Janesville School Board OKs spending on programs
JANESVILLE — Two programs that keep at-risk students on track and in school got the thumbs-up and funding from the Janesville School Board on Tuesday night.
The programs were at risk of being phased out because grants that support them run out at the end of this school year. They are:
-- The TATE Center, which gives expelled students a place to continue their educations.
-- Two “youth advocates,” who help students of color who might otherwise fall behind in school.
The board voted to add $38,000 to next year’s budget for the TATE center and $90,355 to cover the salaries and benefits of the two advocates. Both programs boasted accomplishments that impressed board members.
The TATE Center was credited with helping 49 formerly-expelled students graduate, which generated $441,000 in revenue, according to a
memo.
The youth advocates, who are black, are credited with serving as role models in a district that has almost no other black adult faces in the schools.
Their efforts are credited with reducing truancies, increasing graduation rates and increasing college visits by students who would be the first in their families to attend college.
Board member DuWayne Severson said the programs are worthy, but he opposes approving the budget piecemeal. Spending items should be weighed against all other items in the budget when the time comes, he said.
Severson noted that various budget scenarios the board is considering for next year call for cutting expenses by as much as $4.3 million.
Severson led a charge to postpone the votes. That effort failed, and the full board then voted unanimously to fund the programs.
The board did vote to postpone a vote on adding a half-time teacher of Chinese until its special budget meeting next Wednesday. The teacher would join the existing full-time Chinese teacher and support the expansion of the Chinese program into the sixth grade.
Apr 29, 2010 at 4:10 p.m.
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P.S. These children bring in a far greater amount of money to the district than the money spent on the TATE Center. That is the direct result of staying in school. Add to that the amount they do not cost for other programs to support them, now and in the future or the the damage that a life of crime can cost both mentally and economically.
If one puts it in strictly economic terms, people could not be against the TATE Center. I do not like to use economics when a compasionate side should prevail, but sometimes that is all some people understand.
Complainers should do the research before complaining and not listen to uneducated rumors or better yet do not start any.
Apr 29, 2010 at 4 p.m.
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Woodsman, you do not get it and probably never will. I feel sorry for you because you will find no joy in life outside of complaining.
Apr 29, 2010 at 11:58 a.m.
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woodsman,
All those other options involved tax money being spent.
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TATE is not babysitting anyone. 40+ kids went on to graduate afte being expelled. The program gets results.
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Yes, some kids have horrible parents and this program has helped 40+ of those kids graduate HS and have a shot of being productive adults.
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I would rather my money go to that than a true babysitting program like jail.
Apr 29, 2010 at 11:48 a.m.
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Why is it MY JOB to babysit these kids,& pay for a babysitter (TWICE)where are the so called parents that let them behave this way? (to NOT follow the rules),to be in this situation?? I would rather send all of them to a boot camp,or a jail,then maybe they would get it,rules are to be followed in life,no matter what your age! Make them do chain gangs picking up trash in the ditches,many ways to MAKE them see the light,without relying on me to pay pay pay to babysit them. You bleeding hearts,gonna save the world,good luck,just can't change the spots if they don't want to,is what it is!
Apr 29, 2010 at 10:34 a.m.
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I ask you,
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WTH.
Apr 29, 2010 at 10:33 a.m.
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How about?
What 14 makes the decision to "use the welfare system"?
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Apr 29, 2010 at 10:33 a.m.
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In addition, what kind of loser refers to a KID as a, "dead beat"?
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Apr 29, 2010 at 9:20 a.m.
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woodsman,
Actually, these are just kids and one of the goals of the program is to get them through graduation and perhaps beyond so they can become productive members of society.
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Woodsman,
where would the expelled kids be if not for TATE? They would be on the streets, likely causing trouble, perhaps breaking the law. Once they do that, instead of attending school, what are the chances that they end up as productive citizens?
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TATE provides these kids a real opportunity to evaluate the decisions they have made and think about their future. Most of the students use that opportunity to improve and many have become productive.
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So the question is...would you rather the district spend money on a 14 year old troublemaker who still has a great chance of becoming a productive member of society?
OR
Would you rather the county/state spend money on a deadbeat or perhaps an inmate? Remember, inmates have victims and victims can be anyone.
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A worthwhile investment by the school board.
Thank You!
Apr 29, 2010 at 8:47 a.m.
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Good job!
Apr 28, 2010 at 7:49 p.m.
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So all these dead beats that prob. are bucking the system by using welfare (our tax money)then don't know how to follow the rules,get MORE of our tax money,by rewarding them to attend some kind of school! WTH!! You low life people sure like spending my money.
Apr 28, 2010 at 7:27 p.m.
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Great move by the Board.
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