Only recently have most Americans begun to fall in line with the growing evidence that global warming is a reality.
Here in Shorewood, we have yet to come to grips with the fact that we are also experiencing an age revolution and that families are having fewer children.
The Village of Shorewood as a community must come to grips with the fact that we are going to have more older adults in Shorewood than ever and we have a responsibility to that element of our community.
We must understand that our schools are on a path of declining enrollment because each household is going to have fewer children. We are also going to experience increasing tax responsibilities in the operation of our schools. Yet the cost of confronting this demographic revolution lies with the State and not only with the individual communities.
Both the aging population and declining school enrollment must be handled as one problem requiring solutions never considered before. The older adults as in some states will want Wisconsin to consider that those over 65 should not pay school taxes. If this becomes a policy then the school system will find itself even in greater financial difficulties.
On the other hand, intergeneration programs within the school system would justify the elderly continuing to pay school tax and that each older person enrolled in school programs should bring the same amount of school aid as each child enrolled does. Adult programs should be as extensive.
We need to reconsider the role of intergenerational program of our public schools here in Shorewood that has already been in place as Dr. Blane McCann, our school superintendent has explained to us. And we should see to it that it that it receives strong support from the older community and our elected officials and state representatives.
More and more older adult citizens are choosing to stay in place, not only in their communities but in their own homes. They shall be requiring certain services from the community that our Village should be prepared to provide.
