Fitzgerald doesn't want Flexibility for Public Education

After posting my article yesterday on “Background Checks for Educators,” I thought others might find this exchange of email traffic rather interesting as well, especially the staffer’s use of the word “flexibility.”

Below is a series of email traffic that I exchanged with Senator Fitzgerald’s office regarding a follow up question that I had from meeting with the senator last year in his office at the Capitol.

The exchange brings out my more cynical side because the topic at hand and the flippant remarks by Senator Fitzgerald and his staff really shed light on his political ideology and  true colors towards public education.

Feel free to let me know what you think,


Gary




______________________________________________________________________________

Gary-

Just looking for a quick update from your end.  After the second meeting with the Senator I'm trying to see what questions you still would like answered.

Please let us know.

Thanks,
Tyler

Tyler Foti
Legislative Aide
Office of Senator Scott Fitzgerald
Senate Majority Leader
608-266-5660

______________________________________________________________________________

Tyler,

During our meeting Senator Fitzgerald remarked that legislators as himself did not want to include language in the budget provision on charter schools, to include mandates for private schools receiving public tax dollar funding to conduct back ground checks which public educators are held to. Senator Fitzgerald further said that such a measure would simply hinder the charter schools’ ability to effectively and successfully do their job.

At the time I did not fully understand Senator Fitzgerald’s rational on his claim and our meeting was coming to a close. Would you please explain how such a measure for public safety creates a hindrance to the educational process and would the senator consider supporting a bill to remove the mandate from public educators that was signed into law by Tommy G. Thompson in 1994? Furthermore, what other legislative mandates/laws does Senator Fitzgerald believe exist in public education that would serve as hindrances for private schools being able to have a positive impact on our youth?

Sincerely,

Gary

______________________________________________________________________________

Gary,

Thanks for the email. 

Allowing charter schools to hire without madating a background check gives these schools more flexibility.  Giving charter schools more flexibility will allow for success.  If charter schools and K-12 schools were held to the exact same rules you would create the exact same results.

SS AB-8, the Rules Bill was passed by both the Assembly and Senate and was signed into law by the Governor on May 24th.  Senator Fitzgerald voted for SS AB-8.  Under current law, the Governor still has veto authority and may reatain a rule that the legislature objects to.  Under SS AB-8, the Superintendent still retains all of his power and control.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Thanks,

Tyler

Tyler Foti
Legislative Aide
Office of Senator Scott Fitzgerald
Senate Majority Leader
608-266-5660

______________________________________________________________________________

From: Gary
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 1:54 AM
To: 'Foti, Tyler'
Cc: 'Sen.Fitzgerald@legis.wisconsin.gov'
Subject: RE: Last email

Tyler,

What exactly is the “flexibility” that you are referring to and if this “flexibility” is such a key component to the overall obtainment of success for educating the youth of our state, why don’t the legislators (like Fitz) author a bill to simply repeal the 1994 law from applying to public educators? What other examples of “flexibility” is Senator Fitzgerald willing to offer to charter schools that public schools are not being granted in this effort to promote educational success? Why does Senator Fitzgerald have such a strong compulsion to pour public tax dollars into private schools and religious schools while supporting substantial cuts to public education? If the overarching goal of education for our state youth is success into adult career pathways, why does the senator want to enhance opportunities for private schools and religious schools to succeed when he is not willing to offer the same tools to public education?

Tyler, let’s cut to the chase. So much has already been said publicly about the Koch brother’s position on public education and their historical interests to privatize education. Many are claiming that ALEC promoted legislation with the help of the Koch brothers is helping to further this national agenda in Wisconsin. Show me that such statements are not true. Convince me that Senator Fitzgerald truly cares about the youth of our state and the quality of the education that they receive. Cite specific examples of his efforts to bolster school choice offerings without gutting public education in Wisconsin.

Tyler, these are the types of responses that I am requesting from the senator. Genuine dialogue that demonstrates honesty and transparency not canned rhetoric.  Can I count on you and Fitz to deliver that level of exchange for my questions, or am I asking for too much in the way of intellect on the facts? Again, your lack of discourse towards addressing my questions is not insulting to me as much as it is potentially embarrassing to the senator.

Is there any reason for me to believe that I will not receive a better response to my questions?

Sincerely,

Gary

______________________________________________________________________________