1,200 Protest Outside Manitowoc School Board Meeting

Hundreds of Manitowoc teachers and their supporters packed into a School Board meeting after picketing outside. Large pop-up photo

In a massive display of solidarity and commitment, an estimated 1,200 people packed the sidewalk outside a Manitowoc School Board meeting Tuesday night (May 14, 2002) to protest the Qualified Economic Offer law, school district revenue caps, the unfair treatment of teachers at the bargaining table, and a deterioration in the quality of education.

The line of picketers extended as far as the eye could see in each direction, filling the otherwise quiet neighborhood with chants of "The QEO must go!"

About half of the picketers then went inside to attend the meeting and demand that the board treat its teachers and support staff with dignity and respect.

Educators from at least 37 school districts in the area and as far away as Neenah, Green Bay, Milwaukee and Cedarburg showed up to demonstrate their support for Manitowoc teachers' struggles for a fair contract, as well as the struggles of teachers throughout the state. It was the largest rally and demonstration since WEAC adopted 2001-03 statewide bargaining goals in February 2001.

Although organizers were expecting several hundred people, the turnout far surpassed expectations, said Jim Carlson, director at Kettle Moraine UniServ Council (KMUC).

"It was absolutely outstanding," he said of the support educators are showing for each other during the 2001-03 statewide bargaining crisis. Manitowoc is one of more than 270 school districts statewide still without a contract for the two-year period that began July 1, 2001.

The event began with a rally at the Inn on Maritime Bay, where several speakers, including WEAC President Stan Johnson, WEAC Executive Director Michael A. Butera and Manitowoc Education Association negotiator Gary Bents spoke out for the need to maintain great schools and great staff.

Arguing that the district can afford to provide its teachers with a fair salary increase, Bents said, "It is time this district showed it values its employees more than bricks and mortar."

Saying the QEO law puts all the "poker chips" in the school board's hands, he said, "We are committed to ending this abomination that masquerades as collective bargaining."

MEA President Michelle Preussler said she is repeatedly asked how the MEA was able to organize so many members and others to support their cause. "The school board did it for us," she said. "This school board is the best motivator we've ever had in the MEA."

Linda Helf, president of the KMUC, said teachers face a dual enemy - the Legislature that has created these laws and has refused to repeal them and school boards that use them to punish their teachers.

"We're here to say enough is enough," she said. "Tonight in Manitowoc, let our solidarity revolution continue."

"You are not alone," Johnson told the crowd, citing the unprecedented number of unsettled teacher contracts and the growing solidarity statewide to get the laws changed.

"Until we stand up as a group - a united group based in solidarity - we will not change the law," he said.

He noted that the QEO law, revenue caps, and the school funding formula are often referred to as the "three-legged stool."

"We are going to get rid of that old piece of furniture," he said, adding that this fall's elections are the key to getting the law changed.

"And after we have replaced the QEO kings and queens, we're going after school board members" who don't support their teachers and support staff, he said.

Butera said it is disgraceful that teachers have been living under the QEO for 3,184 days (as of May 14, 2002). The formula to change that, he said, is 50-17-1. He explained we need 50 pro-education legislators to make up a majority in the State Assembly, 17 in the State Senate, "and we need a governor who will sign the bill" to repeal the QEO and revenue caps.

"The elections this September and November are a call to arms," he said.

The crowd then traveled to the school board meeting, where they marched along the sidewalk in front of Lincoln High School for about an hour. About half the picketers then filed into the school's auditorium for the meeting.

Speaker after speaker told board members they feared a deterioration in the quality of education as a result of the impact of the QEO and revenue controls, including the potential loss of great teachers throughout the state who would leave the profession due to declining pay, worsening work environments, and lack of respect.

The first speaker was Johnson, who was loudly applauded as he was introduced and walked in front of the bleachers to a chair before the board.

"We need the ability to attract and retain great teachers, not only in Manitowoc but across this great state," he said. "You can be the lightning rod for that right here and now."

Johnson concluded by asking the board to take a stand for their teachers by showing them respect and dignity. As he turned to walk away, the crowd of 600 people gave him a rousing standing ovation.

Resource page on the Qualified Economic Offer law
Resource page on school district revenue controls

Posted May 15, 2002