A whole week’s worth, so some of it will be stale, some of it not. It’s kinda random what made cut one, still working on part II and possibly part III (Edgewater only) . . . more to come later today. . . since I have the day off.
CHANGES AT THE ORPHEUM
Well, changes back to the way things were once upon a time. But, will this business plan really work? “Broadway-style productions, dance recitals, ballets or operas even”? I sure hope so! The Orpheum is a gem and I hope it works.
NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THIS IN THE STATE JOURNAL
Even tho the story was a week old, they finally printed it. I’m kind surprised. I expected them to bury it. And of course, here’s the editorial from the Cap Times on the same issue. The Wisconsin State Journal updates the story today . . .
MORE FAIR HOUSING COMPLAINTS SETTLED
Wow, I haven’t seen this much fair housing news in years!
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council is proud to announce the settlement of two recent fair housing complaints. Please click on the links below to learn more about each case!
Appleton Race Discrimination Complaint Settles
Lakisha Jackson, an African American resident of Appleton, has settled a race-based housing discrimination complaint against an Appleton-area business, which will pay Jackson $22,500 to settle the complaint.Madison Family Status Complaint Settles
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council has prevailed in a fair housing complaint against the owners and managers of the Lexington Green apartment complex in Madison, accused of discriminating against families with children.
WHO’S GOING TO PAY THAT $30M?
The county needs an integrated radio system, but who should pay for it? Here’s a press release on the issue. Verona’s not on board.
RUMMEL THE LORAX
She speaks for the trees. Hopefully this ordinance will help! And we won’t have any more damage from construction.
HEY FOR HAITI
Sat. January 30
High Noon Saloon, True Endeavors, & WORT 89.9FM presentsSay Hey For Haiti
WORT to Broadcast Live from High Noon Saloon
Tropical Riddims 12 – 2pm
Mash’Allah Reggae Band (12:30 – 1:00)
Roots Collective (1:30 – 2:00)
PanAfrica 2 – 4pm
Tani Diakite (2:30 – 3:00)
!Que Flavor! (3:30pm – 4:00pm)
La Junta 4 – 6pm
Handphibians (4:30 – 5:00)
Tony Castaneda Latin Jazz Band (5:30 – 6:00)12:00PM / $5 cover / 18 and up / Event will run from 12pm – 6pm, Minors welcome if accompanied by legal guardian.
STREET VENDING
Who knew this was such a hot topic?
UNIVERSITY AVENUE
Somehow, limiting vending in a commercial area doesn’t make sense to me unless it is a safety issue of some type. Bringing more vitality and life to the streets seems like a good problem to have.
ALLEDGED DRUG ACTIVITY
This seems goofy. The police didn’t come to the vending committee with their concerns. They’re not exactly known for being shy about these types of things. So, what’s up? Is this just a matter of the competition trying to get a leg up? Or are there legitimate concerns?
BACKGROUND CHECKS
None of the articles actually say what kind of background checks they are talking about? Business references? Criminal Backgrounds?
WIENIE GATE
Sounds like the vendors by Memorial have been denied!
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMMENT
ZWIEFEL ON COOLEY
There’s a fine line between opening up a dialog and sticking your foot in your mouth. I’m all for discussion and conversation, but it’s how you do it that sometimes rankles people. I know, look who’s talking, but if you’re going to raise issues, you should be prepared with a way to discuss them and facts to back you up. Randomly wondering aloud probably isn’t the best way to do it.
SOGLIN ON COOLEY
Um Paul, you might want to listen a little more closely to how Cooley talks about poor people. He clearly doesn’t want “those people” here. I don’t think he’s going to be the champion you are looking for to combat poverty, unless it is to push poor people out of Madison. I’d consider it a victory to hear our Economic Development Director talk about living wage jobs, but I don’t think we’ll ever hear about jobs for the poor.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAN BE DANGEROUS!
I hope this person is ok. This story doesn’t tell us much.
RAIL
WHERE WILL THE STATION GO?
