GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - Local school districts have growing concerns about Governor Walker's proposed budget.
They have had more than a week now to crunch numbers and say the impact to students will be significant.
Thursday, Wisconsin Schools Superintendent, Tony Evers gathered public school leaders from across Northeast Wisconsin.
They share a common concern about the quality of education for close to 900,000 students in the public system.
"Public education is not important because it serves the public, its important because it creates the public" says Green Bay Superintendent Michelle Langenfeld.
The Green Bay District figures it will have to cut between $5 million and $6 million from its budget if the governor's plan is approved.
Local schools are still trying to absorb significant cuts made in our current budget.
"This means cuts in services and a reduction in our workforce. In Seymour we have 14 fewer teachers than we did five years ago" explains Peter Ross, Superintendent in the Seymour School District.
"It has made it more difficult to fund and put money in our classroom and we would really like to see more local control allowing the school boards to decide how the money is spend" says Nathan King, a member of the Seymour School Board and parent in the district.
Under the proposal for 2013-2015 resources will be about the same as five years ago.
"It is not feasible to expect school district to maintain high quality programming, existing staff levels, and high quality staff" says Appleton's Superintendent Lee Allinger.
Nine districts would lose even more state funding through a proposed expansion of the voucher program.
"This does not should like a choice program for low income students, it sounds like a taxpayer funded scholarship program for our private schools" says Brenda Warren, President of the Green Bay School Board, and also a parent in the district.
Our state's top education official says the budget plays favorites.
"A $1400 per student increase for private schools a zero dollar increase for public schools that lead the nation in graduation rates" explains State Superintendent Tony Evers.
These educators want the voucher issue removed from the state budget so it can be voted on separately.
If you feel strongly about the budget school officials say the best thing to do is contact your local lawmakers.
