A message from Superintendent Craig Gerlach:
Dear Monona Grove School District Parents,
The Monona Grove School District will be open for school on Monday, February 21. Kristine Wollerman, Monona Grove Education Association (MGEA) President, representing the leadership of their association, will direct all MGEA members to attend school beginning Monday, February 21, 2011.
In addition, all teachers are expected to separate political and union issues from instruction in all cases, unless this is part of a planned current event in a social studies classroom. In social studies classes too, teachers are expected to present balanced perspectives, and not advocate for their own view.
Many parents have asked what discipline will result from teachers not reporting to work on Thursday and/or Friday. Teachers not coming to work will be docked pay for one or two days depending on the number of days they were out. Continued participation in statewide job action may result in discipline in accordance with state law, district policy, and the collective bargaining agreement.
Options are also being considered regarding make up days or time to deal with instructional time that has been lost due to this job action. The Board of Education will be discussing this on Tuesday, February 22nd at the regular meeting.
As the superintendent of schools, I will work with other district leaders and all staff to unify our efforts to provide the best possible education for your children. We need to pull together for our students, especially after a period of turmoil and divisiveness.
I have received many emails, phone calls, and personal comments that represent a wide range of political perspectives. I take your comments and concerns seriously.
Finally, I realize that the events of this past week have been very difficult and stressful for all of us. We must strive to keep our collaborative efforts focused on the education of our children. The school district will do everything possible to set a positive tone and provide the best possible educational experiences for our children.
Sincerely,
Craig Gerlach
Superintendent
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Community Listening Session For MG Budget Reduction Proposals.
Monona Grove Schools Closed Friday.
From the district website:
Unfortunately, the majority of our teaching staff has called in absent. We are unable to secure enough substitute teachers to provide a safe learning environment for our children. Therefore, school will be closed tomorrow, Friday, February 18.
We understand the concern over loss of instruction and the inconvenience this is placing on our families.
After school activities will take place unless otherwise notified.
All staff members are required to report to their respective buildings.
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Unfortunately, the majority of our teaching staff has called in absent. We are unable to secure enough substitute teachers to provide a safe learning environment for our children. Therefore, school will be closed tomorrow, Friday, February 18.
We understand the concern over loss of instruction and the inconvenience this is placing on our families.
After school activities will take place unless otherwise notified.
All staff members are required to report to their respective buildings.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Monona Grove School District Is Closed Thursday Due To Teacher Job Action.
Monona Grove joins Madison, DeForest and Oregon School Districts in closing schools down tomorrow. I'm sure this list will get longer.
A Personal Message From School Board President Susan Fox:
Hello,
There have been a few comments/requests related to the Board's decision to withdraw our current draft of a final offer until we have clarification of the new legislation. You should draw no conclusions about what the Board might or might not do regardless of what form pending legislation may take. Quite simply, we need to know what rules/parameters we are dealing with.
In the meantime, I sent personal comments yesterday to a couple dozen or so legislators. I am not authorized to speak for the full Board in this realm, and the full Board cannot issue a statement without a posted public meeting. Therefore, I am speaking, from my physical location in Arizona, only for myself. But for what that's worth, here are my comments to legislators:
Speaking personally as a school board president in a district which does not have a settled contract with our teachers, I urge you to defeat the bill proposed by Governor Walker. The extreme nature of these proposals will damage the working relationships among teachers, administrators, and board members, and thus harm students. Speaking specifically of my own school district, they will undermine current efforts to pursue innovation in which many of our teachers have been engaged. These proposals show no respect for teachers or any other public servants in stripping away long-held rights to bargain. Other than the hearings held on Tuesday, there has been no public, thoughtful communication with stakeholders--no meaningful attempt to gather input-- on these proposals. There has apparently been no thought given to unintended consequences for schools or the economy, many of which will be negative and far reaching.
The fast track movement of this bill shows disdain for the democratic process. Please vote to defeat this bill.
Sincerely,
Susan Fox
There have been a few comments/requests related to the Board's decision to withdraw our current draft of a final offer until we have clarification of the new legislation. You should draw no conclusions about what the Board might or might not do regardless of what form pending legislation may take. Quite simply, we need to know what rules/parameters we are dealing with.
In the meantime, I sent personal comments yesterday to a couple dozen or so legislators. I am not authorized to speak for the full Board in this realm, and the full Board cannot issue a statement without a posted public meeting. Therefore, I am speaking, from my physical location in Arizona, only for myself. But for what that's worth, here are my comments to legislators:
Speaking personally as a school board president in a district which does not have a settled contract with our teachers, I urge you to defeat the bill proposed by Governor Walker. The extreme nature of these proposals will damage the working relationships among teachers, administrators, and board members, and thus harm students. Speaking specifically of my own school district, they will undermine current efforts to pursue innovation in which many of our teachers have been engaged. These proposals show no respect for teachers or any other public servants in stripping away long-held rights to bargain. Other than the hearings held on Tuesday, there has been no public, thoughtful communication with stakeholders--no meaningful attempt to gather input-- on these proposals. There has apparently been no thought given to unintended consequences for schools or the economy, many of which will be negative and far reaching.
The fast track movement of this bill shows disdain for the democratic process. Please vote to defeat this bill.
Sincerely,
Susan Fox
Possible Statewide Teachers Strike Tomorrow?
WEAC is calling for a statewide job action tomorrow. At last count, our district has had notification from about 30% of our teaching staff that they will not be at school tomorrow. More here.
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