The Meaning of MTEA's Rejection of Children's Week

Mike Ford:

The Milwaukee Teachers Education Association (MTEA) Children's Week concept was a noble one. The idea was to have Milwaukee teachers, as well as high-profile business and community members, donate a week of their salary to the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). Union members, however, rejected the idea on a 2,296 to 1,635 vote.

I call the effort noble for several reasons. First, it would have put a little more money into classrooms at a time when MPS' budget situation is dire. The district soon will be paying almost $50,000 per-employee in health care benefits for current employees and retirees. The legacy costs in particular are responsible for a perverse situation where MPS' per-pupil costs (over $14,000 according to DPI) far exceed what a classroom or school actually receives for education purposes. MTEA's proposed gesture would have at least given classrooms additional resources next year.

Related: Ripon Superintendent Richard Zimman's 2009 speech to the Madison Rotary Club.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at April 5, 2012 1:34 AM
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