My gut feel was that Walker's "tools" would be a one time way to make budgets work, then later trash teachers by asking them to contribute more toward their benefits which would in turn lower their wages even more. Quality teachers would disappear and be replaced by less qualified applicants from all walks of life, creating higher turnover and lousy educational outcomes for our kids.
So while Scott Walker tries to advance an image of success through TV ad blitzes and slogans like "It's working," the public will see something much different playing out every community in the state. And they won't like it, like the following from another Walker success:
PostCrescent: After making cuts to elementary school music programs, library media specialists and the Family and Consumer Education program for this school year, Menasha school officials may need to make deeper cuts for 2012-13. Supt. Robert Kobylski said "Right now we're looking at approximately a $1.7 to $2 million deficit for the 2012-13 school year budget."
While the district ended the current budget process with a surplus the preliminary projection of a $1.1 million deficit prompted decisions to reduce expenses. Spending cuts … staffing reductions among teachers and paraprofessionals, produced a net savings of just over $1 million. But the new employee retirement plan contributions, a salary freeze for all employee groups and changes in health insurance plans provided almost $1.9 million in savings.
The preliminary budget for this year included increased class sizes at some grade levels. This fall, district officials became uncomfortable with some growth in class sizes so some staffing has been added. The board approved a recommendation to extend the teacher retirement notification deadline from Feb. 1 to June 1 due to looming uncertainty among teachers who are waiting for a new personnel policy handbook to be approved.
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