WEAC members energize Great Schools Statewide Action Plan

WEAC members are mobilizing and generating excitement for the Great Schools Statewide Action Plan.

The WEAC Representative Assembly adopted the plan last April. It calls for members to engage in various levels of activity in order to win support for a revised system of school funding that ensures that every child has access to an adequately funded public education, and a fair collective bargaining law for teachers and education support professionals.

"The Great Schools Statewide Action Plan is member-driven," WEAC President Stan Johnson said. "Its success depends on the involvement of members throughout Wisconsin. Local leaders, UniServ directors and WEAC staff are available to assist in tailoring and implementing tactics at the local level. They cannot replace the involvement of membership, however. To be successful, the plan must have the commitment and participation of members throughout the state."

Participating locals have committed to one of three levels of activity.

An I See Red Day on October 15 will be one of the most visible tactics. That's the day members and supporters of public education will wear red to demonstrate their commitment to vote for candidates who support the goals of the plan.

Today is the last day to order bulk shipments of I See Red T-shirts and sweatshirts. Locals who want more than 45 T-shirts or sweatshirts should place their orders today on the Members Only section of OnWEAC at www.weac.org. Members can order individual T-shirts and sweatshirts through September 30. Sizes medium and 3X may not be available.

In October, participating locals will ask their school boards to adopt resolutions supporting repeal of state-imposed revenue controls and the QEO, and creation of a new school funding system.

The resolutions would read, "The XXX School Board hereby requests that the Wisconsin State Legislature return local control to local school districts by repealing the Qualified Economic Offer (QEO) and the revenue caps and support a change in state funding to public education that ensures that every child in the local school district has access to an adequately funded public education."

Locals will ask their school boards to submit the resolutions to the annual Wisconsin Association of School Boards convention for adoption.

The Members Only section of OnWEAC contains a wealth of information and assistance for participating locals, including text and graphics to help members customize campaign fliers and newspaper advertisements for use in local school board elections and referendum campaigns. The finished pages can be downloaded, printed and copied; or ordered in bulk from WEAC's print shop.

They are available in the "Tools for Local Programs" section of the Members Only site.