Recently State Rep. Scott Newcomer wrote a guest opinion in another publication which was titled:  "Wisconsin’s school systems should teach money management."  Scott used April, which is recognized as Financial Literacy Awareness Month, as the springboard highlighting the need to raise financial understanding through the school systems.

Well written, his column acknowledges the need for (and lack of)  parental advice in these matters. It goes on to state "less than half of college students polled said their parents made a conscientious effort to teach them.I find it inconceivable that such a vital topic is left out of the school system and placed solely in the hands of the public. As parents, many of us often times find ourselves puzzled by the task of assisting in our children’s math or science homework. Despite this truth, the majority of college students cite parents as their primary source of information on money management, yet less than a quarter of them feel prepared for the financial challenges awaiting them. This illustrates the fact that additional education from schools is needed in order to improve the quality of the information flowing in the public sphere."   "...I feel that each individual school district, if it is not already doing so, should strive to implement financial education requirements."

Please stop there!   Yes!  -  Yes!  -   NO!

YES - Rep. Newcomer is correct that there is a need for better understanding of financial matters for our youth. Issues grow more complex daily and the financial challenges and machinations facing this generation are significant. Simply - there is much to learn and little done about it.

YES - Rep. Newcomer is correct in calling attention to the frustrating stats which reflect that only a minority of college students feel prepared for the oncoming financial challenges. The grim realities are that parents do not have a "warm and fuzzy" when working with their own children in these areas. The best teaching tools would be a family's own finances, but many parents truly do not want their offspring delving too deep into their checkbook, investments, credit card obligations, etc.. No further explanation is needed for most parents...

 NO! - Rep. Newcomer is absolutely incorrect in his thoughts that each school district should strive  to implement financial requirements! While I totally agree on the need for basic training in finances, I challenge Rep. Newcomer on where the responsibility lies. Every news publication in this State has weekly articles, stories, letters to the editor, and more which bring into laser-like focus the core issue - The State Education System is broke! The current funding formula demands cuts and improvisations to school budgets across the State!  Waukesha has been particularly hard-hit for many years, and there are no "Bright Tomorrows" on the horizon here.

The breakdown between Scott and myself occurs because... These Districts cannot currently fund the State mandates for education! The very last thing on the agenda for most districts these days is adding curriculum at additional costs. Heck - I favor many areas where I believe education in the early years will pay dividends for our youth for years to come: Renewed second language emphasis; expanded tech-ed offerings (the building trades are worried about the coming years); basic home computer maintenance; career planning; current world politics; and the list goes on...

The chasm in thought processes between us is succinctly demonstrative of the issues we as constituents and voters face with many of our State representatives. Unfunded State mandates to school districts are a major contributing factor to many school budget dilemmas. Now we have, in a very deft pen-stroke, a local State Rep doing more of the same. His identification of the need is good: His avoidance of taking a leadership position at the State level to get it fixed is sad. And finally, his "challenge" to the Districts to implement these courses is a classic "Red Herring"  technique of misdirection...

Truly, we deserve (and desperately need) better from our local elected officials in Madison. Maybe early "Financial Literacy" classes would have helped them...

Do people really read the non-headline grabbing, run-of-the-mill, feel good, non-controversial stories concerning education in Waukesha?

This question begs for a different answer then the one I will presumably receive. My work as a Board member with the Waukesha Education Foundation as well as numerous other volunteer positions within organizations supporting our School District obviously makes me a target for criticism when things go awry. It sometimes feels as if some people experience a joyful glee in verbally “piling-on” to missteps by our School Board and District Administration. Yes, these human beings can be occasionally guilty of mistakes and errors in judgment. They would admit to this. But do they deserve the nasty headlines and public scorn when often, but not always, they are juggling the needs of the students against the need for a responsible tax rate?

Well sit up and heap praise upon the School District, the Board, and one very talented Waukesha South high school principal, Mr. Mark Hansen. Mark has recently been named a finalist for National Principal of the Year!

Hats off to our School Board whose policies empower the District Administration to make critical placements like a high school principal without meddling and micro-managing!

Kudos to the District Administration that recognized Mark’s burgeoning talents and matched him (at a very young age) to an environment where they would best serve the students and our Community!

And please join me in roundly congratulating Mr. Mark Hansen. He would graciously accept “congrats”, but he would also immediately follow that with – “there’s still a lot more we can do for the kids.” And his graciousness is totally sincere. Mark Hansen’s ”Glass of Water” is eternally full with the next progressive program, the next student recognition, the next motivational tool for his staff, the next concept where student, teacher, and community all benefit.

My own District experiences have brought me into contact with literally hundreds of teachers as well as the Administration. The closer I worked with them, the more I realized the great majority really care and are impassioned to educate our children well.
Given my first-hand, personal experiences, it is particularly gratifying to see Mark’s work recognized on a much larger stage. Earlier this year, he was named a State Principal of the Year. His selection as a National Finalist now validates the phenomenal efforts Mark has put forth on behalf of South High. Mark’s selection has also brought well-deserved attention to the Waukesha District which has served as an incubator for his many initiatives. He is an overachiever’s overachiever!

Thanks, Mr. Mark Hansen, and good luck when the final votes are tallied! You are deserving of the plaudits and we all congratulate you and your ever-growing family (Are you planning your next child already?). So much good work in such a short time…Truly, your story is one deserving of a blaring, feel-good headline.