Perhaps Teachers Will Soon Feel the Furlough Pain?

Wisconsin Teachers May Face Furloughs Soon
New Senate Leader Proposes Cuts For Next Budget Cycle
Updated: November 19, 2010

Incoming State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said a teacher from his district gave him the idea, pointing out that students are in school for 180 days by law, but teachers work for 185 days by many district contracts (In Sun Prairie it's 190 day contracts). That means there could be five days possible for furlough that wouldn't affect teaching time.

"It is something that I think may have to be done in an effort to balance this budget," Fitzgerald said.


While we support teachers and education, we believe they also need to "feel the pain".  While teachers are guaranteed a 3% salary increase each year by virtue of "the grid", state employees have been operating under a 3-5% pay CUT for the past 2 years.  Newsflash, teachers....the word on the street is that state employees will be getting no raises for another 2 years, but they will get 16-26 extra days off (the unpaid furlough kind).  If state employees get stuck with 16 to 26, surely you need at least 5.  You still get your 3% raises.  State employees go Oh for Four...as in 0% for FOUR years.