City Times Staff

A special presentation will be held regarding the effect of voucher programs on Wisconsin schools this Monday.

In partnership with the Wisconsin Rapids League of Women Voters, the Central Wisconsin Public Education (CWPE) Network will give a presentation on March 20 and 6:30 p.m titled “Wisconsin’s Voucher Program: How is it Affecting Our Public Schools and Our Children?”

This free presentation is open to all students, parents, educational professionals, and citizens.

Since 1990, Wisconsin taxpayers have spent over $1 billion on vouchers, and the legislature recently expanded the program to all school districts statewide. Every district will increasingly be affected through time. According to the CWPE, public schools experienced historic budget cuts and shortfalls.

“School vouchers are one of the leading educational concerns of our times,” said Jeffrey Leverich, senior researcher for the Statewide Teachers’ Union, who will be speaking on the issue. “Our state is becoming increasingly generous with them and they are clearly having adverse impacts on public schools and who controls funding for public education. It is time to slow down their growth and understand their long-term implications,”

There will be a question and answer period following the presentation. You can catch this inside the McMillan Library All Purpose Room, located at 490 E. Grand Ave.