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With the support of about 180 teachers and support staff behind him, WEAC
President Stan Johnson (right) addresses the Kettle Moraine School Board.
School district revenue controls and the Qualified Economic Offer law are "bringing school districts to their knees" throughout the state, WEAC President Stan Johnson told the Kettle Moraine School Board Tuesday (February 12, 2002).
"Districts all over Wisconsin have made severe budget cuts just to keep operating, and they are running out of places to cut," Johnson said. "Our ability to provide classrooms that work for every child in every community is in danger."
Johnson
addressed the board, with about 180 Kettle Moraine Educators Association
members standing and sitting behind him. They gave him a standing ovation
following his statements to the board.
Like more than 300 local teacher associations throughout the state, the KMEA has been without a current contract since June 2001. The KMEA has signed on to the WEAC Statewide Bargaining Standards, which call for annual cost-of-living pay increases of 3.4% per cell, no take-backs in benefits, bargaining over WEA Insurance Trust long-term care insurance, and bargaining over locally developed school quality initiatives.
Johnson told board members they "should be very proud of the great schools, students and staff here in Kettle Moraine," which is in Waukesha County.
"You have an outstanding district today, but the future is not so bright, thanks to revenue controls and the Qualified Economic Offer law," he said.
Johnson said teachers and school support staff throughout the state have lost ground to inflation for nine years under the QEO law, and some have even seen their paychecks shrink.
"Great schools deserve great teachers and staff, but the QEO is discouraging the best and the brightest from entering the teaching profession. It is forcing dedicated teachers out of the profession, because they cannot afford to work in the jobs they love so much. It is making the teacher shortage even more severe," Johnson said.
"The teachers here in Kettle Moraine are taking a courageous stand against these onerous laws. They are standing up for a fair contract that rewards them for creating the great schools you have."
Johnson said teachers did not benefit from the economic boom of the 1990s and are especially frustrated now that the economy is in a decline.
"Their chance of catching up to even the rate of inflation is dimming, unless they say 'enough is enough.'
"We have been treated unfairly long enough. It's time to show teachers they are respected and valued citizens ...
"That's why I am asking you, on behalf of our outstanding staff, to compensate them fairly," Johnson said. "Treat them like the professionals they are. Treat them like the people who are shaping the future of your community and nation. Sit down and work out a fair contract, so Kettle Moraine can keep its great schools and teachers."
Kettle Moraine High School teacher Scott Behnke also addressed the board, saying, "Blue ribbon teachers deserve blue ribbon pay."
"Maybe the time has come," Behnke said, "to realize bricks and mortar do not teach children. Quality teachers do."
KMEA co-chair Jim Merchant told the board that members came to the meeting "to show solidarity for great schools and to maintain quality contracts."
Resource page on the Qualified
Economic Offer law
Johnson applauds Doyle's
stance on education funding
Posted February 13, 2002