Teachers' union president incorrectly advised staff members about call-in process
[We have received this press release from the Oshkosh Area School District and are happy to pass it on to our readers...]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2011
For more information contact:
Donald Viegut
Superintendent
Oshkosh Area School District
(920) 424-0160
On February 17 and February 18, 2011, during a period of heightened activity at the State Legislature, a number of Oshkosh Area School District employees were not in school, even though schools within the District remained open and in session.
A review of staff call-ins occurring on those days by the Oshkosh Area School District indicated that staff members were incorrectly advised by OEA President Len Herricks that District Administration supported a call-in process. Mr. Herricks has acknowledged that he may have become overly involved in the statewide effort to challenge the pending Budget Repair Bill, and the Oshkosh Area School District has dealt with this incorrect advice and the matter of emails sent by Mr. Herricks as a personnel matter.
The District, the Oshkosh Education Association (OEA) and Oshkosh Paraprofessional Education Association (OPEA) are all in agreement that sick leave or other paid time should not be used and will not be paid for attending political events on District time. Use of paid sick leave within the Oshkosh Area School District has always been limited to a narrow group of approved sick leave related reasons. OEA and OPEA indicated it was never the intention of the Associations or their members to use sick leave benefits. Instead, their members used the sick leave notification process as a mechanism for advising the district that they would be absent. Members who attended the rallies in Madison will not be paid for those days and the district will be compensated for the cost of a substitute. The Associations have also committed to supporting the District in reminding all staff that leave requests need to follow the proper process and that any future such call in incidents will lead to suspensions and possible termination of employment.
The understandings between the District and Association were reduced to writing.
It is the collective mission of the district and its employees to educate the children in their care. The District’s first responsibility is to those children and to their families who entrust us with the care of their children. Everyone involved understands that the District and its employees have a fiscal responsibility to the citizens of our community. OEA and OPEA said that the members that went to Madison were doing what they believed was important for the future of public education. The District cannot, however, support absences from the workplace.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2011
For more information contact:
Donald Viegut
Superintendent
Oshkosh Area School District
(920) 424-0160
On February 17 and February 18, 2011, during a period of heightened activity at the State Legislature, a number of Oshkosh Area School District employees were not in school, even though schools within the District remained open and in session.
A review of staff call-ins occurring on those days by the Oshkosh Area School District indicated that staff members were incorrectly advised by OEA President Len Herricks that District Administration supported a call-in process. Mr. Herricks has acknowledged that he may have become overly involved in the statewide effort to challenge the pending Budget Repair Bill, and the Oshkosh Area School District has dealt with this incorrect advice and the matter of emails sent by Mr. Herricks as a personnel matter.
The District, the Oshkosh Education Association (OEA) and Oshkosh Paraprofessional Education Association (OPEA) are all in agreement that sick leave or other paid time should not be used and will not be paid for attending political events on District time. Use of paid sick leave within the Oshkosh Area School District has always been limited to a narrow group of approved sick leave related reasons. OEA and OPEA indicated it was never the intention of the Associations or their members to use sick leave benefits. Instead, their members used the sick leave notification process as a mechanism for advising the district that they would be absent. Members who attended the rallies in Madison will not be paid for those days and the district will be compensated for the cost of a substitute. The Associations have also committed to supporting the District in reminding all staff that leave requests need to follow the proper process and that any future such call in incidents will lead to suspensions and possible termination of employment.
The understandings between the District and Association were reduced to writing.
It is the collective mission of the district and its employees to educate the children in their care. The District’s first responsibility is to those children and to their families who entrust us with the care of their children. Everyone involved understands that the District and its employees have a fiscal responsibility to the citizens of our community. OEA and OPEA said that the members that went to Madison were doing what they believed was important for the future of public education. The District cannot, however, support absences from the workplace.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 12:25 PM
4 Comments:
Lying and cheating is alright, "Its for the children"
The people who did this are few and far between. So yes, when teachers say 'it's for the children,' the majority of them mean it. If you think it's such a great job and so easy with great pay and benefits (or any public sector job, for that matter) why haven't you completed an application to do the work? I suspect most people who make comments like you do not have the intestinal fortitude to do the work you expect others to do for whatever YOU think they should be paid. Hypocrisy at its finest.
when did your site, and your show, become an arm of the union and democrat party?
The site and show have ALWAYS been about giving people news, information and opinions about things going on in the area which affect them or in which they might be interested. However, it is apparent from your comment that you haven't seen the show as we haven't discussed labor issues to date. Additionally, the show is hardly an arm of the Democratic party, either. We have hosted both Democrats and Republicans and their various viewpoints. Being fully informed before commenting can be helpful in future "discussions" or before making posts that make one look otherwise.
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