Wednesday, June 29, 2016

The Kooyenga Revolt



By Jeff Simpson 

Milwaukee Public Schools appointed takeover Czar Dr. Desmond Means has resigned.   Dr. Means was appointed to the position by education non-expert Chris Abele, thanks to a ridiculous bill authored by Dale Kooyenga.  

This left a lot of people disappointed but not seeing the forest for the trees,  

One of the few remaining columnists worth reading on JSonline - James Causey, even did not quite get it.

He was facing a lot of opposition from MPS, teachers and some parents. There were rallies, marches and forums fighting against any changes. When Means and Abele presented a plan to the district to start to fix failing schools, the district countered with a plan of its own.
It makes you wonder why MPS didn't have a plan earlier.
Means said when he volunteered to help lead a state-mandated school turnaround district, that he would not impose anything on the district.
“It is now clear to me that as implementation of the law moves forward, the environment is not conducive to collaborative partnerships – something essential for positive things to happen in Milwaukee,” he said.

First off, its funny to call for a collaborative effort now when there was none that went into writing the bill.   Legislators from outside Milwaukee decided the best thing for the children of Milwaukee was to takeover their buildings and send the kids to unaccountable for profit ventures.  

Secondly, where Mr. Causey says "makes you wonder why MPS did not have a plan earlier", its because no one asks the School Districts for input, We have ALEC for that.  

Maciver Institute, the not very thoughtful tank, based in WI, was upset about it also.  They tweeted the silly words of the bills author - Dale "too many beers" Kooyenga, and Community Activist Jennifer Epps Addison was more than ready to offer up  A PLAN!

 I am sure epic smackdown will send Dale Kooyenga back to the bar to get drunk again,

There is your plan Mr. Causey!   






Maybe Ms. Epps Addison should be the next takeover czar!