| Walker's track record on education cannot be overlooked when it comes to 'Read to Lead' WEAC supports the goal of the governor's Read to Lead Task initiative - to ensure that every Wisconsin student can read proficiently by the end of the third grade - but questions the governor's track record when it comes to ensuring Wisconsin students maintain a high-quality public education system, WEAC President Mary Bell said this week.
"The Governor's rhetoric implies this initiative is a priority for his administration, but his track record proves otherwise," she said. Bell pointed out: - Governor Walker cut $1.6 billion from school funding (over $800 million less in state aid and a 5.5 percent reduction in school revenue authority) - the deepest cuts since the Great Depression.
- Class sizes for kindergarten to third grade are on the rise across the state, affecting the educational attainment of our state's youngest children. This happens while the research and data suggest that if you want to help students succeed, you start with smaller class sizes.
- Teacher and staff layoffs across the state mean students will receive less individualized attention, another factor proven to have a powerful influence on student outcomes. In fact, across the state, 9 out of 10 students are affected by staff reductions in their school district.
- As a result of state budget cuts, 18% of school districts reduced reading specialists, affecting a full 21% of Wisconsin's students.
- And more than 25% of school districts have decreased their library and media staff.
Read more 
The final push for recall petition signatures  We are in the final stage of collecting more signatures on recall petitions. United Wisconsin, which is organizing the Walker recall drive, is asking people to turn in their petitions by mail or in person by Tuesday, January 10. Check with your UniServ office to see if it has earlier drop-off dates. The last official report was that more than 507,000 signatures had been collected. Just over 540,000 verified signatures must be collected to force the Walker recall, but the goal is to collect more than 720,000. This is definitely a case of the more the better.
More information about the recall election
Four meaningful resolutions for 2012  As trusted members of their communities, educators can make all the difference in this crucial election year by speaking up for students and schools. Consider the following pledges for the year to help support your profession, schools and students:
- Get active for public education.
- Consume less junk news.
- Keep a positive outlook.
- Cut back on stress by joining with your colleagues to maintain a strong, collective voice on issues affecting your profession, schools and students.
Read more
Nominate a Badger Kid for hockey, basketball  Nominate an outstanding student from your school or family to be a 2011-12 WEAC Badger Kid, serving as a special guest at University of Wisconsin hockey or basketball games. WEAC invites families, teachers and school staff from across the state to tell us why your student stands out in your community and your school and should be a WEAC Badger Kid. Click here to read more and nominate!
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The latest from the
At the Capitol blog: Two people with close ties to Scott Walker were arrested on embezzlement charges this week as part of an ongoing criminal investigation focused on people who served during Walker's reign as Milwaukee County executive.
Politicians are judged not only by the ideology they subscribe to, but also by the company they keep. It would seem that Walker has failed on both accounts.
To read more, go to weac.org/atthecapitol. To subscribe, enter your email address in the box on the right side of the page. 
Election to fill vacancies on Trust boards With the death of Dennis Hortum in December, a vacancy exists on both the WEA Insurance Trust Board and the Member Benefit/WEA TSA Trust Board. Therefore, the WEA Inc. Board will need to elect interim representative(s) at the February 18, 2012, Board of Directors meeting. This individual(s) will serve until May 31, 2012. The next regularly scheduled election will take place in April 2012, at which time individuals will be elected to fill available at large three-year terms. If you would like more information about the requirements for serving on the Trust Boards or have questions, please contact the WEAC Executive Director's office at 1-800-362-8034, ext. 219.
Dennis Hortum, a WEAC-Retired member from Kiel, passed away after complications from surgery in December. Dennis was a longtime WEAC activist and dedicated teacher and mentor to many in the profession and in our union.
This is an 11.29 communication to WEAC members and staff. | |
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