The Governor's reforms improve education in the state

According to a survey by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators released by DPI:

• New teacher hires outnumber layoffs and non-renewals by 1,799 positions
• The three districts with the most teacher layoffs (Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Janesville) didn’t adopt the reforms put in place by Governor Walker.  Those districts account for 68% of teacher layoffs for the entire state, but only contain 12.8% of Wisconsin students.
• 75% of districts have the same K-3 class sizes or are decreasing them
• 67% of districts have the same 4-6 grade class sizes or are decreasing them
• 78% of districts are keeping student fees the same or decreasing them
• 92% of districts are keeping sports programs the same or expanding them 

An analysis of school district surveys done in the last decade and recent survey data from the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) shows in the FIRST YEAR under Act 10, there schools reported major improvements as far as the number of districts that laid of staff, increased class sizes, kept all extra-curricular programs and sports, and kept all art and music classes.

 

The Governor's reforms allow school districts and municipalities to manage staffing based on merit and performance

Previously, under union contracts, school districts and municipalities were required to arbitrarily layoff the newest employees first.  Also, pay increases were dictated by years of service and level of schooling, not on an employee’s performance.
 
Under Act 10, school leaders have the ability to reward the best and brightest teachers with higher pay.
 
Also, in cases where school leaders deem termination necessary, they can now expedite the process without lengthy, expensive arbitration and legal fees.
 
For example, the Middleton-Cross Plains District has spent more than $400,000 trying to terminate a teacher after an investigation revealed 23 documented instances involving school emails that contained inappropriate material.  The $400,000 bill for arbitration and legal costs is paid for out of the schools operating budget.
 
State and local government employees continue to be protected by numerous state and federal employment laws.

The Governor's reforms allow school districts to make budget decisions and set work rules based on what's best for education

Staff salaries and compensation make up the bulk of school budgets (approximately 75%).  When that was untouchable due to union contracts, districts facing shortfalls were forced to cut from the remaining fraction of the budget (programs, supplies) or lay off staff. 

School leaders may now consider changes in benefit packages and other options to keep teachers on the job and save taxpayer money.

For example, after reforms in the Fond du Lac District, school leaders decided teachers would eight hours per day instead of seven. 

In Brown Deer, teachers now teach six of eight classes instead of five. 

In Kaukauna, teachers are now required to work eight hours per day instead of 7.5.

Kaukauna School officials estimate staffing flexibilities will save the district $575,000 this year.