Widespread Concerns Voiced at DPI Fiscal Rule Hearing
By School Choice Wisconsin
Last Update: Sept. 13, 2004
School leaders and accounting professionals gathered on September 13 to relay their questions and concerns at a Department of Public Instruction (DPI) hearing on proposed fiscal accountability rules for schools in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP). DPI proposed these rules in accordance with Act 155, enacted with support of the school choice coalition. Act 155 gives DPI authority to remove schools from the MPCP that are not financial viable and do not follow sound fiscal practices.
Susan Mitchell, President of School Choice Wisconsin, testified that the choice coalition supports giving DPI "effective tools to address real problems of fiscal soundness and financial viability." However, Mitchell said, that these rules as proposed fail to accomplish this goal and, if implemented, will impose an "undue burden on every school in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program."
See the PDFs below for copies of testimony from the hearing.