Teachers Worry Seniority Will Hurt Job Security

Though a Dane County judge today , most Wisconsin school districts have operated the last few months as if the law will eventually take effect.

Assuming it does, the law will mean school districts must have policies dealing with a lot of issues normally negotiated – such as compensation for coaching duties and disciplinary action– because teachers won't be able to bargain for anything except wages.

Oak Creek teachers are concerned about at least one of the policies proposed by district administrators: one that would take into account seniority if the district decides it must lay off teachers.

The policy doesn’t specify how it would be considered, just that it would be one factor, along with qualifications, past performance and staff balance.

But teachers worry that because the most senior teachers are the highest paid, a teacher with seniority could be first on the chopping block. They feel that would be unfair and could impact a student’s education.

“A lot of times seniority gets misunderstood as ‘safety net,’” union president and East Middle School teacher Bernie Lindner said at Monday’s School Board meeting, which about 50 teachers attended.

“I don’t think that’s the case, especially in our district. In our district, the (union) has worked collaboratively to make sure we have quality educators in each building. It’s never been a crutch for teachers to not improve.”

Teachers also feel the policy could pit them against each other, instead of working together.

The fear is that “if you have a great idea, you’re going to keep it for yourself,” high school teacher Kathy Scaffidi said, “rather than having those senior teachers allow their knowledge to be spread to everyone else. That (is) a big concern.”

Superintendent Sara Burmeister said multiple factors would go into a decision to reduce staff, but the district is not planning on laying off teachers before the 2011-12 school year.

Some part-time aides hired with federal stimulus dollars will likely be let go, though Burmeister said that was known when they were hired, since the money was temporary.

The School Board is expected to take up the proposed layoff policy (among many other policies) at its June 13 meeting. Teacher contracts expire at the end of next month.