Monday, August 25, 2008

Testimony of EA Members Moves MPS School Board Committee

Passionate presentations by members of our union - mainly educational assistants led by MEAA President Tommie Lee Glenn - made a difference at the August 19 meeting of the Milwaukee School Board’s Finance/Personnel Committee.

Members described how valuable general educational assistants are to the schools and to the students.

MEAA Executive Council Leaders Speak Out

 

Tommie Lee Glenn explained what EAs do to touch the lives of children. He spoke of the relationships that EAs have with students. He noted that EAs are parents of MPS students, that they live in the neighborhoods of students they serve, and the EAs are role models – in and out of school.

Cecelia Collins, an at-large representative on the MEAA Executive Council, observed that earlier in the meeting, the committee quickly approved hiring 6 supervisors at salaries averaging over $70,000 a year. She stated EAs work directly with children for a fraction of what the Board pays folks who walk around with clipboards.

Phyllis Deal, the MEAA Treasurer, reminded the Board that general EAs are highly qualified to work in classrooms and should be grandfathered to continue their effective work with children. She stressed that general EAs completed 40 hours of classes on how to support instruction just a few years ago, in order to keep their jobs under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

EAs Facing Layoff Give Powerful Testimony

Several general EAs identified for layoff this fall also went to the microphone and proudly described how they assist children in the classroom everyday. They talked about tutoring students, working in computer labs, covering classes for absent teachers – doing the same work as paraprofessionals. One member explained that although she knew such duties were not in her job description, she felt obligated to help the children.

Teachers Also Testify on the Importance of EAs

Our EA members were supported by the testimony of teachers as well. Kelly McMahon, an MTEA Executive Board early childhood representative, explained how much she relied on EAs in working with small children who need lots of individual attention.

Three Committee Members – Very Supportive

After the testimony, 3 School Board directors voted to restore the EA positions - Peter Blewett, Michael Bonds, and Charlene Hardin. Their vote affirmed what the Board had approved in June - to keep 40 full-time equivalent general EA positions.

(Director Tim Petersons voted no and Director Jennifer Morales was not present when the vote took place.)

Final Vote at August 28 Meeting

Under School Board rules, when a committee (usually 5 members) takes a vote, it is a recommendation to the full Board (9 members).

The committee's August 19 recommendation will be considered by the full Board at its August 28 meeting.

The public is not allowed to speak at meetings of the full School Board. (The Board rarely suspends its rules to allow public testimony.)

Show Your Support by Attending!

 

We urge you to attend the August 28 Board meeting - even though you will not be able to speak. Your presence in the auditorium is very important. It will demonstrate support for keeping general EAs in the classroom to the full School Board.

 
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the auditorium of the MPS central office at 5225 West Vliet Street.