A package of education changes that includes granting the state new powers to crack down on failing schools is quickly moving through the Democratically run Legislature, but Rep. Annette "Polly" Williams is none too happy about it.
Williams, a Milwaukee Dem, is stung because she wasn’t part of the group that put together the compromise.
Proponents of the bill say it is a necessary step to make the state competitive for federal "Race to the Top" funds. The package, which does not include mayoral control of Milwaukee Public Schools, was introduced Monday and was approved by the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, 5-2, with GOP Sen. Luther Olsen joining four Dem members to pass the bill.
Though Williams had registered in support of the original superintendent powers bill at a January public hearing, she now signals problems with some of the changes, particularly a provision that would take away tenure for principals and assistant principals. She said if principals can have tenure pulled, teachers should have the same treatment.
"We’ve got some teachers, too, that need to be moved," she said.
– WisPolitics.com
