WAUKESHA - With school districts cutting
staff and programs across the state, some public service
organizations are having a tougher time finding teachers to start
service learning programs in communities across the area.
With less support staff in schools and tighter time schedules for
teachers, some of them are finding it more difficult to find the
time to coordinate projects, which in turn could have an inverse
effect on both grades and community involvement.
"It has really been a challenge finding a champion for one
for these programs," said, Jodi Kluge, United Way of Waukesha
volunteer center director. "We have seen a bit of a push back
here."
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service,
in Wisconsin, where the vast majority of school districts are now
cutting staff, there were 11,254 participants in its Learn and Serve
America program, which is well below neighboring states. There were
46,492 participants in Illinois, 16,640 in Iowa, 27,186 in Minnesota
and 43,998 in Michigan.
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Joe Petrie can be reached at jpetrie@conleynet.com
