It seems that true "local control" began to disappear in statewide communities about 30 years ago. Fixed portions of school budgets can't be controlled by local school boards. Costs of texts and materials can't be controlled. Building costs can't be controlled. Curricula also is somewhat confined to state and federally mandated guidelines and testing models. The only control exerted over the last 25 years has been over employees wages and benefits controlled by a QEO. School boards have had little real local control. If they had it, the entire costs of an education would be borne entirely by local tax burdens. But the sad truth is that state and federal guidelines control the "local" myth. When you cast a vote for a school board member you should not realistically think there will be much "control". Let us hope that what our children's future learning is not controlled or limited, they are the ones who will help us escape from the economic morass in which we are trapped. We citizens have very little control over schools but we can help our children to learn and to question.

A sales tax would make more sense, since typically the people who spend the most (thus having the most disposable income) would pay the most tax. However, in a state that continues to rank high on the list of state taxes, something has to give. At some point, somewhere, there will have to be pain for gain. However, Wisconsin continues to gloss over those details and will continue remain a mediocre state to live in. I guess being an afterthought is OK for some. I'd prefer to see this state as mentioned among the best.

You can jockey then numbers all you want. Fine make it sales tax driven and penalize the lower income folks more who will pay a higher portion of their tighter budgets. Leave it the way it is so I can continue to pay close to $600 per month in sky high idiotic property taxes. Either way you cut it we must expand our tax base. We need to attract more business to this state. We need to be business friendly and I hate to say it folks we are not. Our first question to a business looking to come to WI is how much can we get from you? Oh and don't forget here's some new environmental regulations, oh...wait we also get to tell you who you get to hire and how much you must pay them. Have you filed the proper permits? Better wait a year or two on that. That's right you need an environmental study of your proposed site...that will be two years to complete as well (if ever...yes I've seen this happen in WI). What is that you said? Texas has immediate seating?

I agree with parts of their proposal. Some of the ideas are worth pursuing. I believe we need to eliminate the personal property tax. Period. Every non full time student adult pays a resident fee. Discounts for elderly and disabled. We all use the same roads, police, fire protection, etc. Why should a choice to invest in a community be grounds for penalization?

An increase in the alcohol tax which would allow for complete funding for all associated problems and solutions related to alcohol. The money currently spent in those areas can be directly placed into the coffer of local school districts. A small sugar tax on candy bars, soda, ice cream, etc. This will pay for all school sports, and even be able to fund community adult sport programs. This money will also be directed towards the arts as well. The state needs to provide 2/3 of all school district funding. This would be based on the average cost per pupil in the state. This money could come from an increase in the sales tax statewide.

I personally believe we should just spend less at the state level, and let the local political subdivisions keep more. I also am realistic. No one wants reduced services. If so, be prepared to pay for play.

This is just a tempory solution, same thing will happen all over again soon. so just make necessary cuts and live withing your means like the rest of us.