Milwaukee Educators Welcomed Legislators Back to School on September 10

Urged Conference Committee to Complete Their Homework on the State Budget

MTEA members and leaders were joined by Milwaukee-area lawmakers on September 10 for a Legislators Back-to-School Day.

Eight Milwaukee-area lawmakers took time out of their busy schedules to visit MPS schools in their district, and see the great things happening in schools. Lawmakers saw impressive college preparatory high-school programs, well-equipped school libraries, attentive students, and highly skilled and energetic teachers at each of the schools they visited. 

But our elected officials also saw signs of stress -- overcrowded classrooms, outdated textbooks, and a lack of appropriate technology -- indications that funds proposed for MPS in the 2007-09 state budget are more critical than ever.

During the concluding event at Mitchell K-8 school, MTEA representatives, MPS Superintendent William Andrekopoulos, and several state legislators addressed a 6th grade class.

MTEA Executive Board member and Chair of the Legislative Committee Kelly McMahon served as M.C., and Mitchell Building Representatives Kristine Sutter and Barbara Berdes were also present to help with the event.

In his remarks, MTEA President Dennis Oulahan urged the state Legislature’s conference committee to get their job done, and make sure that education remains a top priority as they complete their work on the state’s 2007-09 biennial budget.

“Educators and students are back in school getting to work and trying to do the best we can,” says Oulahan. “We think it’s time the conference committee put forward their best work, and make sure kids are their priority in the budget.”

Legislators echoed that message in their remarks as they reflected on their experiences in the schools.

“It’s my job to get the money that’s needed so the adults in the school can give you the kind of education that you deserve,” said Representative Pedro Colon to the class.

Other Milwaukee lawmakers spoke about the need to provide funding for school breakfast, closing the achievement gaps, helping children with special needs, and reducing class sizes.

“Our students deserve the kind of education that will prepare them for higher education, careers of their choosing, and leadership in our communities,” says MTEA President Oulahan. “MPS needs resources and support in order to provide that kind of education to our students. We urge the conference committee to keep that in mind as they complete their work.”

Officials who participated in school visits and/or the event at Mitchell include:

• Rep. Pedro Colón
• Rep. Jason Fields
• Rep. Fred Kessler
• Rep. Jon Richards
• Rep. Christine Sinicki
• Senator Lena Taylor
• Rep. Barbara Toles
• Rep. Josh Zepnick
• John Zapfel, representing the Governor’s office
  

“We’re extremely grateful to those legislators who participated in our Back-to-School event yesterday,” says Oulahan. “We hope they enjoyed their experience, and that they will continue to visit and see for themselves the fine work that goes on inside our MPS schools.”