With so much on the line this election, I am proud to share that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County (BGCDC) is proudly supporting the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) referenda. This is the first time in the organization’s history we are making an endorsement of a ballot issue, and it’s a privilege that it’s during my tenure as president and CEO. BGCDC represents the largest program partner of MMSD and we recognize the critical need for significant investment in the district. Our goal at BGCDC is to ensure that local children have the opportunity to excel both in our community and on a global stage. These referenda, taken together, will further allow us to pursue this mission together.
The MMSD referenda pose two important questions that present a vision of the future for Madison’s public schools. Question 1 relates to operations and would increase staff salaries, but is also an investment into specific programs that support students and families like 4k and early learning, multilingual opportunities, and special education.
Question 2 is for facilities and is an example of the Madison public school district placing a long term bet into the future of Madison’s growth. This funding is crucial for addressing infrastructure issues like renovating or building new aging school buildings as well as ensuring our scholars and staff are in safe and accessible buildings. The way educators teach effectively and how students learn best are intertwined with modern flexible spaces that meet everyone’s needs. We cannot improve one aspect of the educational experience without also lifting the other.
Supporting these referenda is necessary to create an optimal learning environment for our local students as well as attracting and retaining world-class educators. The challenges posed by ongoing budget shortfalls in our education system – which are a direct result of divestment in public schools – necessitate these measures, which will significantly improve the overall educational experience and outcomes for every child in the district.
This investment is imperative for kids and staff who are here in Madison now as well as planning for the families who will continue to move here by the thousands throughout the next 20 years. The BGCDC board of directors and I firmly believe that Madison students, teachers, and staff deserve the best educational opportunities possible. Further, we trust that Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard, the board of education, and administrative team will implement these funds responsibly and will shape the future of what Madison will look like. We are a city that continues to attract talent and welcome new families, and we need our public schools to be part of what drives people into our community.
