Dear Parents of MPS Students:
As educators in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), we want to explain why we joined the demonstrations in Madison. We have deep concerns about Governor Walker’s Budget Repair bill. It will devastate the quality of education offered to the students of MPS – your children.
MPS teachers and educational assistants have a local union – Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA). MTEA is our collective voice and speaks out for improving MPS students’ education. The Budget Repair bill will eliminate the voice of those who work directly with children every school day. It will harm our students and our profession.
Our union stands up for changes that will make a real difference for students. For example, as parents, you know that class size matters. Smaller class sizes mean teachers can spend more time with individual students who need extra help. If the governor’s bill is passed, we will no longer have a union to fight for the class sizes MPS students deserve.
But the budget which Governor Walker is proposing for the next two school years is far more damaging to Milwaukee’s public schools than his Budget Repair bill. Governor Walker’s 2011-13 state budget could cut up to a billion dollars from the public schools of our state.
His cuts will decimate programs and services that students need for successful futures. His budget will mean massive layoffs and eliminate programs like art, music, foreign language, and physical education. It will be a disaster for students, parents, and educators in MPS.
We ask you to talk about the future of public education in our community. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors to stand together in the coming weeks to protect the future of all children. We need your voice in fighting against Governor’s Walker’s budget proposals.
For information on how you can help to stand up for our public schools, please go to our union’s website.
We hope that you will join us in fighting for the future of all children in MPS.
Sincerely,
The Members of the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association