Madison Teachers, Legislators Confront Madison School Officials
The unexpected presence of about 80 Madison teachers dramatically changed
the complexion Thursday of what was initially scheduled to be a social
meeting between Madison-area legislators and Madison school officials.
Instead, legislators joined teachers in blasting the Qualified Economic
Offer law. Teachers said the law and the board's unwillingness to bargain
fairly are devastating morale in the school district.
The meeting originally was scheduled at the home of Madison Superintendent
Cheryl Wilhoyte, but was moved to a State Capitol hearing room after word
got out that teachers intended to show up.
At the Capitol, teachers packed into the room and turned what was to
be a partly social event into a very serious business meeting.
Since August, Madison teachers have been pressuring the board to negotiate
a fair contract. The board has been sticking to the constraints of the
Qualified Economic Offer law.
"We're creating a situation, I think, where this is going to kill
morale in public schools and cost us quality people," said Sen. Joe
Wineke.
"It already has," echoed a chorus of teachers.
"This is tearing the hearts out of teachers and tearing the hearts
out of kids," said Madison West High School teacher Don Schultz.
"It's hurting. It's hurting."
Martha Vasquez, a teacher at Shabazz High School, said she believes one
reason the QEO was applied only to teachers is because most teachers are
women.
"It's an equity issue," she said.
Rep. Spencer Black said it was wrong for the Legislature to gut the arbitration
law in 1993 and replace it with the QEO.
"I think that was a terrible mistake," he said, "and it's
only going to get worse, not better."
Legislators who attended included Wineke, Black, Sen. Charles Chvala,
and Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Rebecca Young and Doris Hanson.
Wilhoyte arrived late and left early without ever saying a word.
Posted October 9, 1997; Updated October 10, 1997