This week, Rotarians heard from new Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Dr. Carlton Jenkins that there is a critical need to pass referenda on the November 3 ballot. Board Chair Gloria Reyes was also in attendance.
There are two referenda questions. The first seeks $33 million for operations such as full day 4K education; language classes, arts/music/science, and strategic equity projects.
The second questions seeks $317 million to replace aging facilities. This equates to $50/year for every $100,000 in home value. Overall, the referenda totals $350 million over all years.
If the referenda fails, Jenkins says they will continue to work with reciprocal accountability to seek the resources needed for the job.
Jenkins said, “We look to collaborate with One City School and others. We have reciprocal accountability, and we will build on those relationships.” He reported over 100 MMSD science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) students are collaborating with Madison College and also looking at skilled trade and other pathways. “Children are interested in many programs, he said. “We want to give them the skillsets they need to have a choice of what they want to do in the future.”
Community collaboration plans from food distribution to college planning were also shared.
When asked if he would build on plans of the previous administration or make his own plans, Jenkins said he has read existing plans, will build on them and quoted Maya Angelou, “When we know better, we do better.”
Before coming back to MMSD, Jenkins previously served as Superintendent of Robbinsdale School District; prior to that served as Chief Academic Officer for the Atlanta Public School System. He earned his PhD and MS degrees from UW-Madison. He holds a BS degree from Mississippi Valley State.
If you would like to learn more about the referenda, visit: https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/2020-referenda-future-ready.
Our thanks to MMSD Superintendent Carlton Jenkins for speaking to our club this week. We also thank Valerie Renk for preparing this review article, and, if you missed our meeting this week, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/CaLtyeAnWhg.
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 