Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski Concludes Statewide Tour Highlighting Record Common School Fund Distribution
Madison, WI – Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL), completed a month-long statewide tour during National School Library Month to deliver a record breaking $73.5 million distribution from the Common School Fund to Wisconsin public schools. Since Godlewski has been chair, the distribution has grown by over 103%. Every public school in Wisconsin receives part of this funding and it often serves as the sole source of library funding for school districts across the state. These funds support library and media centers through the purchase of technology, books, and other learning resources.
Executive Secretary of BCPL, Tia Nelson explained, “Sarah’s leadership as BCPL’s board chair has been critical to our success managing School Trust assets. No one has worked harder to protect and promote this key support for public school libraries than she has.”
“At a time when schools are stretched thin, the Common School Fund is stepping up and putting critical funding into school libraries for books, technology, and learning tools. Because when we support our libraries, we set every kid up for success,” said Secretary Godlewski.
To celebrate Public School Library month, Secretary Godlewski visited libraries across the state to meet the students and staff that are impacted by these funds. She was joined by local leaders, legislators, librarians, and educators throughout her visits.
The tour included stops to the Northwoods; in Eagle River, Secretary Godlewski met with students to read and share in celebration for the Northland Pines School District receiving $101,038. She added to that travel day by going to Crescent Elementary School in Rhinelander to present $207,766 to the Rhinelander School District.
In Wausau, Secretary Godlewski met with a group of Wausau West High School Advanced Placement Government students to answer their questions and play Civics Trivia. Afterward, she presented the Wausau School District with a check for $631,407.
In Ashwaubenon, while visiting Pioneer Elementary School, Secretary was joined by State Senator Jamie Wall in presenting the Ashwaubenon District with $182,261.
Secretary Godlewski kicked off the month in Madison by visiting Lake View Elementary and presenting $1,731,710 to the Madison Metropolitan School District alongside State Senator Kelda Roys and school board member Nicki Vander Meulen.
The month-long tour concluded in Milwaukee at Stormonth Elementary School. Secretary Godlewski was joined by Assembly Representative Deb Andraca and State Senator Jodi Habush-Sinykin for the presentation of the Fox Point- Bayside school district amount of $61,865.
After traveling more than 850 miles and connecting with roughly 250 students, Sarah Godlewski is proud to celebrate a record-breaking Common School Fund distribution supporting schools across Wisconsin.
“Traveling across Wisconsin, I’ve seen firsthand how these resources are delivering for kids, no matter their zip code, and I’m proud of the BCPL team and the strategy that made it happen” said Secretary Godlewski.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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