Mtea President Bob Lehmann Responds To A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Series On Public Employee Benefits

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Many well-meaning individuals question the values of a society that pays eight-figure salaries to athletes while those who teach our children are among the lowest paid professionals. Unfortunately, these well-meaning individuals don't back up their sentiment with action. In fact, the same individuals who become furious when the local baseball club cuts its player salary budget by $10 million say nothing when state revenue caps force the local school district to make cuts in excess of $30 million, year after year.

The fact is that public school teachers are the only employees in Wisconsin who have been working under state-imposed wage and benefit controls for the past 11 years, and the political and community leaders of this city do not seem to care. Instead, the hometown newspaper is on a mission to blame the hard-working educators of this district for the financial woes facing this community. The real story that should have been told in the recent employee benefits series (Journal/Sentinel, November 16-18) is the malfeasance of those in charge who have not fulfilled their fiduciary responsibilities. When teachers in this school district gave up salary increases over the years to provide for security during their retirement, it was with the understanding that MPS would be putting those savings into the negotiated retirement account. This newspaper glosses over the fact that the past financial managers of MPS have been grossly negligent and have created an inadequately funded liability that is now being blamed on the teachers.

Additionally, the superintendent of schools is quoted as commenting that "...young people...(are) not even that interested in the health insurance." This remark clearly indicates that he has little understanding of the make-up of the very talented professional staff that is working so tirelessly on his behalf. Approximately three out of four MPS teachers are women, and many of these younger teachers are starting families of their own. It is totally absurd to say they are "not even that interested in health insurance."

MPS has been making significant improvements in the recent past. One clear example is that our third grade reading scores showed the highest percentage increase in the entire state. This is due, in large part, to the tireless efforts and common focus of Milwaukee's teachers. It is becoming increasingly more difficult for our members to keep focused on our common goal, providing the best educational opportunities for MPS students, when those who should know better portray teachers as the problem rather than the best hope for our children's future. As educators, we look for support and leadership from those who should know that the vitality of this community starts with its educational system. The success of this school system is rooted in its teaching staff - a staff that is certainly not compensated like athletes and most certainly not treated like them.

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Posted December 4, 2003