Math tutors are working for free after Americorps funding is cut
KIMBERLY WETHAL
Updated
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Colm Fitzsimmons, an Achieving Connections tutor at La Follette High School, guides students through an algebra exercise. Fitzsimmons lost his job in April when the Trump administration abruptly canceled all state grants funding AmeriCorps programs. He has chosen to stay on for the rest of the school year, working for free to see his students through to finals.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Colm Fitzsimmons said he can afford to work for free because he has two other sources of income. Not all of Wisconsin's 800 AmeriCorps workers will be so lucky.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
"It feels like the way that these cuts were implemented were almost intentionally designed to cause the most fallout, or the most collateral damage, as possible," said Colm Fitzsimmons.
Lawmakers have so far released just $9 million to help implement the curriculum, leaving more than $40 million unspent.
Colm Fitzsimmons, an Achieving Connections tutor at La Follette High School, guides students through an algebra exercise. Fitzsimmons lost his job in April when the Trump administration abruptly canceled all state grants funding AmeriCorps programs. He has chosen to stay on for the rest of the school year, working for free to see his students through to finals.
Colm Fitzsimmons said he can afford to work for free because he has two other sources of income. Not all of Wisconsin's 800 AmeriCorps workers will be so lucky.
"It feels like the way that these cuts were implemented were almost intentionally designed to cause the most fallout, or the most collateral damage, as possible," said Colm Fitzsimmons.