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| More than 1,500 WEAC members came to Madison to speak with their elected officials about maintaining the state's commitment to public education. |
Hours
after state senators voted by a razor-thin margin to approve a state budget
that devastates Wisconsin's great schools, WEAC members filled the Capitol
Thursday (June 19, 2003) to defend public education.More than 1,500 WEAC members from districts statewide came to Madison
to urge their elected officials to protect great schools in the state
budget.
Members held face-to-face meetings with the senators and representatives
to explain how the budget would harm their great schools, students and
communities.
The Senate's budget cuts funding for 4-year old kindergarten and the
SAGE class-size reduction program. It also retains the Qualified Economic
Offer (QEO) law that severely limits teachers' ability to collectively
bargain a fair contract.
"It was a rough night," Sen. Roger Breske told a group of
more than 25 members. "We're putting big business ahead of kids,
and it's wrong. We should be funding schools better than we are."
Sen. Robert Wirch, who represents southeastern Wisconsin, also told
WEAC members that he wished the Senate's budget didn't sell children
short.
"Thank goodness we have a governor with a strong veto pen,"
he said. "He's going to have his work cut out for him."
Members
came to the Capitol to defend the programs the Senate budget put on
the chopping block. Trevor teacher George Voltz told Sen. Wirch that
4-year old kindergarten is a vital program in his school.
"It's a wonderful introduction to formal education, and now it's
in jeopardy because of this budget," Voltz said.
Janesville Education Association members also voiced their concerns
to Rep. Debi Towns about the cut to 4K.
Rep. Towns spoke with members about the Joint Finance Committee's refusal
to include a repeal of the QEO law in its budget by calling the law
'nonfiscal policy.'
"For the last 10 years, we've had teacher salaries that haven't
kept pace with inflation," said Janesville teacher Carl Cramer.
"Doesn't that give you something to think about?"
Baldwin-Woodville teacher Paul Hambleton and other West Central Education Association members told Rep. Kitty Rhoades that the budget is a cut for public education, meaning potential teacher and education support professional job losses and program reductions.
"We're looking at jobs for teachers," he said, adding the budget will increase class sizes.
WCEA members discussed the expansion of the Milwaukee private school voucher program and health insurance issues with Rhoades.
The expansion of vouchers is "terrible in our view," Hambleton said, because they are unaccountable to the public, while public schools are accountable for every action they take.
Oconomowoc teacher Bill Connors told representatives David Ward and Jeff Fitzgerald that the budget removes local control from school boards and municipalities.
"We'd hope locals would have control," he said. "Now power is dictated from the state" and local communities are not allow to make decisions.
Connors said it was unrealistic to ask school districts to make more budget cuts.
"We've cut over the last 10 years," he said.
Fort Atkinson teacher Jude Hartwick told the representatives that his district will have to cut programs and services affecting children.
"This is not helping kids," he said. "We'll have to cut programs. Next year we'll have to cut more. We need a do-over."
Rep. Greg Huber of Wausau told WEAC members he supports repealing the Qualified Economic Offer law.
Members thanked Huber and Sen. Russ Decker, who was not able to attend the meeting, for supporting their issues over the years.
North Shore United Educators packed Sen. Alberta Darling's office so they could share their stories and concerns about the proposed budget - but instead were greeted by Darling's communications director and policy adviser, Tom Petri.
"First of all, I'm frustrated that Senator Darling isn't here," Nicolet High School teacher Gary Stresman said. "She knew we'd be here and she knows how important education is to us."
The sentiment was echoed by about 30 of his colleagues - some spilling into the hallway.
Darling's staffer took notes as NSUE members talked about how budget cuts and the current proposed budget hurts kids and education.
The budget passed by the Senate "undermines the great schools that we have in our state," said Michael O'Brien, who teaches at Cumberland Elementary in Whitefish Bay. "The public schools are not the cause of the deficit."
"Our district has been QEOed three times, and as a result, we've had massive staff turnover," said Annette Evans, who teaches in the Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District. "As a result, there is no stability, no continuity. My colleagues are opting to leave the profession or retire."
"This budget has decimated how I can teach and reach my kids," Glendale-River Hills teacher Victoria Olsen said. "It's not letting me do my job."
West Suburban Council board member Beth Ludeman said the fact that her legislators didn't show up to meet with her group will not deter her from continuing to fight for great schools.
"It doesn't stop with the postcards we did today. We've got to put on constant pressure and continue to contact the legislators for all kids - for anyone who has a stake in education," Ludeman said.
She said she was energized by the day.
"This helps us refocus and recommit our energies to what's really important," Ludeman said. "And it helps us then go back and energize our membership so they too can see how important it is to be an active supporter of our programs.
Sherry Cummisford of South Milwaukee summed up the day for many WEAC members: "Why are we getting picked on? Is it because we aren't angry enough? We are angry!"
Posted June 19, 2003