March 6. 5 miles to Deerfield
5:00 pm Deerfield High School
Monday June 24:
8:30 am Depart Deerfield High School
March 9 miles to Marshall
12:30 pm Lunch/Whistlestop – Marshall HS
March 8.5 miles to Sun Prairie
5:00 pm Sun Prairie Patrick Marsh Middle School
Tuesday June 25:
8:30 am Depart Sun Prairie High School
March 10.5 miles to East High School
12:30 pm Lunch/Whistlestop East High School
March 2 miles to State Capitol
2:00 pm Arrive State Capitol
A
At Oak Creek Joint Finance Committee meeting
WHY ARE WE MARCHING TO MADISON?
In May, the Joint Finance Committee cut $900 million from the Governor’s education budget. The budget currently on the table doesn’t even keep pace with inflation, but is being touted as a “major investment” in public schools.
We are saying: ENOUGH. STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH OUR KIDS AND DO YOUR JOB.
We are calling on all lawmakers to restore this essential and feasible funding to the budget before they send it to the Governor’s desk. Specifically, we are calling for a restoration of the special education funds (to a 60% reimbursement level), mental health aids, poverty aid, and aid for English Language Learners that was cut from the budget.
Milwaukee school board member Megan O’Halloran first announced that she intends to march to Madison to draw attention to the inadequacy of state funding for so many districts around the state. We applaud her willingness to take a public stand and the immediate offer of many others to join her. It seems clear that there are many people around the state who have testified, sent letters, and feel ignored – they are looking for ways to be heard and do all they can in the final days before the budget is passed to call for fair funding and make sure the budget that gets to the Governor is one that meets our kids’ needs.
QUESTIONS?
For more information, email Heather DuBois Bourenane at hdb@WisconsinNetwork.org
