The Role of the BR & Building Committee

Building Representative

BR Alternates

School Leader Meetings

BR Entitlement

BR Qualities and Qualifications

MTEA Building Committee

Support and Protection for BR's

Building Representative

The Building Representative (BR) is essential to the effectiveness of the MTEA in representing teachers.

• BR's serve as delegates from their schools at the Annual Delegate Assembly in May of each school year. At this meeting, BR's adopt the MTEA budget, dues, and constitutional amendments. Representatives from the educational assistant, substitute teacher, and school accountant/bookkeeper units also participate in the Assembly.
• BR's attend monthly development and business meetings .
• BR's serve as liaisons between their schools and the monthly meetings . BR's voice the concerns and opinions of members from their schools, and are responsible for reporting back to them what occured at the meeting.
• BR's support MTEA policies and positions. They communicate policies and positions, and encourage members in their school to participate in activities, such as letter writing, in support of the MTEA position.
• BR's help to enforce the contract . When a contract question arises in the school, teachers look to the BR for an answer.  BR's are in contact with MTEA staff if they need advice or additional information to answer a member's question.
• BR's conduct building elections and balloting procedures .
• During May, elections are held for the Building Representative(s), the Alternate(s), and the Building Committee.
• Every two years in April, city-wide election of MTEA officers and Executive Board members are held. 
• When necessary, balloting for contract ratification and other voting matters are needed.
• BR's distribute MTEA materials and post MTEA notices in their school. BR's make certain every teacher receives MTEA publications, including the Sharpener newsletter.
• BR's welcome new members.  BR's personally contact teachers and give special attention to new teachers who may be unfamiliar with the MTEA.

BR Alternates

Alternates assist BR's in the school and attend BR meetings when the BR is absent. An Alternate is elected for each BR when elections are held in May.

School Leader Meetings 

School leader meetings take place after school on the second Wednesday of each month from October through June. September meetings are usually held at the start of the school year, in combination with the annual MTEA Leaders' Convocation.

BR Entitlement

The MTEA Constitution provides that each school is entitled to at least one BR. Similar groups of members, such as speech pathologists and social workers are also entitled to a BR.

A school with more than 25 teacher members is allowed an additional BR for each additional 25 members.

• 1-37 teacher members = 1 BR
• 38-62 teacher members = 2 BR's
• 64-87 teacher members = 3 BR's
• 88-112 teacher members = 4 BR's
• 113-137 teacher members = 5 BR's
• etc.

BR Qualities and Qualifications

Some of the qualities of an effective BR are:

• Willingly listens to teacher views and concerns.
• Speaks for the majority of the faculty and is sensitive to all viewpoints
• Enthusiastically helps teachers uphold their rights.
• Objectively analyzes problems and works toward positive solutions.
• Involves other teachers in MTEA activities
• Communicates what is taking place within the school and within the MTEA.
• Exhibits a strong commitment to the MTEA.

The MTEA Building Committee

Each school is entitled to have an MTEA Building Committee. Similar groups of members, such as speech pathologists are also entitled to a Committee.

This committee, comprised of a few members from the school, is elected to help resolve concerns and problems within a school. The committee also helps the BR in communicating with teachers.

Building Committee Members

BR's may serve on the Building Committee if they desire. In addition to the BR, the committee consists of not less than 3 and no more than 5 teachers.

• BR's conduct election in May
• Majority should be MTEA members
• Principal cannot choose members nor dictate the structure of the committee
• Teachers decide on members and structure (it doesn't have to be one teacher per grade level)
• Educational Assistant Chairperson should be included

Meetings with the Principal

The Principal is required to recognize and meet regularly with the Building Committee. The contract requires principals to meet with the committee once a month if a meeting is requested by either the principal or the committee. More frequent meetings may take place if a situation warrants it.  

• Building Committee Chairperson runs the meeting (Chair does not have to be BR)
• Principal may have assistant principal in meeting
• Present agenda items with details, specific examples, and recommendations for resolving the concern(s)
• Take good notes
• Obtain commitments for follow-up from the principal, including deadlines and specific solutions.

Communicate to Staff

• Provide a written report to the staff after the meeting (principal should not edit your report)
• Publish victories and resolutions
• If you have been receiving assistance from an MTEA staff member, send a copy of the report to the staff member

Follow Up

• Hold principal accountable to commitments and deadlines
• Begin next meeting with a review of previous agenda items and resolutions
• If you experience problems in addressing your concerns, contact an MTEA staff member for advice and support.

Support and Protection for BR's

BR's, Alternates, and Building Committee members receive support and assistance from the MTEA staff .

Most MPS administrators realize that working with elected teacher representatives benefits the entire school.  Generally, administrators refrain from penalizing those elected to represent teachers.

In rare cases where teacher representatives were mistreated, MTEA filed prohibited practice charges against the principals. In each of these cases, the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) found principals guilty and ordered corrective measures to protect the teachers involved.