Welcome to the
Monona Grove Education Association!
MGEA Update: February 12, 2010
Budget Cuts
As you know the MGSD is determined to cut $1 million from its
General Fund Budget. The items on the lists for cuts affect
programs and teacher jobs. The Monona Grove Education
Association is in support of continuing and maintaining our current
level of programming. We will urge the School Board to look at
other ways to save money that do not affect student learning
opportunities. Please consider attending the last of the
community and staff listening sessions. The next staff
listening session is at Winnequah from 4:15-5:30pm. The last
community listening session is Saturday, February 20 at Winnequah
from 10am-12pm.
Teachers were given an opportunity to weigh in on the budget cuts in
January. Each building collected feedback and I typed it up.
The board members saw the list of 41 ideas on February 10.
Please remember that these were individual teacher responses and not
endorsed in any way by the MGEA.
The MGEA encourages all teachers with programs or jobs that are up
for cuts or elimination to advocate for their programs and jobs
during the listening sessions or upcoming board meetings. The
board has said it intends to have all decisions made by 2nd board
meeting in March.
School Board Elections
There are three candidates running for two seats for the upcoming
School Board Elections. Peter Sobol and Susan Manning are the
incumbents with Jennifer Pickel (from CG) also running. The
MGEA will again invite the candidates to come and talk to a panel of
our teachers. If the candidates pass our screener we will
recommend their candidacy through a letter to all WEAC members that
live in Cottage Grove and Monona. Sarah Croak is heading up
this committee with the help of Steve Fehringer, Jaime Schmied,
Susan Guess, David Kinsler and Julie Witherell.
Negotiations Update
Negotiations are still under way. A few items have TA’s
(tentative agreements). The two sides have agreed to allow a
mediator to come in to help them in March. We are still very
concerned about the district wanting to take away our retirement
benefits. They currently are offering nothing in exchange for
this, which is very disappointing.
NEA Voting Materials
Please return your NEA ballots to me by March 1.
Kristine Wollermann
MGEA President
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