Dear Fellow WLEA Members,
Many of you are aware of the parent group called "Walled Lake Save the Electives". They have been communicating with Dr. Hamilton for the last 2 weeks, and I have received many letters from members of the group. They are concerned that their sons and daughters will not be able to take as many elective courses as in the past due to increased state core requirements and the 6 hour day schedule at the high school. While the Michigan Department of Education requirements are mandated and add to the complexity of scheduling, there are no plans for the total elimination of any Fine and Performing Art Programs.
The high school committee I first worked with this fall proposed a plan that was not approved by the Bargaining Team. The reasons for the bargaining team decision are on the high school schedule blog and I hope you can go there to read about it, if you have not already done so. Much of the history of the committee's work is there.
In the meantime, I have spoken to Dr. Hamilton every day this week (February 15 - 17) about working toward another acceptable solution to this problem. Yesterday afternoon he sent a letter to the parents stating that the union leadership and the district are discussing this issue, asking that they allow the time for discussion and the bargaining process to occur.
As I have more information, I will share this with the membership. I would also urge anyone who wants more information to refer to my blogs, write, or call.
www.tfitzjake.blogspot.com
www.tfitzjakehighschoolschedule.blogspot.com
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to your profession, and for taking the time to stay informed regarding the issues facing our membership.
MEA
About Me
- Tfitzjake
- I wrote this introduction 6 years ago, and it is even more important today than ever. The voices of educational employees need to be heard above the roar of public school attacks in this country. We are on the front line; we are highly educated and trained professionals. Why are we being ignored? I am an educator. I was the president of the Walled Lake Education Association for over 6 years, and before that, the treasurer for 8 years. I have been on the bargaining team for 15 years. I am now the MEA UniServ Director for 7K and parts of IJ. I want our voice to be heard! Today's educational climate requires that we all stay informed regarding the issues affecting our chosen profession!