Will loss of QEO hurt or help education?
Teachers will tell you that they’re not in their profession to get rich; that teaching is a calling. But they also want fairness at the bargaining table and believe that Wisconsin’s Qualified Economic Offer law, which died with recent passage of the state’s new biennial budget, did not allow fairness.
However, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards argues that with revenue limits still in place, the demise of the QEO will only hurt students in the long run.
In Friday's Gazette, we'll present a package that offers the perspective of teachers from the voice of Dave Parr, president of the Janesville Education Association; and the perspective of school boards, as written by John Ashley, executive director of the WASB.
Pick up a copy of Friday's Gazette to read these columns, covering both sides of an issue that should concern all of us.
Greg Peck
Jul 31, 2009 at 9:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Again, here is my take. The QEO was wrong to start with...a person should be able to get a proper wage raise for the performace they do. Saying that, if the performace is poor, then they should not get a good raise, if any. I am educated and work in industry and a raise is based on my performance and the company's performance and if either are lacking, then the raise is small (and this year there was a cut in salary). So why should teachers (or any other government based position) be allowed to bargain (union) a raise when most free market industries can cut cost by reducing the work force and wages? Answer: Because the union forgets where the money comes from (the tax payers) and may think that the money from the government is free. They forget that they are also part of that good old "national debt" that is in the trillions of dollars. We all work hard, even the teachers, but if you want a job that pays for 180 days (compared to my 250 days) then your yearly salary is going to be less. If you want more then work all year long like me (and 45-50 hours a week).
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.