WEAC members plan lobbying activities, rally at Capitol

WEAC members throughout the state will celebrate National Teacher Day May 6 by standing up for their profession.

The WEAC Representative Assembly is urging all members to wear blue ribbons May 6 to celebrate public education and to contact their legislators by phone, letter, fax or e-mail.

Specifically, members are urged to tell their legislators how state-imposed school district revenue controls are harming education and how the “Qualified Economic Offer” law is undercutting the education profession.

The nearly 900 delegates to the WEAC Representative Assembly voted April 19 to urge members to mark National Teacher Day by drawing attention to the successes of public education and to the threats currently posed to public education.

The RA also voted to organize a rally and lobby day at the Capitol in June. Details on that event are being worked out and will be announced soon.

Both items were the result of a motion brought by Madison Teachers Inc. President Sara Bringman. In a spirited floor debate, delegates repeatedly proclaimed the need for members to actively lobby and speak out against revenue controls and the QEO.

“We need to have a clear, vocal protest to these actions,” said one delegate. “Silence implies consent.”

Members need to create their own blue ribbons to wear May 6. Blue ribbons looped in the shape of the icon on this page and pinned to clothing is suggested.

The ribbons will demonstrate support for public education and act as a catalyst for discussions about revenue controls and QEO.

For more on the WEAC Representative Assembly, click here.

Posted April 28, 1997