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Every few years, teacher contract talks frequently dominate the local news. Often however, Wisconsin citizens are quite "in the dark" because the story doesn't get reported completely or because neither the teacher association nor the Board of Education keeps the newspaper up to date on the progress of those talks.
GBEA members said clearly that they want progress in dealing with issues that prevent them from doing the best job possible in the classroom. |
This year in Green Bay it may be different.
The Green Bay Education Association represents more than 1,500 full- and part-time teachers in the public schools. Its contract with the Board of Education expires on June 30, and the two parties will begin bargaining a two-year successor agreement.
Like teacher associations everywhere in Wisconsin, GBEA first surveyed its membership to determine what they wanted brought to the negotiations table. Contrary to what the general public might pick as the teachers' primary consideration (money), the GBEA members said clearly that they want progress in dealing with issues that prevent them from doing the best job possible in the classroom.
This is not unusual. All across Wisconsin, public school personnel report that they are in their jobs because they "like kids" or that "they feel they make a positive difference."
It is no wonder that in Green Bay the teacher bargaining effort will work to revise current contract language on disruptive students. It is no secret that students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach if disruptions upset the learning atmosphere. Procedures need to be in place so that teachers can deal effectively and fairly with disruptive students.
Another top priority is a teacher request that they be given time to attend the parent-teacher conferences for their own children. Such a change in the district policy for the teachers would be a strong example to the rest of the community.
Public schools reflect the diversity of the communites they serve. While diversity strengthens schools, it also presents challenges for classroom teachers.
Public school teachers are challenged every day by children who have limited English or are bilingual, or are EEN (exceptional educational needs) children. Teachers need the time to plan and meet regularly with colleagues to develop and modify the educational plans for these students especially. In Green Bay, the contract talks will address this area of concern.
Naturally, the talks will include economic issues. GBEA is proposing that the district change its health and dental plans and is suggesting a carrier that will enable the district to save considerable dollars by making the change.
The other major monetary topic to be considered will be salary. As teachers throughout Wisconsin well know, the so-called "Qualified Economic Offer" law will impact that discussion.
Originally enacted in 1993, the law prevents teachers from using the arbitration process if a school board offers a minimal salary increase. Under the law, base teacher salaries are typically increasing about 1.5%, which is well below the increase in the cost of living (about 3% per year).
Naturally, with nothing to prevent a higher salary settlements and especially if a new insurance carrier can be found at a savings to the district, GBEA hopes that the board will agree to a salary package that keeps Green Bay high on the list of desirable places in which to work both in terms of working conditions and pay.
Public schools work for Wisconsin. They work in Green Bay. They work because well-intentioned men and women bring a high degree of professionalism, talent, and a sense of personal and community pride to their jobs.
Many boards of education recognize this and work with their school employees to solve those problems that threaten the quality of their public schools. They are building on the best.
In Green Bay, the teachers want to do no less.
Posted June 11, 1997