Well, the money is finally here. Where will the station go? Way back in 2001 I sat on a committee to discuss rail options, we considered the Kohl Center, Monona Terrace, Patterson St, I think a spot on Fordem and the airport. Union Corners and First Street are both new options and its time to take a fresh look at it. Getting past the Monona Terrace was a major roadblock to a campus location, but working out how to work with the freight lines and the disruption in going through the neighborhoods are major issues to be resolved for a non-airport location.
NOT ON BOARD
Phil Hands has another worry, will the rail really go from Chicago to Minneapolis?
WHAT’S NEWS
And, have you seen the “What’s News?” feature at the Cap Times? They do a great job of rounding up all the articles on rail. I like this new feature they have. Maybe selfishly cuz it saves me time, but, I obviously like the format as well.
SCHOOLS
STATE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SPEECH
Here’s some thoughts about why people didn’t know about the speech scheduled for Monday at James Wright School at 7:00. Here’s what actually happened.
FEBRUARY PROGRESS REPORT
MMSD Board of Education Progress Report – February, 2010
Updates from the Board for the month of January:4 Year Old Kindergarten (4K): The Board approved the implementation of a District-wide, community model for 4K. 4K will start in September of 2011. We are still discussing the finance model. We are excited about the start of this program and the benefits it will bring to the community.
Race To The Top: The Board voted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to move forward in the Race To The Top program. This is a competitive grant program run through the Federal government. Federal money will be awarded at the state level, to states who qualify. If the state of Wisconsin receives federal money, MMSD will have the opportunity to apply for some of the state money, if we choose to do so. There are still many unanswered questions on the requirements of the Race To The Top funds.
Core Performance Measures: The Board approved Core Performance Measures for the District. As the Strategic Plan was developed, a series of performance measure were defined to be the barometer by which we assess whether or not the goals and objectives defined in the plan are being met. There are almost 200 key performance measures defined across all strategic goal areas in the plan. The performance measures listed below are considered the “Core” measures. Each measure has a baseline, annual benchmark and target data:
* WKCE reading proficiency percentage, grades 4 and 8
* WKCE math proficiency percentage, grades 4 and 8
* WKCE reading percent above 90th state percentile, grades 4 and 8
* WKCE math percent above 90th state percentile, grades 4 and 8
* Percentage of students on track for credit attainment required for graduation in four years, grade 9/year 1
* Advanced course participation rate
* ACT composite score, percent scoring above 90th national percentile
* Percentage of students above 9 percent attendance rate, kindergarten, grades 6 and 9
* DPI graduation and completion rate
* Percentage of students suspended (in and out of school), all gradesBadger Rock Charter Middle School: The Board received a presentation from a community group focused on starting an environmental charter school, Badger Rock. This would be a middle school located on the site of the former Badger School. The Board reviewed and approved the action of the planning team to submit a planning grant on the project. This will allow the group to do more detailed planning before making a final proposal to the Board.
A Penny for Kids: Wisconsin’s school funding system is broken and is failing our children and our community. Comprehensive school-funding reform is the long-term answer for our schools. To address the funding crisis, Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools has launched “A Penny For Kids” campaign to raise the sales tax one-cent to help fill the gap in public school funding created by the 2009-11 state budget (which was devastating for MMSD) and try to keep a lid on property taxes. The Board voted to endorse the campaign. We hope you will too. To sign the petition and learn more, go to: www.apennyforkids.org
State of the District: The Superintendent presented a State of the District address to the Board and community. To read the report or listen to the presentation, please go to: http://www.mmsd.org/node/5760
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Board at board@madison.k12.wi.us or call me at 516-8981.
Best regards, Arlene Silveira
PROGRESSIVE DANE ENDORSEMENT?
Read more here to find out why they haven’t endorsed in the only school board race.
HEALTHIER LUNCHES PLEASE
I’m surprised we haven’t made more progress in this area, but glad to see it is actively being advocated for.
