Welcome to the Madison Commons, a website designed to provide news and information about all of Madison's neighborhoods and a crossroads for the discussion of community issues. The name comes from the idea of a village commons, a place for news, talk, debate, and some entertainment, too, that's open to everyone.
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Here’s what we were reading while wondering how Madison ever got so popular [2].
Education
The Madison School District faces major budget challenges [3], as state aid fails to keep up with rising costs. The district’s schools are increasingly reliant on the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools [4] for funding. The Madison School Board empowered administrators to avoid expulsions for non-violent discipline cases [5]. Madison Area Technical College will debut a tuition-free program for about 350 students [6]. The program is funded privately [7] as corporations seek a more highly educated workforce. Study shows that UW - Madison’s PEOPLE program is falling short of its goal of helping low-income students of color prepare for and be admitted into college [8]. A Madison company has emerged as a leader in educational video games [9]. The Madison Children’s Museum hosted Pride Prom on Saturday [10]. Initiatives that connect children to nature in Madison build off the city’s efforts [11].
Police and Government
The city should accept its role in a recent string of shootings [12], says Chris Rickert. The city’s finance committee approved $350,000 for a review of the Madison Police Department [13]. Rickert thinks complaints about the police are not widely held and may be diverting resources from worthwhile initiatives [14]. Police Chief Mike Koval says his department needs more resources [15]. Dave Blaska offers a raft of ideas [16]. The ACLU raised concerns about the Madison Police Department’s approach to tenants [17]. Debate continues over funding for a homeless day center [18]. The city’s director of food and alcohol policy is leaving [19]. The county issued its first opposite-sex domestic partnership [20]. Some criticized Madison’s new sister-city partnership with Kanifing, Gambia [21]. Dane County debuted new filtration systems in hopes of keeping its waters safe for swimming in the summer [22].
Community
Black Women’s Leadership Conference filled a neglected niche and empowered Black women in Madison [23]. Madison’s YWCA announced the winners of its Women of Distinction Leadership Award [24]. The White House will honor the Madison Public Library with an award for services to the community [25]. The U.S. Department of Labor said 24 Madison-area businesses have been withholding employees’ wages [26] - one man speaks out about his experiences. Madison BCycle program seeks to expand despite new challenges [27]. Jenifer Street residents want to protect the neighborhood’s shade trees during a $3.5M construction project [28]. Madison Metro honored young poets [29]. The Madison Ballet and Chamber Orchestra are exploring a merger [30]. MG&E named a new group of peregrine falcons that hatched atop its Blount Street plant [31]. An east side art installation seeks to foster conversation [32]. Madison celebrated Memorial Day Weekend with brats, as per tradition [33]. Dane County’s first case of Zika was acquired by a person who had visited Colombia [34].
