45. Tosa's Finances, Academics, and Teachers

CORRECTION: At one point in this episode, I say that the 2024 operating ref was "2m for curriculum, 8m for teachers, and 54.4m" to cover deficits. 8m for teachers is correct, but it was 4m for curriculum and 52.4m for deficits.This episode reviews some basic facts about these three important issues and what our conversations around them are like. The major goal is to help community members and school board candidates better articulate their positions. Everyone is for improving district finances, or for academic progress, or for teachers. Do we all mean the same things, though?LINKS:Tosa 2075 task force reportSecondary ad-hoc facilities page.**FINANCES**Wisconsin DPI all-staff (salary) report portalWisconsin DPI comparative cost dataWisconsin DPI comparative revenue dataWSD's financial transparency site (through ClearGov.com)WSD's budget and audit information2024 budget error records, part 1 and part 2WSD's 2024 Referendum Site (incl survey results)WSD's 2024 Referendum Progress Reporting**ACADEMIC PROGRESS**Tosa's report card pageStatewide ACT/Forward data**TEACHERS**Steven Brill's "The Rubber Room" (2009)Vlad Kogan's No Adult Left Behind (2025)WPR piece on teachers' health-care costs (2025)Statewide school funding data (2025)