By training, I study politics and government. A key question, and one addressed here at New Public Square, is when people get involved in the policy making process. This story details the budget agreement made by the Onalaska school district (and no small feat there...see below).
The quote that struck me, though, was
"The budget was approved after a public hearing in which no one asked to speak, and for that matter, no one from the general public attended."
Are people happy with their system, or too busy to attended, or unsure as to whether or how they can make a difference?
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There are lots of reasons, I think.
*One is that people don't have time to go to public hearings. Everyone is busy.
*Two is that people don't think they can change the system.
* Three is that the school funding system is complicated and people don't understand it.
That's why there's a need for New Public Square. This website is designed to let people learn about school funding on their own time, from home, and get involved on-line in creating and discussing potential solutions.
Maybe more people will attend public hearings if they have learned about the school funding system thru NPS and are engaged in on-line discussions with others.
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