Home Opinion Jeff Mack: Madison public schools are crucial for our community’s success 

Jeff Mack: Madison public schools are crucial for our community’s success 

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Jeff Mack

As a former Franklin Elementary, Sennett Middle, and West High alum, I can proudly say that the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has been integral to my success. My time in Madison public schools has been excellent because of the diversity of thought and experience my fellow students, teachers, and staff had to offer. I met my wife, my best friends, and my favorite teachers here at MMSD. When it was time for my four daughters to begin their K-12 education, my wife and I made the easy decision to choose Madison’s public schools based on our great experiences. 

Like so many things in our economic climate today – getting a job, finding housing, or receiving a good education – we see how economic gaps play a role in the success and struggles of folks in our community. In a city growing as quickly as Madison, we can identify the need for an institution that welcomes all. This institution works to break the barriers that would otherwise separate us, creating inclusion organically through raising the bar for our entire community. This is the role of our Madison public schools. Our schools offer mental health resources for students, food pantries for the community, and social services staff who work tirelessly to connect families to the resources they need. 

My friends and I have children who are served by talented educators across the entire continuum of teacher qualifications – from English language learners to career technical education and the National Honor Society. A school district that offers this robust assortment of resources requires teachers from a special talent pool to ensure students can reach their full potential. For all these reasons, when the pandemic struck, I quickly found out how poor of a teacher I am, a sentiment I think many parents or caretakers can attest to.

With Dr. Joe Gothard back in Madison as MMSD superintendent, I am even more confident in our school district’s ability to lead Madison through these crossroads. Speaking as a banker, a large component of underwriting the success of an institution is its leadership team’s ability to implement its plan. I believe wholeheartedly in Dr. Gothard and his team’s skill to steer MMSD in the right direction. I believe this so much that I have my most precious assets under his leadership – my four amazing daughters.

However, this job is too big for Joe to tackle on his own. There have been years of funding gaps that have our schools lacking the necessary resources to solve our most pressing issues. He needs our financial support, even more, our schools need our help to make this possible. That’s why I’m voting ‘YES’ on the Madison Metropolitan School District’s operations and facilities referenda on November 5th. Our community will grow to be stronger if we plan now for the next decade and beyond, and supporting our Madison public school students, teachers, and staff is the best way to do just that.