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Volume II – June 11, 2025
Volume II – June 11, 2025
A Weekly Dispatch from the 2030 Task Force
A Weekly Dispatch from the 2030 Task Force
The Tosa Ledger offers a clear, weekly roundup of actions, alerts, and stories that matter. Forward freely. Act boldly.
The Tosa Ledger offers a clear, weekly roundup of actions, alerts, and stories that matter. Forward freely. Act boldly.
1. RALLYING CRY HEARD AROUND WISCONSIN — JUNE 9 BECOMES A TURNING POINT
Monday night’s board meeting and public rally have captured widespread media attention, as the community’s demand for transparency, accountability, and leadership change reached new levels of urgency.
Fox6 Video Segment
The board meeting began 20 minutes late due to the overwhelming number of speakers—parents, teachers, retirees, alderpersons, and more. Voices filled the room in a powerful show of unity. The message was clear: the current trajectory is unacceptable.
“We are here not just for our children, but for the soul of our schools.”
Next: We maintain the momentum into summer.
2. NEW PRINCIPAL AT LINCOLN — QUESTIONS EMERGE OVER SELECTION
2. NEW PRINCIPAL AT LINCOLN — QUESTIONS EMERGE OVER SELECTION
The district has announced a new principal for Lincoln Elementary, historically one of the top-performing schools in the district. While families will extend the benefit of the doubt, many are alarmed to learn that the new principal was previously non-renewed by the Raymond School Board in Racine County—a decision that drew public scrutiny:
“It seems we chase the controversial at WSD. We’ll stay hopeful—but nothing in our district is a surprise anymore.”
3. WHEN DID WSD START NEEDING TO RECRUIT STUDENTS?
3. WHEN DID WSD START NEEDING TO RECRUIT STUDENTS?
Lincoln Elementary recently launched a yard sign campaign to promote enrollment—part of a growing trend across Tosa schools. While community spirit is admirable, the need to market a public neighborhood school raises significant concerns:
Why is enrollment declining?
What’s the district’s plan for retention?
Are public dollars supporting these campaigns?
"School pride is great—but marketing shouldn’t substitute for competent leadership."
4. “STEM FOR ALL” APPEARS TO BE STEM FOR NO ONE
4. “STEM FOR ALL” APPEARS TO BE STEM FOR NO ONE
AP Physics C Cut at West
AP Physics C – Electromagnetism will not be offered at West next year, despite 15 students signing up. The district cited “lack of funding.”
“Didn’t the district just pass a $124 million referendum?”
“These are future engineers—and we’re turning them away.”
STEM Removed at Tosa Montessori
Sources confirm that STEM instruction has also been eliminated at Tosa Montessori—not due to performance, but in the name of “equity.”
“They will not be providing STEM at Tosa Montessori, yet they took it away so that it was ‘equitable’ across schools…” In other words, some schools get it and some don’t.
Is this what the district meant by “STEM for All”?
If equity becomes a rationale for removing opportunity rather than expanding it, the result is systemic loss. If your school has lost programs, reach out confidentially.
5. BOARD PRESIDENT REJECTS TERMINATION REQUEST, DISMISSES COMMUNITY CONCERNS
5. BOARD PRESIDENT REJECTS TERMINATION REQUEST, DISMISSES COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Just hours before the June 9 meeting, Board President Lynne Woehrle issued a public letter refusing to place Superintendent Means’s termination on the board agenda.
“We are satisfied that Dr. Means is effectively managing the district.”
The statement sidestepped:
Whistleblower accounts
A 100+ page termination request
The public outcry now reaching state-level attention
When the district ignores a mountain of evidence in favor of claiming credit for high-achieving children, you know something is amiss.
Superintendent evaluation discussion: June 23 Board Meeting. The community will be there.
6. ALARMING REPORTS FROM MADISON ELEMENTARY — MORALE COLLAPSE AND LEADERSHIP CRISIS
6. ALARMING REPORTS FROM MADISON ELEMENTARY — MORALE COLLAPSE AND LEADERSHIP CRISIS
Madison Elementary is showing signs of the same leadership failure seen at McKinley and WSTEM:
Accelerating teacher and staff departures
Ignored bullying reports and disengagement from leadership
Staff resigning without jobs lined up
Families transferring out of the district
Allegations of shouting at staff in front of students
“She wasn’t even in the building during conferences she promised to attend.”
“Our staff is fed up. Our kids are hurting.”
If you are a Madison parent, teacher, or staff member—your story matters. Reach out in confidence.
7. A BREATH OF FRESH AIR AT MCKINLEY — FAMILIES ENCOURAGED TO SPEAK UP
With Principal Ted Martin out on paternity leave, many families and staff at McKinley have noticed a positive shift in school climate.
“In just two weeks, Mr. Supa is present, builds relationships with students, and is visible in ways we’ve never seen. Our kids are noticing.”
The 2030 Task Force encourages families to share specific examples of the difference this temporary leadership change has made—especially with the board.
8. TASK FORCE APPEALS TO GOVERNOR EVERS AMID GOVERNANCE CRISIS
The 2030 Task Force has formally appealed to Governor Tony Evers, citing a systemic governance failure in WSD. The appeal critiques a June 3 letter sent by the School Board to the Governor for omitting:
Whistleblower reports
The McKinley Investigative Report (MIR)
The xCore Report ranking WSD among the worst nationally among governance collapses
The complaint builds on a formal filing already submitted to DPI under Wis. Stat. §§ 118.001 and 115.28(31). Without reform, the district faces projected deficits and long-term state-level fiscal exposure.
9. DR. MEANS TAKES TO THE PRESS — BUT FORGETS HIS OWN ROLE
Superintendent Means recently published a guest op-ed titled:
“Your Property Tax Hike: A Direct Result of State Failure to Fund Students with Disabilities”
In the piece, Dr. Means criticizes the state for underfunding education, but notably omits:
WSD’s multi-million dollar budget error
The $23 million projected deficit by 2030
Overreliance on referenda and unsustainable spending patterns
“It’s striking to write about a funding crisis without acknowledging the district’s internal financial missteps—many under the Superintendent’s watch.”
10. 45% SPENDING INCREASE UNDER MEANS—WHILE INFLATION ROSE ONLY 18%
Since Superintendent Demond Means took office, WSD’s budget has grown from $98.7 million to $143.2 million—a 45% increase, compared to just 18% inflation during the same period.
Source: WSD financials, reviewed in the Expanded Core Report, p. 16 & p. 33
Despite this spending surge, the district faces:
Lower test scores
Shrinking STEM access
A projected $23 million annual shortfall
Deteriorating staff morale and trust
“Where did the money go?”
That’s the question families and taxpayers deserve answered. The Task Force continues to fight for a forensic audit to get to the bottom of this.
What You Can Do?
Join the mailing list – Stay informed on new reports, legal filings, and community actions
Attend the June 23 Board Meeting – Public comment begins at 6:00 PM. Your voice matters.
Submit your school’s story – Parents, students, teachers: share your experience. Confidentiality honored.
Share this newsletter – Forward it, print it, post it. Truth spreads person to person.
Thank you for staying strong—in your schools, neighborhoods, and communities. The Tosa Ledger is your briefing desk for action and accountability.
The 2030 Task Force Executive Committee
2030TaskForce@gmail.com
www.Tosa2030.com
Disclaimer: This publication is intended for informational and advocacy purposes only. Views expressed reflect those of contributors and are not legal findings.
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