Speaking as a citizen, I wish that statement wasn’t true. Of course, schools themselves and the educational content shouldn’t be political, but unfortunately, politics affect our schools every day, NO MATTER WHO IS IN OFFICE. The Monday, Feb 10th, 2025 Board Meeting will provide a prime examples. I encourage everyone to listen in or attend, especially for “Presidential Executive Orders and their Impact on the Wauwatosa School District, our Students, Staff, and Families“.
Politics affect school safety policies. Recently, the implementation of Act 20 required changes in literacy education. It affects public school funding. Our school board has a Legislative Advocacy Committee in which a main goal is lobbying for policies that are good for kids and public schools. Part of a school board member’s role is to be an advocate with our other elected officials. We need to bring our local community’s voice to those that control funding, policy and laws over how our children are educated and protected for while in the care of WSD Staff.
Politics and power struggles are always at play… As a District we are battling with the state legislature… challenging them to DO BETTER, DO THE RIGHT THING… they need to fund special education properly. I insist that they fund it at 90% rather than 30%. That won’t get done without advocacy and a whole lot of NON-PARTISAN politics. I welcome constructive discussion and difference of opinions. Seeing situations from multiple points of view and making informed decisions with critical thinking is a key component.
On the national stage, we should be looking at all of the rapid executive orders. The District and Legal Counsel have been working on how these things affect our teachers, kids, and families and will provide guidance. Simply ignoring these very politically driven actions, looking the other way, or dismissing them as unimportant is how we give up local authority, autonomy, and the agency for our community to shape the way our children are educated.
My opponent has used the term “No Politics Zone” many times. He has said a “No Politics Zone is all about: cutting through the noise, focusing on what matters, and keeping our district on track for long-term success.” I would say we see eye-to-eye on the end goals… but I don’t see how those results can be achieved without working with our legislature and the politicians to get there.
I guess he and I can agree to disagree on a “No Politics” stance… and that’s OK.
Monday Feb 10th’s Board Meeting has an agenda item titled “Discussion – Presidential Executive Orders and their Impact on the Wauwatosa School District, our Students, Staff, and Families”. District Legal will be there to inform the Board and the Public on what these things mean as it relates to how our District operates. From what I can make sense of in my personal interpretations are that this board (and likely the next board after April 1st) will need to address policy on things like:
- Title IX
- Policies, procedures & practices for referencing gender
- Signage and other physical facilities issues
- Gender support plans including FERPA and public records considerations
- Bullying polices, procedures, and related training
- Mental health and other support services available to ALL STUDENTS
- Record-keeping by staff and the role of FERPA and pupil records laws
- And likely many more as the situation adapts…
All members will have the chance to ask ANY questions of the presenters. If you have questions, reach out to any of the board members.