The Role of the BR & Building Committee

Building Representative

BR Alternates

BR Entitlement

BR Qualities and Qualifications

Support and Protection for BR's

MTEA Building Committee

Building Representative

The Building Representative (BR) is essential to our union's effectiveness in advocating for teachers.

• BRs 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.

• BRs 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.

• BRs attend monthly citywide meetings.  During the traditional school year, BRs attend two meetings on the same day, usually the second Wednesday of the month.  The first meeting addresses issues affecting all MTEA members and reps from our union's 4 units attend.  The second meeting addresses teacher-only issues and only teacher reps attend. 

• BRs 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.

• BRs 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, citywide elections of MTEA Officers and Executive Board members are held. 

  • Contract ratification and other voting matters are held as needed.

• BRs welcome new members.  BRs personally contact teachers and give special attention to new teachers who may be unfamiliar with the MTEA.

• BRs serve as delegates from their schools at the Annual Delegate Assembly in May of each school year. At this meeting, BRs 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.

• BRs distribute MTEA materials and post MTEA notices in their school. BRs make certain every teacher receives MTEA publications, including Sharpener (print edition).

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.

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 BRs.

Schools are entitled to additional BRs based on the number of members:

• 1-37 teacher members = 1 BR
• 38-62 teacher members = 2 BRs
• 64-87 teacher members = 3 BRs
• 88-112 teacher members = 4 BRs
• 113-137 teacher members = 5 BRs
• 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 union activities
• Communicates what is taking place within the school and within our union.
• Exhibits a strong commitment to the MTEA.

Support and Protection for BR's

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

Most MPS administrators realize that working with elected teacher representatives benefits the entire school. 

Generally, administrators refrain from penalizing teacher representatives.  In rare cases when 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.

The MTEA Building Committee

Each school is entitled to have an MTEA Building Committee.  This committee, comprised of a few members from the school, is elected to help resolve concerns and problems.  The committee also helps the BR communicate schoolwide with teachers.  Similar groups of members, such as speech pathologists, are also entitled to their own group's Building Committee.

Building Committee Members

BRs are expected to serve on the Building Committee. In addition to the BR, the committee includes no less than 3 and no more than 5 teachers.  The Educational Assistant Chairperson is also a member of the committee.

• BRs conduct election in May
• Majority must be union members
• Teachers decide on members
• Principal cannot choose members nor be involved in any way

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.  

• The committee's chairperson runs the meeting. (Chair does not have to be BR)
• Principal may have assistant principal in meetings.
• 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 specific solutions and deadlines.

Communicate to Staff

• Provide a written report to the staff after the meeting.  (Principals should not edit those reports.)
• Publish victories and resolutions.
• If an MTEA staff member has been supporting the committee, send him/her a copy of the report.

Follow Up

• Hold principal accountable to commitments and deadlines
• Begin each meeting with a review of previous agenda items and resolutions
• If you experience problems, contact an MTEA staff member for assistance.

Read the 6 Basic Steps for Highly Effective Building Committees.