Wausau Teachers Turn Out in Show of Solidarity

More than 200 teachers -- most dressed in black -- attended the Wausau School Board meeting Monday (December 8, 1997) and called for solidarity in the fight against the Qualified Economic Offer law and school district revenue controls.

The Wausau Daily Herald report on the meeting quoted teachers and students:

• "I love teaching," said Eric R. Johnson, an English teacher at Wausau East High School. He warned the board that many young teachers will leave the district for higher-paying jobs if a better contract is not approved. "My reasons for leaving increase each day we do not have a contract," he said. "My advice to you is to give me a reason to stay."
• Dennis Nicoliasen, a 31-year veteran teacher in the district, said the school district's costing method made a 1.7% increase this year and a 1.01% next year appear to be 3.8%. "I would rather take nothing and fight," he told the board.
• "We can no longer let petty differences divide us," said Jim Reed, a science teacher at Horace Mann Middle School. "United we must stand or apart we will fall."
• Dwight Nelson, a math teacher at West, said teachers are trying to keep students out of the contract dispute. However, he added, "Sooner or later, the longer it goes on, it's going to involve students."
• Jay Kronenwetter, a student, told the board he was considering a teaching career. "That may not be a wise choice in this type of climate," he said.
• Molly Mattingly and Charles Alden, the student representatives on the board, said Kronenwetter's comments reflect the sentiments of many students. "Teachers deserve an increase in salary," Alden said.

A mediation session has been scheduled for Jan. 26, but teachers Monday night urged the school board to meet with negotiators and make a new contract offer before that. Wausau teachers -- like teachers in 256 other school districts in Wisconsin -- have been working without a contract since July 1.

Posted December 11, 1997