A letter from the teachers:
“Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? But conscience asks the question, is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position, that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right!” Dr. Martin Luther King
On Friday, February 18th, many teachers in the SCF school district broke the rules they agreed to uphold and traveled to Madison to protest the budget repair bill. As a result, there were not enough subs to cover and Glenn Martin, in order to ensure the safety of the students, was forced to cancel school.
Though we were aware that our actions had the potential to close school, that was never our intent. For most, this was a gut wrenching and difficult decision to make. Not one of us made it lightly. We were breaking a promise we made to a community that trusts us with their children. This is a fact that weighed heavily on each of our hearts that day. All day.
Still, we are not sorry that we went.
Many of us live in this community. We have family and friends and neighbors that are counting on us to do our job–and we are saddened that many of you feel that we let you down. Many are angry. We have, no doubt, damaged some relationships and lost some trust. And so we come before you–guilty as charged. We apologize for the disruption this caused. Each of us takes full responsibility and are prepared to face the consequences.
Still, we are not sorry that we went.
Why?
About the middle of last week, when it began to be clear to us what was happening in Madison, and how the Budget Repair Bill would damage not only the core of a proud tradition of excellent education in Wisconsin, but also ripple through our communities with waves of painful unintended consequences–each of us took a hard look deep into our souls. What we found there was a choice–to play it safe here in St. Croix Falls, or to stand up for all of our children, all of our futures, all of Wisconsin and what we believe to be right.
Collective bargaining has been happening in Wisconsin for over 50 years. Statistically, states with collective bargaining score higher on ACT/SAT test. Five states without collective bargaining and their respective ACT/SAT rank are Virginia (44th), Texas (47th), Georgia (48th) North Carolina (49th) and South Carolina (50th). Wisconsin and Minnesota tied for 2nd.
This is not about money. This is not about pensions, or health care, or benefits or salary. This is about the right to sit down at the table to discuss, to collaborate, to negotiate, to work together to solve the complex problems that we face today. This is collective bargaining. This is negotiation. This is what we teach our students to do every day. To collaborate. To negotiate. To work together. To appreciate differences and perspectives. But most of all–to stand up and do what’s right.
Even when you are standing alone.
I support you 1000%. Thank you for your courage to take a stand and fight for what you believe.
I do not think the teachers should be fired for lying about calling in sick last Friday. Although it was a terrible inconvenience for the entire community, I believe docking their pay for that day would be fair.
As far as collective bargaining goes you sound like a bunch of professional athletes. 90% of the American work force is non-union and do not collectively bargain and they seem to be doing ok.
I do feel bad for the “Dave Hansens (retired SCF teacher)” that put twice as time and effort than any two other teacher combined. There were teachers in that board meeting last night that have been teachers since I was in school. “Some” of those teachers should not have been teachers in the first place. To think they are still teaching 13 yrs later is dishearten. They were/are the teachers who are the last to arrive and the first to leave. I know why these teachers were at the meeting last night…..Because they know their days are numbered.
Peter, thank you for your comment. I agree with you. There are bad teachers. Many bad teachers. Lazy. And I think you are right. I think their days are numbered. Make no mistake. That is a very very good thing. They have been protected for far too long. There have been so many of them, for so long, that they have created an image that, for many of us, is hard to overcome. My hope is that recent events scare most of them into retirement–so that the rest of us can more easily get down to business.
Oh. And let me be clear about one more thing. Nobody lied.
Chris,
You have mentioned some statistics about collective bargaining and ACT scores. Would you mind sourcing those for us?
Thank you for asking Chris. Here are two links that you can use. Match this link http://goo.gl/NVLvp to this one: http://goo.gl/43J6z If that doesn’t do it, please ask for more. I can get them. And thank you for trying to understand.
This is a well written letter. I hope you send it to all the area press. Thanks for writing it!
