NURTURE QUALITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
It’s happened. The Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee has approved an expansion of the school voucher program as a part of the two-year budget bill. According to the bill vouchers will be available for up to 1 percent of a district’s total enrollment for the 2015-16 school year. That limit would increase 1% a year, and after 10 years there would be no cap. Once the cap is completely lifted, school districts could face laying off teachers or closing. Unless Democrats are elected to change this course, we will see the end of public education in Wisconsin.
The Shawano Democrats are doing what they can to spread the word about what is happening to education. The effort includes the placement of signs with the progressive message: “Be a Caring Citizen; Nurture Quality Public Schools.” In addition Education will be the topic in Letters to the Editor, in conversation on the WTCH Breakfast Club, and in a brochure that will be handed out at our booth on June 13th at the Jumpin’ June Jamboree and in parades.
NEW LEADERSHIP
The delegates to the Democratic state convention elected a new party chair on June 6th. Martha Laning, a businesswoman from Sheboygan, was elected Chair and David Bowen, an assemblyman from Milwaukee, was elected Vice Chair. Martha’s number one goal is to improve our messaging making sure we communicate our values. She also wants to strengthen county parties and address low voter turn out during midterm elections. She has a new, fresh vision for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
FUTURE GOALS
The Shawano Dems are working to grow our party and increase our exposure. We are looking to help individuals who are thinking of running for county board positions. We want to do some community volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. We have formed a Writer’s Group who will write Letters to the Editor. Contact us if you would like to be involved in any of these areas.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 11: Listen to the Shawano Dems on the Breakfast Club on WTCH radio 960 AM or 96.1 FM from 8:00-9:00 a.m.
June 13: Visit our booth at the Jumpin’ June Jamboree in downtown Shawano. Pick up a brochure on education.
June 17: Frank Ingram from the Brown County Dems will talk about the VAN, a computer system which is used to identify Democrats. The Civic Center doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for refreshments. The Dems meeting will follow.
July 1: Executive Committee Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Center. This is open to all DPSC members.
July 4: Look for our float in Bonduel’s parade.
Dates for your calendar:
July 30: Summer picnic
October 10: Fundraising dinner.
CHAIR’S COLUMN
Jan Koch, Chair 715-526-2955
Rick Adamski, 1st Vice Chair 920-833-6704
Dan Weidner, 2nd Vice Chair 715-250-1212
Website: https://shawanocountydems.com
Facebook: “Shawano County Democrats“
In our “Winning Through Community Connections” training we were encouraged to spread our progressive messages when talking to friends and neighbors. The education brochure we have put together has several talking points that can be used in those conversations. These will be distributed on June 13th in downtown Shawano as well as at the Wittenberg, Birnamwood and Gresham parades. The narrative is also being sent to with this newsletter either through the mail or email. Please take the time to read it and use it to spread the word. We must keep our public schools from being privatized.