Wisconsin legislature began with the attendance of Assembly Majority Leader Tony Earl and Senate Majority Leader Ray Johnson.

By January, 1976, the Association established a joint committee of district directors and district board members in response to a district cost control proposal in the state’s budget review bill.  Carl Plaum relates that the “Wallace Commission” was formed in 1976 to consider changing the make-up of the VTAE districts and their governance.  On April 13, 1976, a special Association executive committee meeting was held in Stevens Point to hear the Association committee’s response based on its studying the issues.  The Association’s response would be presented as input to the commission.12

In early summer of 1976, three legislative hearings were held around the state.  The Appleton meeting, led by State Representatives Marlin Schneider and Herbert Grover, laid out the proposals: convert local boards to advisory-only status, remove local board taxing authority in return for state funding, eliminate district boundaries and create a free flow of students, form a VTAE state board of regents, raise tuition rates to 25 percent of cost, require universal access for individuals age 16 and over, and, require state building commission approval (like the UW and state agencies) for capital construction projects.

At the remaining two hearings, the benefits of appointed boards and increased state aid were addressed.  The special committee’s work and the Association’s coordination helped to assure the proposals to change the districts’ governance and funding were defeated and pulled from the budget review bill.

In late 1976, the services of the Communiqué consultant firm were engaged to help all districts develop legislative action plans.  This was the largest single expenditure undertaken by the District Boards Association to date.

January 21, 1978, a committee was appointed to help organize a meeting between Wisconsin members attending an ACCT event and Wisconsin’s congressional members.  This appears to be the first organized action towards working with the U.S. Congress.

Completing the Beginning 

The 1970’s saw a fledging organization take root, grow and become a recognized voice for all local district boards across Wisconsin.  First, there came a realization by local boards of their role and responsibility in governing local schools.  Next, key local board members from throughout Wisconsin saw the need for a statewide boards association and committed themselves to organize and nurture such an organization.  Local board members also realized that more could be accomplished for vocational and technical education by working collectively on issues that were important to local institutions, including relationships with the state and national legislative bodies.  Finally, there was a growing commitment to work cooperatively to strengthen local board governance skills.