That’s weird. Peter, are you comparing teachers and professional athletes? Do you know what the difference is between teachers and professional athletes? Millions and millions and millions of dollars. It seems silly to us (who have never seen millions of dollars) when athletes negotiate their huge salaries because we’d be happy with whatever was offered, right? The teachers are not negotiating their huge (haha) salaries. They are fighting for their RIGHT to negotiate. Period. This is not about money. They do not want their Right To Negotiate taken away.
$56,000 in annual salary, $43,000 in benefits, extracted by FORCE from the taxpayer who is not allowed to refuse your services. In the private sector, we can refuse to purchase a product, or shop for a better deal. Allow school vouchers and you Marxists will be on the streets again. This time you will be carrying “Looking for work.” signs
I wish I was making $56,000 in salary. Try about $15,000 less than that and you’ll be in the ballpark. The coolest thing about teaching is that everyone (thinks they know)s how much you make.
Benefits? Yeah. My insurance costs the taxpayers way more than it’s worth–to me. I don’t need nearly that much. So, while you’re benefit number is also high (in my case), my dog is much smaller in that fight.
“FORCE” ? “services” ? So, what you’re really saying here, in a sense, is that you’re not interested in providing a free education to Wisconsin kids. To that I will only say . . .whatever.
Let’s see. Violated the law against public sector strikes. Violated the “collective bargaining agreement” with an illegal strike. Committed fraud by claiming to be sick when you weren’t and went to illegal strike. Filed a fraudulent document when some of your members submitted false claims of being sick signed by fraudulent doctors.
WHAT PART OF “EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ILLEGAL STRIKE SHOULD BE FIRED” DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND? Perhaps your reading comprehension is at the same level as many of your graduates.
Tom,
Perhaps the law against public sector strikes should be violated. Many of the laws that marginalized citizens in the past needed to be violated to be changed. Do you know fraud was committed? Perhaps the teachers called in well, or requested to use a personal day.
I understand you disagree with Mr. Wondra, but really, insulting his ability to read and comprehend while you insult the ability of SCF graduates to read and comprehend (or were you insulting all Wisconsin high school graduates?) Whatever your intention, it was inappropriate, mean and unfoundedl. It is truly uncalled for in this situation. Mr. Wondra has conducted himself with respect and tolerance for perspectives. I would be grateful if my children were able to have him as a role model or a teacher.
Hi Jessica
I appreciate your response. You may not be familiar with professional sporting organizations but collective bargaining has been and continues to be a hot topic in all four major organizations. I do not think that anybody is taking the right away from the teachers to negotiate. It is my understanding that the Governor is tired of the teacher’s union hold the tax payer hostage. In fact, I believe the collective bargaining in the past has limited the top performing teacher’s wages. If you take away collective bargaining the “Dave Hansens” are going to be in high demand. When you are in demand you can demand higher wages. At least that is how the real world works.
@Jessica – Another even more significant difference between a professional athlete and a teacher is a merit or performance based pay system. Further an underperforming professional athlete will not receive an additional pay step for staying on the job for an additional year. The underperformer will be replaced by someone who will hopefully do a better job. The decision will be made by management and may be enforced in a single day. It will not be subject to arbitration or reinstatement on a technicality.
Flannery–I think what you’re trying to say here is that the teacher unions protect bad teachers. I agree with you. And that sucks. Let’s change that. But do you really want to throw the baby out with the bathwater? Do you really understand the consequences, both unintended as well as intended?
Additionally, hasn’t anyone realized what else Walker has snuck into this bill to give him more power to cut medical aid to the poor and elderly? Anyone else realize that this bill would also result in a loss of 46 million in Federal money to the department of transportation?
Let’s all open our eyes and take a look at what all this means.
Hi Chris
I am not trying to be disrespectable but I am trying to understand everybody’s perspective concerning this situation so I can make an informed decision. I have friends and siblings that could be affected if this bill goes through. I have read the bill multiple times so I feel that I have a decent understanding however not a perfect understanding. In general, what do you believe this bill is intended to do? Do you feel that there is a budget crisis at the state & federal levels? Thanks Peter