The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves

"The floggings will continue until morale improves." ~ The exact origins of the quote are unknown, but many attribute it to the Japanese Imperial Navy and it insinuates corporal punishment to improve morale.

Why am I using this quote in a blog about a poll taken with educators in SE Wisconsin? Because the WEAC poll in question surveyed 3,800 professional educators in Milwaukee County - and included teachers in the Greendale School District. A vast majority or teachers in GPS are members of WEAC, and what the poll finds is shocking and disheartening to anyone who believes in or has children in public education.

December 2011 WEAC Survey Resulsts:

• 3,800 teachers surveyed in Milwaukee County (did not include MPS teachers)
• Included Greendale School District and GEA members
• Ted Kraig (WEAC and Uniserv Director) said “vast majority of Greendale school teachers are WEAC members.”
• 72% surveyed would NOT encourage potential teachers to pursue a career in education.
• 78% said schools were NOT better off this year than last year.
• 76% said their district had fewer resources to meet to meet the needs of all children.
• 57% said they considered leaving the profession in the past year.
• 55% said they are concerned about job security.

Another recent survey (November 2011) by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) found:

• 3,368 fewer educators and staff are employed this year in Wisconsin.
• There are 1,655 fewer teachers this year.
• 66% of the school districts said they will need to make the same or DEEPER cuts next school year.
• 59% of districts said they have increased class sizes already this year.

If you are thinking to yourself, "So what, that doesn't include Greendale. We are immune to that crap. We pay high taxes here for our good schools."

Well:

Greendale School District:

• Saw $814,000 cut in state funding this year.
• Student enrollment increased this school year (five year trend).
• There will likely be a deeper cut next year.
• Up to 39% of students at the elementary level are eligible for free or reduced lunch.
• 70% of staff members are enrolled in a high-deductible health insurance plan ($4,000 deductible).
• GSD saw a record number of teachers retire this year (4 X the average).
• Governor Walker's "big tax cuts" saw a decrease in our local tax levy by 0.02% (or a total of $3,114 for the entire village).

To put this in perspective, I just received my tax bill from the village and my property taxes decreased by $29. Now I have to ask myself, "Is all this B.S. worth the $29 Walker saved me?" Hell no it isn't!

I believe that you get what you pay for - and I also believe that one of the best things Greendale has going for it and that helps keep property value up is the excellent PUBLIC school district. And when you start to dismantle that you start messing with people's lives and childrens' futures.

I understand that a home is a huge investment, but in my family it is not our only investment, nor is it our most most important investment - that title belongs to my children. My children are my most important investment, and that includes their education and their future - and those things are certainly worth more than $29.