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WEAC credits Grigsby, Coggs for delivering a viable MPS option

Posted: 11/16/2009 11:43:40 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: November 16, 2009
CONTACT: Christina Brey, 608.298.2519

WEAC credits Grigsby, Coggs for delivering a viable MPS option

MADISON – The Wisconsin Education Association Council, the largest union of educators in the state, today announced support for the RACE for Success Act unveiled by Representative Tamara Grigsby and Senator Spencer Coggs. The plan provides a viable option to turn around MPS and is collaborative, building support for MPS through community engagement.

WEAC President Mary Bell issued the following statement:
 
“The future of Milwaukee’s public schools is a statewide issue. As schools improve there, the community and the city's economic future will improve. And Milwaukee's success impacts the rest of our state.
 
“We all recognize there needs to be significant and system-wide change in Milwaukee Public Schools, but that requires more than a transfer of power or a few concepts. We need a systemic approach that can be supported by those who work in the schools and with the students.
 
“We applaud Representative Grigsby and Senator Coggs for bringing forward a viable legislative option to mayoral control. We agree you can provide reform without dividing the community.
 
“We see many themes between the Grigsby/Coggs proposal and our union’s Milwaukee Opportunity Plan; such as fiscal accountability; increased parent involvement and community participation; the need for a more consistent, high-quality curriculum; establishment of Promise Neighborhoods through federal grants and SAGE for 9th grade. WEAC remains committed to its partnership with the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) and the ideas contained in the Milwaukee Opportunity Plan. We hope the authors of the state’s Race to the Top application will incorporate those ideas.
 
“Educators want change and our union wants to be part of the solution. This is much more than making quick changes as a means to receive one-time federal grants. It’s about establishing thoughtful policy that will help Wisconsin’s students succeed. We remain committed to collaborating with groups to help shape the future of Milwaukee’s public schools in a way that brings groups together to help students succeed.” 
 
For more information about the Milwaukee Opportunity Plan, a framework of low-cost, systemic changes that provide an alternative to Governor Doyle’s proposed mayoral takeover of Milwaukee Public Schools, visit www.weac.org/Milwaukee.

Wisconsin Eye video of press conference
 
 

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