Voucher Transparency for Rural Districts: Accountability in Action
Breakout Session
Presentation Date: 10/30/2025
Presentation Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Spruce
Handouts
Go Public Transparency Presentation PP
Go Public Transparency Presentation PDF
Voucher Information/Data
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Description
Tired of hearing from taxpayers that they are paying too much for public schools? Frustrated by how hard it is to explain the impacts of privatization on rural schools and communities? This session will provide all the tools necessary to help you work with your board to pass a resolution to go to your municipalities and encourage the municipality to put the cost of private school vouchers on your tax bill. There will be a tool kit available and all the steps will be explained in the session as well as sample materials.
PRESENTER: Denise Gaumer Hutchison, Wisconsin Public Education Network,
Denise Gaumer Hutchison is the Wisconsin Public Education Network NE Regional Organizer,
staffed out of Green Bay. As a Network staff member, Denise has focused on advising “yes committee teams,” school boards, and school districts on their referenda efforts as well as organizing new teams focused on informing communities about the impact of vouchers and the impact on children in public schools and taxpayers. Denise has chaired the Champions 4 Green Bay Public Schools community committee for the last 6 GBAPS referenda efforts. When Denise’s two children were in the Green Bay Area Public Schools, she also served on the Green Bay Area Public School District Parent Advisory Board and as an officer for the parent groups in the District. Denise is also on the board of the League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay. Most recently, Denise has been appointed chair of the Wisconsin Women’s Council, a bi-partisan government council which monitors the issues facing women and girls in Wisconsin - gender equity, pay equity, mental health parity are just a few of the programs that the Wisconsin Women’s Council is working on and monitoring.
PRESENTER: Lori Blakeslee - Communications Director
As the Communications Director for the fourth-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 18,000 students, Lori Blakeslee oversees all aspects of district communications, branding, and public engagement.
Lori successfully directed the district’s comprehensive rebranding effort, including the development of new logos for the majority of elementary schools, and managed two complete redesigns of the district and school websites (2016 and 2024).
A proven leader in public engagement, Lori has developed and executed communication strategies for five successful school district referendums, totaling more than $550 million in approved funding for facilities, operations, and security improvements. These efforts have supported projects ranging from new school construction and stadium renovations to HVAC upgrades and safety enhancements.
Lori’s leadership and excellence in school communications have been recognized at both the state and national levels.
In addition to leading strategic communications, Lori oversees social media strategy and implementation, internal communications, public events, media relations, publications, crisis communications, and government relations. Through clear messaging, transparency, and authentic storytelling, Lori continues to foster strong community relationships and elevate the district’s public image.