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5/19/2009
Breakthrough. WEAC's talking pay freezes
WEAC has the answer to the budget crisis in a video recently recorded for the WEAC web site. Union president Mary Bell tells us how we can “Maintain Wisconsin Schools.”
Shared sacrifice. (Do you see it?)
Multiple threats about layoffs and “further cuts to public education” shortchanging our kids.
A tiny, tiny buried mention of state mandated pay freezes. (Wage freezes – or lose 30 teachers (AASD) - What’s best for Wisconsin in 2009)?
No mention of bidding out health insurance contracts ($3M savings in AASD alone – how many layoffs would that prevent? How many kids’ futures could we save?)
The answer? You guessed it. Tax increases. Oh, and of course, “work[ing] together to maintain our state’s tradition of quality public schools.”
President Bell is definitely following the rules (See “Dos, Don’ts of Bargaining in Tough Times").
“DO NOT accept any reductions in compensation that do not also reduce work expectations – work hours or workload – proportionately.”
“DO NOT accept wage or salary proposals that have log-term negative consequences on career earnings, such as freezing wages….”
I believe in quality public and private schools. I believe in wonderful teachers, administrators and staff members. And in today’s economic environment, I surely do believe in “shared sacrifice.” Do you see it in the text of Ms. Bell’s pleas and questions, below?(Video here.)
Wisconsin educators are receiving many questions about how the state budget crisis will affect our schools. Today I’d like to share a few thoughts on this critical issue.
After 16 years of revenue controls we all know there are even tougher choices ahead for WI schools. However, We must acknowledge that further cuts to public education will absolutely impact the quality of education and the opportunities our kids receive.
In the days ahead, the Governor and state legislature will be forced to consider funding cuts to our schools which could include or result in a shortened school year, cuts to programs that reduce class size, or school nursing services, cuts to art, music and vocational programs, state mandated pay freezes for teachers and staff, teacher layoffs, and furloughs and other cuts.
This crisis calls for shared sacrifice but also for innovation and strong leadership. When evaluating options and alternatives, legislators should be mindful of the consequences they have on our kids, communities and state.
In any proposed reduction, careful consideration should be given to the following:
How will cuts to education impact our kids and student learning?
Are today’s students being shortchanged?
As we look to the future, will our children have the skills and training they need to compete in a world economy?
Will cuts be made to all schools receiving public funding?
Will proposed cuts allow Wisconsin to maintain its tradition of quality public schools?
Will we be responsible for undoing the ingenuity and commitment previous generations have worked hard to achieve?
What are we sacrificing and what are the unintended consequences?
And have we exhausted all other options?
Can we require school districts to tap fund reserves and standardize fund reserve levels across the state?
And finally, should we revisit the thresholds for targeted tax increases, many of which have already been proposed?
WI takes pride in our state’s public schools. Now more than ever, we must work together to maintain our tradition of quality public schools in Wisconsin. Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
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