WTCS has important role to play

The Wisconsin Technical College System has an important role to play in shaping and advancing WEAC’s priorities, a panel of leaders said Saturday (February 23, 2008) at Winter Conference.

“You are the people who are going to help define how WTCS fits into WEAC’s priorities,” said WEAC President Mary Bell. “Your voices need to be heard as these priorities are developed.”

Bell shared the priorities including:

• School funding;
• Health care;
• Professional development and licensure; and
• Closing the achievement gap.

“Economic development in the state depends on the Wisconsin Technical College System,” Bell said in addressing the achievement gap. “We need to build the WTCS into the discussion.”

During the informal question-and-answer session, Bill Milz, of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, said the work of the WEAC Board of Directors to identify goals of the organization has been transparent and inclusive of the WTCS. “I’m very excited,” Milz said. “This is an opportunity for all of WEAC to come together and really make a difference.”

Britt Hall of the Waukesha County Technical Educators and a member of the NEA Board of Directors, said WTCS also has formalized an existing spirit of collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers. There are nine WEAC technical college unions and seven affiliated with the AFT in the state. He said WEAC as a whole embraces public education from pre-K through WTCS.

WTCS member Bill Milz shares his thoughts on the process of developing WEAC's priorities during a roundtable discussion with union leaders.

WEAC Vice President Guy Costello said the organization’s work to foster coalitions is important to the larger picture of public education, as well. “The power of coalition is important as we reach out to groups that can benefit public education,” Costello said.

Bell agreed. “We have to do this together.”

To share your ideas with WEAC leadership, click here.

Posted February 23, 2008