Wisconsin's Revenue Caps for public education never promised to make schools better. They were adopted in an effort to provide property tax relief for all communitites across the state. Ten years of Wisconsin Revenue Caps for our schools have resulted in annual cuts to academic programs in local school districts state wide. More than one-half of Wisconsin school districts reduced programs for gifted and talented and at-risk students. In addition, 57% reduced the number of courses offered; 54% reduced courses in art, music, theater, and vocational education; and 49% reduced summer school programs..

The latest revision of the main federal education law, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, passed by Congress in 2001 and signed into law by President Bush in 2002, implements dramatic changes to federal education laws. The Bush administration refers to the revision as the "No Child Left Behind" which is very misleading. The law is extremely controversial, largely because it strongly emphasizes standardized test scores in math, science, reading and writing, that rob school districts and their boards of control over the content of their educational offerings. Critics say the law is severely underfunded, forcing cuts in traditionaly offered programs that directly affect children in order to comply with the law.

For decades the West Allis School District has maintained a comprehensive, well rounded educational environment for the children in our community. In an effort to keep those programs, administrative school services experienced drastic cuts over the first nine years of Wisconsin Revenue Controls. Since "No Child Left Behind" was enacted, the West Allis School District has had to make cuts in programs that directly affect children.

For example: according to DPI statistics, school enrollments in the West Allis Public Schools have dropped from 8,949 (1999) to 8,787(2004) for a 2% decrease. Through attrition and layoff, the Instrumental and Vocal Music staff in our schools has decreased by 33%. The School District has also been forced to reduce staff in Phy Ed and Art by more than 15% over the same time frame. Class sizes in our middle and high schools are going up.

Over the last year, Central High School has lost the Instrumental and Choral lesson programs.The 2003-2004 school year will be the last year that group lessons will be offered at Frank Lloyd Wright and West Milwaukee Middle Schools. Vocal Music, Art and PhyEd classes for youngsters in all of our elementary schools are reduced by almost a third for the 2004-2005 school year.

The West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board has warned repeatedly that there is no more room to cut the budget, yet state and federal funding for our schools dwindles every single year. The quality of life and property in our community continues to be affected by Wisconsin's Revenue Caps and efforts to meet the demands of "No Child Left Behind".

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