Madison Media Digest: Community, Government and Education

Here’s what we were reading while donating a bit of money to prevent the summer slide.

Community

A task force released recommendations about the use of force by police. Leaders of color worked with local law enforcement leaders to help form the new guidelines. The recommendations stress de-escalation. Protesters gathered in the Capitol Square for a Day Without Latinos, to protest proposed legislation they say targets the Latino community in Wisconsin. Madison students comprised a large share portion of the protesters. Race to Equity released a roadmap for tackling the city’s racial disparities. A theater project helps tell stories about race; we covered this project as well. Solstice House, a respite location for people addressing mental health or substance abuse challenges opened on the East side. Madison365 bestowed the first of three awards they will give to members of Madison’s black community in celebration of Black History Month.

Government

The County Board is split on how to go about redeveloping the Alliant Energy Center. Dane County Executive Joe Parisi wanted to find private developers to pay for a renovation of the Alliant Energy Center. The County Board instead voted to move ahead with the planning process. 

Dane County doubts its planned homeless day center will open until 2017. Closed planning sessions for the proposed day center leave out important contributors. Homeless Services Consortium is hosting a three-day event focused on the Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in Dane County. 

Tuesday’s primary election was first with the state’s voter identification law in effect, and election officials reported few snags in Madison, which saw low turnout. Dave Blaska said the smooth rollout statewide vindicates the law. Others think the reports leave out those who chose not to vote in face of extra hurdles, and described at least two voters turned away.

Some 14 people applied to represent the 11th district on the Common Council, after Alder Chris Schmidt leaves his post. Developers offered two very different plans for Judge Doyle Square, and the city will examine both after an initial deal fell through last year. Parking likely will determine which plans goes forward. A planned six-story apartment development on Broom Street at West Washington would see six century-old houses demolished or moved. The city’s efforts to take on the Emerald Ash Borer continue.

Education

Some Madison School Board members say the current disciplinary system is too rigid on questions of expulsion. An online charter school focused on vocational training will be based in Dane County. Madison’s alternative education programs reach a range of students, with a variety of concentrations.