Forward Janesville Releases ‘Keep Kids Learning’ Toolkits Ahead of Nov. 5 Referendum Decisions

JANESVILLE, Wis. (Oct. 7, 2024) – Forward Janesville, the city’s Chamber of Commerce and private-sector economic development leader, today announced the release of its Keep Kids Learning Advocate Toolkits. The goal of Keep Kids Learning is to communicate the importance of schools to our local community and help voters make informed decisions Nov. 5 when they vote on school referendum decisions in Janesville and Milton.

Available at www.forwardjanesville.com/keepkidslearning, the toolkits include easy-to-use conversation starters, flyers, voting information, and more to help you engage your community effectively.

“Strong educational systems are critical when it comes to building and growing local businesses and our economy,” said Shar Hermanson, President and CEO of Forward Janesville. “Whether you’re a longstanding Rock County business or you are looking to start a new business here, you need the next generation of local workforce to be ready and prepared with the necessary skills.

“Through our Keep Kids Learning Campaign, we are excited to help communicate with and educate the community on just how important our schools are to a thriving community.”

Forward Janesville is committed to economic success by supporting education through: building strategic partnerships; expanding work-based learning; championing lifelong learning; and securing accountable funding. Due to a challenging funding environment, K-12 school districts around Wisconsin are going to referendum in record numbers for essential needs. By the end of 2024, ⅔ of Rock County school districts will have gone to referendum, with one district going twice.

To understand how school funding issues impact Forward Janesville members, our Government Relations Council identified school district referendums as a 2024 Policy Priority Area and our Forward Janesville Board of Directors designated it as a 2024-25 Strategic Initiative. After extensive research, presentations, engagement with local leaders and substantive discussion, the Government Relations Council and Board of Directors voted to support the referendum questions posed by the School District of Janesville and the School District of Milton on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot.

Download the Keep Kids Learning Toolkits and learn more about Forward Janesville’s support of education and the School District of Janesville and School District of Milton referendums at www.forwardjanesville.com/keepkidslearning.