Legislators hear from WEAC leaders

WEAC leaders are making sure public school educators' voices are heard in the Legislature this session. President Terry Craney, Vice President Stan Johnson, Board Member Steve Holden, and NEA Director Mary Bell are among leaders testifying at legislative hearings this month.

Charter schools

Johnson discussed WEAC's positions on charter schools at a Joint Finance Committee budget hearing in Milwaukee April 8.

Johnson testified that public school employees should be full partners in the establishment of and implementation of charter schools in Wisconsin. He said charter school provisions in the governor's budget proposal would break down that partnership.

Under one proposal, for example, people petitioning for a charter school would no longer need the signatures of the teachers involved. That, Johnson said, "cuts public school employees out of the process for establishing charter schools."

WEAC and the WFT urged the committee to require that all charter schools be "instrumentalities" of a school district. They also urged that Milwaukee charter schools be a subject of bargaining.

"Public school employees should not be forced to sacrifice their collective bargaining rights and their participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System in order to participate in the establishment of a charter school," Johnson said.

Johnson said WEAC and WFT also oppose giving the city of Milwaukee, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Area Technical College authority to run charter schools.

"That authority should remain with the local school board," he said. "Local school boards are responsible to local taxpayers for spending on K-12 school programs."

Technical colleges

Board member Steve Holden, who testified before the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee on April 9, said the governor's budget proposal does not provide enough money for the Wisconsin Technical College System.

WEAC and WFT support increasing the WTCS budget 2.5% annually; the governor proposes a 1% annual increase.

Holden also urged that administration of the school-to-work program remain in the Department of Public Instruction, and that WTCS classes count toward work requirements for W-2 participants.

WEAC President Terry Craney and NEA Director Mary Bell were scheduled to testify at Joint Finance Committee budget hearings at future dates.

For the text of Craney's testimony, click here

Posted April 10, 1997; Updated April 18, 1997