With Layoffs Looming, Teacher Pleads with Board to Boost Morale

Two weeks of protests regarding Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill have placed Wisconsin teachers in the directly in the crosshairs of many of those who support the controrversial measure that would eliminate most collective bargaining rights.

On a night when the School Board approved , a district substitute teacher, Tania Renken, spoke to members about the importance of boosting teacher morale in Menomonee Falls.

Renken, who has two sons who attend Ben Franklin Elementary School, teamed up with a few others and brought 120 cookies to the teachers lounge last week to give the faculty a lift.

“I am extremely concerned about staff morale, and I would ask everyone in this (board room) to address that,” Renken said. “The public has lashed out at the teaching community in a way I’ve never seen.”

Renken said teachers have been called lazy, whiners, freeloaders, pampered, bottom-feeders and more by political pundits around the nation. Renken said her simple gesture brought tears of gratitude to the eyes of teachers.

Renken encouraged the board to issue a public statement in support of the teachers in the district.

“We need fully invested and passionate teachers,” Renken said. “Whether or not you have seen it personally, teachers are hurting.”

School Board President Kathy Shurilla said the district sent out a statement to all teachers expressing its appreciation for the important role teachers play.

“Wherever we stand on the changes that are being proposed, we have made it clear that we value our teachers,” Shurilla said. “There’s a lot of uncertainty, and we still aren’t sure what is going to happen with the state budget.”

Board approves several staffing changes

As , the School Board Monday approved 43 preliminary layoff notices for teaching staff. The layoffs were in response to a projected deficit of at least $1.7 million for the 2011-12 school year.

Depending on the severity of cuts in the state budget, which will be outlined by Walker on Tuesday, the district could see a $3.3 million deficit.

Superintendent Keith Marty said the district is prepared to issue up to 65 preliminary layoff notices, and a total of 12 to 25 full-time equivalency positions could be eliminated.

The district will issue final layoff notices no later than May 15.

The board also approved Marty’s retirement Monday. Marty has served the district for 22 years, and announced he was leaving for to become the superintendent at Parkway School District in suburban St. Louis.

Shurilla said a search firm contracted by the district will hold focus groups with the community Wednesday and Thursday to identify the traits desired in Marty’s replacement.

During the School Board meeting Monday, the following retirements also were approved:

• William Hintz, district administrator: Hintz served the district for seven years, and has been an educator in five different districts over the past 34 years. During his time with the district, he oversaw renovation and expansion of the high school, helped enrollment at the high school reach 1,500 students and an Academic Success Center was established at the district.
• Mary Schoonover, director of media technology: Schoonover served the district for seven years, and has 35 years experience as an educator and technology coordinator. Schoonover was instrumental in bringing a web-based library system to the district and has implemented numerous curriculum and development programs.
• Lynn Luebben: Luebben served students at all levels for 24 years in the district. She is currently a counselor at Shady Lane and Valley View Elementary Schools. She has also been a counselor at the high school. She has been involved in district efforts to address drugs and alcohol abuse