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Bell statement on legislative proposals for education
1/19/2012 1:45:53 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2012
Contact: Christina Brey, 608.298.2519
Bell: Governor does not embody the true meaning of collaboration
Mary Bell, a teacher and president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the largest education union in the state, issued the following statement on legislative proposals for education:
“Nobody will argue Governor Walker’s 50-thousand foot view on education reform and the basic goals he’s unveiled. In fact, much of what he’s taking personal credit for was work done by others, our union of educators included.
“It’s another example of why the people in Wisconsin have been saying: we don’t like Governor Walker’s approach and he does not embody the true meaning of collaboration.
“The truth is that the governor’s actions don’t mirror his rhetoric. You cannot cut $1.6 billion from education and not hurt students. As he claims to care about education, school districts across the state are cutting programs and laying off teachers. Lodi just announced 15 to 20 percent of staff will be laid off. His announcement sheds no light on how local school districts will pay for this when they’re already cutting staff and programs at record levels because of Governor Walker’s education cuts.
“There’s a credibility issue here – the governor is changing his stripes to appear as though he cares about our public schools because he’s realizing what Wisconsinites have been saying all along – we value our public schools and won’t stand for anyone dismantling them.
“Let’s take on the important topic of school accountability – but Governor Walker must be accountable for his budget cuts to education and the damage he’s inflicted on students, schools and communities.”
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The Wisconsin Education Association Council proudly represents dedicated public education employees across the state by amplifying their voices to ensure Wisconsin maintains high-quality public schools.
www.weac.org * www.facebook.com/myWEAC * www.twitter.com/weac
Follow what Wisconsin residents are saying about school accountability, quality & cuts at www.facebook.com/SpeakOutWisconsin.