Posted on 02/19/2011 6:12:10 PM PST by Libloather
Budget Battle: MPS Responds to Sick-Out
By Tim Lethlean
Story Created: Feb 19, 2011
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Public Schools is responding to numerous questions from parents, families, and residents as to how the budget discussions and "sick-out" impact the education process in the district.
Below is text produced by MPS in an attempt to answer those questions:
**SNIP**
Will there be discipline for teachers and others who called in sick to go to the protests in Madison?
What happens when the district has to close schools due to teacher absences?
What expectation does Superintendent Thornton have for MPS employees during these protests?
Many employees have continued to report to work. Has the Superintendent acknowledged their commitment?
How can the district head off additional school closures?
What would the volunteers do?
How many volunteers will MPS need?
Could any citizen or parent volunteer?
In asking for volunteers to help in the schools, is MPS saying to its workers that it does not support them?
How can I, as a parent, keep up with the latest information about school schedules?
(Excerpt) Read more at 620wtmj.com ...
I was just thinking the same thing. Wonder how many parents had to scramble to find someone to watch their little ones because of the teachers walking off their jobs. And I wonder how many had to take a day off work to stay home with them? Yea smooth move ex-lax.
I guess they will have to make up this day. It just seems like this type of behavior is going to put the educators in the worst possible position.
I’d be pretty well yanked about it if I were a student. I hated school.
Those who are AWOL (absent without leave) or who called in sick since the protests started in Madison will face disciplinary measures that will range from deductions in pay to suspensions or terminations. Cases will be reviewed individually. Severity of disciplinary action would vary by length of the absence, or other factors.
We shall see.
Also extending the school year also impacts families vacations.
Also extending the school year impacts families vacations.
A “no-class” action lawsuit is in the works for parents who had to pay daycare during work stoppage.
To whom should working parents submit vouchers for their baby sitter and transportation costs resulting from the absence of teachers?
The issue is that the state mandates a minimum of 180 days of instruction per year to a maximum of 187 days. Throw in a couple of “snow days” that they have already used and they will not meet the minimum number of days and thus they have to extend the school year to make up the days.
I hope the teachers can get overtime pay if the school year is extended.
Looks like a win-win for ‘fairness’ in any bankrupt state.
We have more time then they do.
Besides,0 says, ‘everyone must share the burden.”
Superintendent Thornton continues to assert that MPS employees should honor their contracts and their commitment to children and come to work when they are scheduled. Dr. Thornton has said that employees have a right to protest, but they must do it on their own time, outside of work hours. MPS does NOT pay staff to attend rallies. If we continue to see staff absences affecting our ability to provide educational services, Dr. Thornton will be forced to recommend to the Board that legal action be taken against the teachers’ union (MTEA).
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LOL! This is gonna be good!
Yep, sounds good to me. Talk about insult to injury. Taxpayers pay these people even though they weren’t working. They lied about being sick and yet they get to keep their jobs? How many people can say the same? Personally I think the state could save a lot of money by firing about half the teachers. Seeing that Wisconsin has a 14.7 to 1 student/teacher ratio. They could afford to fire some and maybe up to half.
Yes and making up the lost day of school is going to cost the taxpayer even more money. Talk about insult to injury.
That will be part of the collective bargaining deal.
I hope you meant to say the Teachers CANNOT get overtime pay
I read an article, right here at F.R. today and now I can’t find it. The governor of one state was trying to get a law whereby any college graduate could teach school, no matter what their major. Anybody here remember what state that was?
This ‘sickness’ sounds very wide-spread and serious.
It sounds much more serious than the last flu scare.
Time for CDC and homeland security to step in.
Quarantine all teachers until full physicals and lab work can be done.
FEMA CAMPS !!!
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