The Reality of Act 10!

By Jeff Simpson

Marshfield School District has been in the news lately,   This time they have shown us the consequences of ACT10. 

First this story from the Administrators where they praised ACT10:

School administrators in Marshfield are adamant the tools included in Act 10 have had a profound effect on their ability to control costs.

Since the law curtailing most collective bargaining rights for public employees took effect in 2011, the amount the district spends on salaries and health insurance benefits has declined drastically.


“These tools we have been given have been quite effective for us being able to curtail and control the costs,” said Pat Saucerman, business director for the Marshfield School District. “I don’t want to give Act 10 too much credit, but I do believe it’s had a positive effect on our ability to control costs as we move forward.”

The district spent about $16.6 million on teacher salaries last year — the lowest it’s been since the 2007-08 school year — according to unaudited budget figures, which is about $1.3 million less than three years ago, a 7 percent decline.

Yes the School District of Marshfield is now paying less in wages then they have in years.  I am sure that the local businesses in Marshfield thank them.  

Then came this story:

 The Marshfield School District has seen an unprecedented level of turnover among its teaching staff members in the two years since Gov. Scott Walker’s signature piece of legislation was signed into law.
A total of 77 teachers have retired, taken positions at other school districts, or left the profession entirely since Act 10 abolished most collective bargaining powers and required teachers and other support staff members to shoulder more pension and health insurance costs.
That’s about 30 percent of all teachers the district employs.
In the summer before teachers were subject to provisions of Act 10, 40 teachers retired, according to documents presented to the school board’s Finance Committee by district administrators last month.
Retirements essentially have been non-existent in the district the past two summers, but the same can’t be said about teacher resignations. Typically, the district would average about three teacher resignations a year during the decade prior to Act 10; that’s risen to 15 this past summer and 16 in 2012.

There you go Ladies and Gentlemen, Marshfield School District has just signed up to be the farm system to school districts all over the state.  You can have them the first couple years of their career, while they figure things out.  then send them to the districts who put education first!  

Yes,  ACT10 seems to be working well. 

I hope that Kenneth Slezak is able to let the fine folks in the 69th district what has happened to their schools.  I am sure the fine professionals who work at the Marshfield Clinic are none to happy that the best of the best teachers at their children's school are leaving for greener pastures.   



 


PS:  As capper says "there is more, there is always more."   Back soon with the Tonya Bjork "crimes against democracy" truth tour soon!