This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
Franklin school system scandalous
Let’s see.Franklin administrators and School Board members are aware of and allow Vote YES fliers on the April 3, 2007 referenda to be distributed in school during school time. The fliers are sent home with children.
They are discussed in class.
An “assembly” is held the Friday before the election with voting-age Franklin High School graduating seniors to instruct them on voting. The seniors are also shown a video on the referenda and told that if they vote YES on Question #1 they have to vote YES on question #2.
Again, Franklin school administrators and School Board members are aware of the “assembly.”
Teachers and staff were also aware and involved on the fliers and the “assembly.”
Does this sound familiar to anyone, the whole notion of doing political work during school time?
It should.
The caucus scandal at the state Capitol erupted after accusations that politicians and their staff members were conducting campaign work on state time.
Four state legislators, former Republican state Representatives Steve Foti and Bonnie Ladwig and former Democrat state Senators Brian Burke and Chuck Chvala all struck plea agreements with prosecutors to avoid trials.
Burke and Chvala were sentenced to jail time. Foti's deal with prosecutors entailed his pleading to a misdemeanor and the state recommending 30 days in jail.
A case involving former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen is still pending.
People went to jail for what Franklin officials did. People entrusted with the education of our children were campaigning for a YES vote on school time, when their focus should have been on the instruction of students. If they were state employees, they’d be looking at orange pajamas.
This is serious.
We expect those running our schools to be trustworthy. Our school system, one that has been and remains under investigation by the District Attorney’s office, has lost the respect and trust of its citizens.
The current Franklin school system is in need of a major makeover. Because of the diligence of some FranklinNOW bloggers, the pendulum is starting to swing in the direction of much-needed change. Four citizens have come forward to run for School Board. That wouldn’t have been a prospect just a few months ago.
Recalls down the road are a possibility.
Franklin school officials have had it their comfy, cozy way for too long. Now people are paying closer attention.
In the long run, if the Franklin community isn’t apathetic, they and a reformed school system can be big winners.
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