At their July 28, 2008 meeting the Board of Education will began discussions of a possible referendum.  After two meetings and two Public Forums, the administration presented their recommendations for a three-year recurring referendum.  On August 18  The Board will amend or  vote on these recomendations on August 25.  They need to hear from us, they need to know a referendum would have support from the community and be aware of what their constituents think is important. Attend the August 25 meeting (their will be public testimony) or contact the Board at comments@madison.k12.wi.us.

We need a referendum.  The school finance system in Wisconsin is creates annual budget gaps of  about 2.3% between the revenue that districts are allowed to collect and what it costs to continue the same level and quality of education.  Each year districts must cut programs and services.  The only alternative is to hold a referendum and ask the tax-payers for the authority to collect more revenue.  Without a referendum there may be about 8.2 million in cuts in the 2009-10 MMSD budget .

In 15 years under this system, Madison schools have eliminated over 600 positions (including about 25 administrators), cut programs and services, and found more efficient ways of doing things. Any further cuts will affect what we value most about our schools.  Our children, our schools and our community deserve better.

If a referendum is placed on the ballot, the timeline will likely be short.  Communities and Schoools Together -- along with other interested groups and individuals -- has begun initial pre-campaign organizing.  We will need help with big and small things.  To get involved, please contact us at madisoncast@sbcglobal.net.

Community and Schools Together Needs Your Help!

Dear Friend of Public Schools,

We really hope you are enjoying your summer. This year's respite from major budget cuts and a school referendum in Madison sure was nice, but now we've got to plan ahead for the next several years of budgeting. The Board of Education has begun discussing the possibility of putting a referendum question on the November 4, 2008 ballot. They will make a final decision by August 25, 2008.

An $8.2 million budget gap anticipated for 2009-10 means that Madison is going to need a school referendum or face crippling, divisive, budget cuts. Community And Schools Together (CAST) is already working in pre-campaign mode. CAST is a grassroots organization in Madison. Its mission is keeping the community support for public K-12 education in Madison strong and tangible. At this time, that means helping pass a referendum.

We have a great community here and great schools; the state funding formula doesn't allow us to maintain the quality of education in Madison that our community deserves, desires and demands. We know our population has greater needs than those of most districts and that we have higher expectations. We are justifiably proud of our commitment as a community to addressing these needs and meeting these expectations. A referendum is the only way we can continue to meet these challenges.

CAST needs your help in support of the November referendum. We need volunteers to help distribute literature, put up yard signs, host house parties for neighbors, write letters to the editor - but most of all we need your support by voting YES on the referendum question.

Our last referendum campaign, which passed in 2006 with 70% of the vote, was funded by roughly $7,000 in donations. This next referendum campaign promises to be more difficult due to more challenging economic times in the community, and we estimate that $10,000 will need to be raised. Please help us reach our goal! An initial donation will allow us to be prepared for the fall campaign supporting the November 2008 referendum. Make checks out to Community and Schools Together, fill out this form, and send to:

Community and Schools Together (CAST)
PO Box 46341
Madison WI 53744-6341.

You can also contribute on-line.

Thanks so much for your work and support for Madison's Public Schools,

Jerry Eykholt
Deb Gilbert
Jill Jacklitz
Thomas J. Mertz

About Community and Schools Together (CAST)

Welcome to the Community and Schools Together, or CAST, website. CAST is a grassroots organization of parents, educators, and community members. We at CAST are dedicated to educating the citizens of Madison about school funding referenda in the Madison Metropolitan School District. We welcome your ideas and involvement as we strive for the successful passage of school funding referenda.

CAST urges you as a taxpayer to educate yourself on the issues and challenges facing our public schools. We want to provide you with information from sources throughout the community and state so that you can better understand the needs of our schools.

If you believe in quality public schools for all as an integral part of our democracy, join us in working to assure our schools have adequate resources. We look forward to sharing a positive message about the future of the MMSD.

Thank You!

"A Slam Dunk for Madison Schools" says the Capital Times, as 69% of the voters in the MMSD endorse the Board's decision to build a new school and refinance debt. CAST wishes to thank all of those who gave their time and support, financial, physical, and moral, to pass this referendum.

The hard work paid off, and the community has spoken and affirmed its commitment to quality education for the present and future students of the Madison Metropolitan School District. Let's build on this decision and continue to work together to make the district even stronger. Thank you!

Referendum Fun!

Vote Yes for Schools Videos on YouTube -- Fun and Educational Blasts from the Past.