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Solidarity - November 8, 1999

Volume 33, No. 12
We teach the children ... Collectively we decide ... United we act

REFERENDA TOMORROW; FOR MADISON'S KIDS, VOTE:

Don't forget to vote tomorrow and be sure that your friends and relatives do, too! MTI has endorsed the three referenda and they are extremely important to the well-being of education in Madison. MTI Executive Director John Matthews said, "These referenda are about more than bricks and mortar; replacing out-dated, broken and inefficient mechanicals; they are about our community's willingness to maintain its excellent school system."

The first referendum authorizes the Madison School District Board of Education to retain and use $20 million which will accrue over the next five years from reduced debt payments toward serious facility needs, such as new electrical systems, roof repairs, window replacements, etc.

In 1996, a Blue Ribbon panel of experts conducted an independent analysis of MMSD building and maintenance needs and recommended that the schools spend an additional $10 million per year on replacement of old and/or inefficient systems. To keep property taxes as low as possible, the school budget has neglected maintenance since the mid-1970's.

The second referendum authorizes the District to obtain $11 million to build and equip a new elementary school on the southwest side of town. This school is necessary given intense development in the area which is expected to produce 600 elementary school age children in the next four or five years.

The third referendum authorizes the District to spend an additional $340,000 per year to staff the new elementary school with non-pupil driven staff such as custodians, secretaries, a principal and librarians. While the District would be authorized to spend an additional $340,000 should this referendum pass, the cost to the average homeowner is $6 per year.

According to Matthews, the total additional cost to the average homeowner for all three referenda is only $21 per year. A small price to pay to help maintain one of the best school districts in the nation, he said.

"There is a place in America to take a stand: it is public education. It is the underpinning of our cultural and political system. It is the great common ground. Public education after all is the engine that moves us as a society toward a common destiny...It is in public education that the American dream begins to take shape." - Tom Brokaw

MTI MEMBERS: YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

While it appears that all three District referenda on tomorrow's ballot are being well received by the public, former reactionary school board members and CARE members Nancy Mistele and Nancy Harper are reportedly trying to raise money, as they did two years ago to run negative campaign ads. Such action sabotaged the referenda two years ago and it certainly would take its toll if they ran a negative campaign this year.

Your help is needed to counter Mistele and Harper. Please put in a couple of hours calling friends and colleagues. Come to MTI on Monday (11/8) at 5:00 p.m. or Tuesday (11/9) at 4:00 p.m. to phone bank.

THE ALL CENTURY LIST: MTI's MATTHEWS RECOGNIZED

"A salute to 50 people who shaped Madison in the 20th century" is the title of an article in November's Madison Magazine.

Among those recognized as "Madisonians who have had the greatest impact on our lives over the past 100 years" are such notables as John Olin, John Nolan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Gaylord Nelson, the Frautschi Family, Bob & Irv Goodman, Charles Van Hise, Robbi Swarzensky, George Vukelich, Tammy Baldwin, Paul Soglin and John Matthews.

Matthews was one of two union leaders on the list and was recognized for quadrupling the size of MTI and for building MTI into a "very unified, very organized" union. The article complimented Matthews for his ability to accomplish for MTI members in a way "(which) the public doesn't always like, but MTI members do."

Matthews said being included with such notables was "a very humbling experience."

KEEP MTI UPDATED ON CHANGES

Please call or write to MTI if you have a change in name, address, telephone number, work location, or hours of work. Having this information allows MTI to serve you better, both personally and contractually. UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK

The 78th annual observance of American Education Week is November 14-20. This year's theme underscores the need to invest in education and thereby invest in the future of all citizens - young and old alike.

American Education Week calls one to think and speak out about the tremendous accomplishments by MTI represented staff, who have helped strengthen the greater Madison community and broaden and brighten opportunities for all. Wednesday, November 17, is the observance of National Educational Support Personnel Day as a means to recognize the significant contributions made by educational assistants, substitute teachers, clerical/technical employees, custodians and food service workers. MTI asks that teachers let their colleagues know how much their service is valued as a part of the education team which has made the Madison Metropolitan School District the #1 School District in the United States.

MTI FILES COMPLAINT OVER LONG TERM CARE

MTI has filed a complaint against WEAC, claiming that the promotion by WEAIT that its long term care program is better violates the agreement between MTI, WEAC and NEA.

In a communication to MTI members, WEAIT asserts, "Our analysis indicates that most people will be better served by WEAC's plan." WEAIT illustrates its comparison by using what they claim is a publication of or a compilation of information from publications of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. The OCI office denies that the publication is by their office and emphatically stated that they do not rank insurance products.

CREATING INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS: UNLEARNING HOMOPHOBIA

Homophobia, like other forms of prejudice, is pervasive in our culture. It divides families. It affects relationships in the workplace, in schools and our houses of worship. And it leads to fear and violence. As individuals, professionals and organizations, we can promote positive change.

A workshop is being held on this topic. The workshop is based upon the premise that all children deserve to be safe while at school. It is the intention of the workshop to create a safe learning environment in which participants can engage in self reflection and dialogue with others concerning homophobia and its affect upon children. It will begin by examining individual and societal attitudes toward homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered people. Then, the workshop will explore how homophobia hurts everybody at school, children and adults, whether they be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or straight. It will discover how actions (or inactions) may unwittingly support institutional homophobia and finally how people can become effective allies to one another, and identify actions to create safe, inclusive school environments.

The workshop will begin November 23, from 4:15 - 6:45 p.m., at Hamilton Middle School. Credit is available. If interested contact Ruth Robarts at rrobarts@madison.k12.wi.us. The instructors are Vida Groman and Mare Chapman (Lives Unlimited School of Healing Arts).

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO GO TO CHICAGO TO SEE "FOSSE"

Join your MTI colleagues for an entertaining trip to Chicago on November 20 by going to the Ford Center for the Performing Arts to the musical about the life and work of Bob Fosse, a theater director and choreographer. The production has been a thrilling experience for thousands. Fosse's work includes such musicals as Sweet Charity, Chicago, and Cabaret. The cost is $75.00 (ticket and bus). Call today for reservations and send your checks to MTI.

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Posted November 16, 1999