Madison Media Digest: Education, Government and Community

(Michael Mirer / Madison Commons)

Here’s what we were reading while oh my goodness did you see that shot, Sweet 16 baby!! 

Education

Madison Metropolitan School District will eliminate about 50 positions due to budget cuts. The district also is wary of a new office at UW-Madison created under state law to certify charter schools. The MMSD Student Senate made a series of recommendations. The Cap Times hosted a schools forum that touched on many key issues. Summit Credit Union opened a branch at East High School, aiming to improve financial literacy and independence for students. Madison West’s Foundations of Leadership program challenges the school-to-prison pipeline. Racist graffiti in a men’s bathroom at UW–Madison is the fourth reported incident of racial bias on campus this semester. Twitter hashtag campaign #TheRealUW highlights students’ experiences of racism and discrimination. 

Government

Tamara Grigbsy, head of the Dane County Department of Equity and Inclusion, died suddenly. A proposal from the City Council would move significant budgetary powers from the mayor’s office to the council. Dave Ciezlewicz, who current mayor Paul Soglin defeated in 2011, says these changes are aimed Soglin even if the alders who sponsored the plan say they are not.

This could go to referendum, which would require it be fully explained. Only five of the 37 Dane County Board seats up for election are contested. The County is moving to expand Anderson Farm County Park. 

Community

Madison’s East Side Farmers’ Market is moving back to Central Park. The Parent Addiction Network offered free training in Narcan, an anti-overdose drug. Eastsiders are rallying to protect the art of Sid Boyum. Madison’s YWCA announced the winners of its 2016 Women of Distinction Leadership Awards. Madison is going ahead with a bike lane around Capitol Square despite the state’s disapproval. The Milwaukee Bucks partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County to encourage school attendance and achievement. Madison Magazine spilled the beans on the city’s best-kept secrets. 

The Digest will be off March 28 and return the following week.