Waupaca Teachers Overflow School Board Meeting

About 75 Waupaca Teachers Association members and supporters packed a small, hot board room May 14 (2002) to show their frustration over a stalled, contentious bargain.

Teachers and supporters, wearing red T-shirts, met in the parking lot before the board meeting and then entered together just as the meeting started.

Since no time is ever allowed during school board meetings in Waupaca for community members to speak to the board about issues, WTA members were forced to express concerns through carefully worded questions during an overview of the district's financial state by their accounts manager. He said to the teachers attending, "We (the school district) are in very good shape."

The district may be, but the teachers let them know they aren't.

In 1992, Waupaca's Fund 10 (reserve account) balance was about $2.8 million. Now, the fund balance is $4.8 million, which is about 26% of the district's annual budget.

Waupaca teachers show solidarity outside the high school.

"Since the inception of the QEO (Qualified Economic Offer law) nine years ago, the financial picture for the Board of Education in Waupaca has grown proportionately stronger while the teacher salaries have eroded," said WTA President Pat Phair. "The teachers of Waupaca have carried the financial burden for the district and are unwilling to do so anymore."

"They clearly do not want to bargain or settle a respectful, fair contract," said Linda Easland, WTA's grievance chair. "I'm angry about our situation, but my anger serves as energy to be proactive and work to make changes. I know that our hard work and united front will cause a positive change for the future of our teachers and students."

Terry Meyer

"The board has more than enough money to give the teachers a dignified, cost-of-living salary increase, they just won't," said WEAC Vice President Terry Meyer, who attended the board meeting with the WTA. "The Waupaca School District's Fund 10 has been built on the backs of these teachers and staff, and they just want their fair share back."

The superintendent's salary is in the top 20% of superintendents in the state, while the beginning teacher's salary ranks 399th.

"Our district administrator and board seem to be unwilling to negotiate a contract that will attract and retain the best teachers for our system," Easland said.

Phair said, "Even if the district imposes a QEO contract, the solidarity and unity generated in the last few years will make our struggle successful."

And how does Linda Klein, WTA's chief negotiator, feel about the bargain? "I have to believe that we will come out better in the end by holding the line," she said.

Then on Monday night (May 20, 2002), the board sat down at the table with the WTA and started talking again.

"It went pretty well - we are nowhere near done, but the pressure has worked," Klein said.

"These Waupaca teachers' courage and determination to not settle their contract unless it is dignified and fair should serve as a benchmark for our resolve across the state," Meyer said.

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

Posted May 21, 2002