Bills Would Extend Protective Status to Teachers at State Institutions

Legislators in both houses have introduced bills to extend protective status – for retirement purposes – to teachers and librarians employed at state correctional facilities, mental health institutions, and sexual predator treatment facilities.

Under current law, protective status, provided for occupations that require frequent exposure to a high degree of danger or peril, is not extended to teachers or librarians.

Employees with protective status, typically provided to law enforcement professions, receive preferred retirement benefits.

The bills were introduced by Sen. Kimberly Plache of Racine and Rep. Terry Musser of Black River Falls.

"Teachers and librarians in these facilities are exposed to potentially dangerous situations every day," said Michael Moore, director of WEAC Council #10, which represents these state employees. "They deal with the most violent and aggressive individuals in the state. Many have been physically assaulted and threatened by their students."

Just last year, Moore said, a teacher at Mendota Mental Health Institution was attacked and strangled by one of her students. During the 1983 disturbance at Waupun Correctional Institution, most of the hostages taken by the inmates were from the education section.

"The teachers and librarians in these facilities have security duties similar to those already in the protective status," Moore said.

Teachers, librarians at state institutions face danger every day

Posted February 1, 2001