To the editor,

As a retired teacher from Minnesota who now lives in Prescott, I am appalled at the lack of support for public education in the Wisconsin legislature. The Pierce County Journal has articles and opinion pieces in every issue related to chronic underfunding.

Warren Petryk, our Assembly representative, states in his column that he proudly collaborated with his Republican colleagues to develop a spending plan that was enacted into law. Why is he not working across the political divide? Does he not represent all the people in his district? Does he not listen to the public school educators who repeatedly plea for help for the students in their districts?

It is no wonder that Republicans in the legislature support a bill to allow 14-and 15-year-olds to have work permits as ways to address workplace staffing issues. It would seem that public schools are not their priority.

Rep. Petryk cites a budget survey he conducted in his district that indicated 86% of his constituents identified roads and bridges as the highest priority. There he can deliver due to federal infrastructure funding. I’m certain he is aware of the need for an increase in public education funding; he has done nothing in that area.

Linda Bjorklund

Prescott