What's so 'objectionable' about a teacher survey?

Matthew DeFour

The Madison School Board on Monday approved using an employee survey as part of its potential process for devising new employee work rules, although such a tool would be illegal if the state's collective bargaining law is overturned, district lawyer Matt Bell said.

The School Board agreed not to issue the survey until the legal uncertainties related to last week's court ruling overturning key parts of the state's new collective bargaining law, known as Act 10, are resolved.

Prior to Friday's ruling, Superintendent Jane Belmore told the board the survey results would be collected and analyzed by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards at a cost of $1,000.

The survey would ask respondents whether they "strongly disagree," "disagree," "agree," "strongly agree" or have "no opinion" about questions such as "The hours I work are reasonable" and "Layoffs should be based on seniority."

Madison Teachers Inc. executive director John Matthews said the union is opposed to the district using an employee survey.

"Let's have people who teachers already trust providing that input," Matthews said.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at September 19, 2012 1:41 AM
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