We have developed a public relations program which is telling the story of our great schools. Finally, we have mobilized our members to become involved in elections and in the political process. This member involvement has paid off. Last November, public education was victorious in Wisconsin as 70 of 85 WEAC recommended candidates were elected to office and 15 of 17 school referendum questions were passed. With Burmaster's election, with the election of pro-public education school board members in Milwaukee and around the state, with the passage of more and more school referenda, the voters have spoken forcefully and clearly.
Education is important - and great public schools are our priority.
When I was growing up, there was no question in my mind that my parents, who didn't have the opportunity to graduate from high school, expected me, and my brother, to do well in school, to graduate from high school, and to go on to college. They believed that education was the key to a better life. Today politicians and business leaders complain about the cost of our public schools. They seem to have forgotten that the word invest means to spend time and money for future benefit. They seem to have forgotten that spending time and money on our children, on our public schools, is an investment.