Cornell School Board; Education needs to be equitable
Izzy Schwingle, vice president of the Cornell High School Student Council, spoke to the Cornell School Board March 27, about an upcoming blood drive they are hosting for the Red Cross April 19. “Walk-ins are always welcome, but it will be more of a wait,” said Schwingle. Photo by Ginna Young
By Ginna Young
“This is the first time in my 21 years, in Cornell, that we have felt the need to formally ask for an increase in the revenue limit, with the federal ESSER funds being spent and inflation skyrocketing.”
Those words from Cornell School District superintendent Paul Schley, are a grim reminder, that in order to survive, schools must have more revenue, per child, than what they are currently locked in to receive annually. That’s why a resolution was passed March 27, by the Cornell School Board, in support of raising the revenue ceiling limit to $11,500, per child, championed through efforts of the Association for Equity in Funding.
It’s not only financial equity that concerns Cornell, but also social equity. Eileen Sikora, board clerk, reported that she recently watched a webinar through the Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI) about the matter.
“It dealt with all kinds,” she said. Maybe, when thinking of social equity, one thinks of it as having students of color, but in this day and age, it doesn’t just have to do with ethnicity.
“We think of a child who maybe comes from a split family or maybe the children who are being raised by their grandparents, or are in foster care,” said Sikora, adding that some families are struggling to make ends meet. “They come to school in hand-me-downs or they might not have hot water in their house.”
Schley pointed out that while Cornell has a mish-mash of students of different ethnicities, it’s a melting pot for them, as the district is very close knit. But, that doesn’t mean the financial difficulties don’t make it hard on some students.
“It’s easy to pick out a kid who lives a different lifestyle,” said board treasurer Stephanie Seidlitz.
Middle/high school principal Dave Elliott said you can’t manufacture equity, but sometimes, simple things like allowing students to wear hoodies to blend in, are part of making that melting pot successful.
“Little things like that, kind of keep the playing field even,” said Elliott.
Members also approved the retirement of Caroline Hickethier, junior/senior high school English/language arts teacher, at the end of the school year, after serving as an education instructor at Cornell, for 35 years.
My job has given me immense satisfaction, wrote Hickethier, and I will always treasure the connections that I have
made with colleagues, students, parents and community members over my tenure.
On behalf of the board, who was in whole-hearted agreement, president Lyle Briggs expressed his gratitude for everything Hickethier has done for the children and families of Cornell.
“I know she made a big influence on my kids,” said Briggs. “She’s had some heavy loads, but she made it.”
During the meeting, Schley also reported that the Cornell Youth Sports Committee (CYSC) sent word that they appreciated the use of school facilities, for their recent fourth and fifth-grade tournament. As thanks for the hospitality, the CYSC donated $200 to the district.
