The year 2011 has brought with it an uncertain future for educators and students in Wisconsin. In February 2011, Governor Scott Walker proposed several budget cuts which include cuts to Union benefits as well as a proposed 800 million dollar budget cut to Wisconsin schools. Due to these budget proposals, thousands of educators in the state of Wisconsin are facing pay cuts and/or layoffs if these budget cuts do, in deed, pass the State legislature.
Wisconsin educators fear for the future of education in Wisconsin. During the initial protests by unions around the state pertaining to the budget cuts to unions, several school districts were closed down for several days. This leaves educators wondering what is next. There is some talk that privately funded or for-profit alternative schools will be the plan for the future of education.
It is projected that if the state pushes through the educational budget cuts that are proposed, the effect on communities around the state will be overwhelming. In fact, many school districts around the state have already begun to hand out preliminary layoff notices. Some districts have even begun to send out notices to their entire staff. At the moment there are union rules as to how layoffs must be handled. However, if the governor’s proposed budget repair bill is passed, it will void out the current union policies thereby allowing schools to issue layoffs without regard to previous union rules. Schools will be able to layoff whatever teachers will help them to reach their budgets.
Wisconsin is already among the lowest paid teachers in the Midwest. There is concern that if this bill passes it will force higher educated, more experienced teachers to abandon their loyalties and passion for education and seek out higher paying jobs elsewhere. At this point the future of education in Wisconsin is concerning. Due to these ongoing educational cuts and union issues, will Wisconsin students have any chance at a good education in the future?