Attention now focuses on upcoming legislative session

Now that the fall 2004 elections are over, it's time to focus on the upcoming legislative session.

"Republicans increased their majorities in both houses very slightly," WEAC President Stan Johnson said. "They will intensify their attacks on public education and working families for the next two years. WEAC members will be called upon to help fight these attacks."

Legislative leaders have vowed to make a proposed statewide property tax freeze and constitutional amendment to limit government spending the first items they vote on when they return to Madison this winter.

"These ideas would cause immediate and massive harm to Wisconsin's great schools and staff," Johnson said. "Using the Constitution to manage Wisconsin's budget problems is flawed and reckless fiscal policy that will not create great schools for any child."

Bargaining goals adopted

The WEAC Board of Directors has approved new statewide bargaining goals for teachers and education support professionals. The goals are guidelines for local associations as they bargain contracts.

The WEAC Bargaining Goals Committee developed the 2005-2007 goals.

"Bargaining goals are important, but ultimately they are dependent upon the strategies applied to achieve those goals," teacher co-chair of the Bargaining Goals Committee Matt Kranich said. "In line with the spirit of the Great Schools Statewide Action Plan, this year's goals emphasize the core values of collective bargaining."

American Education Week begins Sunday

Educators and communities throughout Wisconsin and the nation celebrate our public schools next week.

The 83rd annual American Education Week is November 14-20. The event celebrates great schools and the partnerships between teachers, support staff, students, parents and the community.

Sale of voucher school's luxury car may pay teachers

The only way former teachers of a now-defunct Milwaukee voucher school will ever receive their back pay may be through the sale of the school's luxury Mercedes Benz car.