Category: Recent News

Mark your calendars for September 2 – Laborfest

Laborfest is right around the corner. This year’s fest will once again be held on the Madison Labor Temple’s lawn September 2, from Noon-5:30. This family friendly event will offer live music, food, beer tent, and a bounce house for the kids.

View flyer on South Central Federation of Labor website: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/a49d3d_16153be68fdb46699db8daedca525b68.pdf
RSVP to the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/354335365233396/

Join us for a fun night to welcome and celebrate Educational Support employees.

ESEA-MTI (Educational Support Employees Association) represents approximately 875 Educational Assistants, Special Education Assistants, Nurse Assistants, SEA Substitutes, Clerical Employees, Computer & AV Technicians and Programmers, Family Liaisons and Security Assistants employed by the Madison Metropolitan School District.

The ESEA-MTI Board invites all new and seasoned support staff to attend this event.

Learn about union member benefits and how to get involved, win raffle prizes, ask questions, share concerns, and mingle with fellow MMSD staff.

All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments provided.

RSVP to MTI@MadisonTeachers.org by September 9

Correction: 

The voluntary day (August 30) applies to 192-day Teacher Contract staff only. This day enables teachers to spend the Friday before school starts preparing their classrooms or curriculum free from administrative directives.  Additionally, many teachers prepare curriculum or get their classrooms ready during the summer; days for which they are not paid.  This voluntary day acknowledges that salaried staff are expected to be prepared when students arrive on the first day of school. Those who are prepared can choose whether or not they come to school on that day and how they will spend their time if they do.     

BRS and all other hourly staff work schedules as dictated by administration.  Most hourly staff are directed to work that day and will be compensated accordingly. 

It’s that time of year when administrators send e-mails, memos, and letters outlining “required” trainings, professional development, and other meetings during the summer months. Often, staff are encouraged to attend meetings and trainings wherein administrators use language that does not clearly indicate that any attendance during the summer or the voluntary day for returning staff is entirely voluntary. Addendum A, Section 15.11 of the Handbook is clear and provides that attendance at any District-offered staff development opportunities during the summer recess be compensated, either with Professional Advancement Credit (PAC), extended employment salary, or payment for graduate credits (if such is offered). The Handbook language also states that such communications “clearly convey the fact that teachers will not be penalized or suffer harm for choosing not to volunteer.”

Anyone with concerns or questions about attendance on non-contract or voluntary days should contact Jeff Knight at MTI. MTI does not discourage voluntary participation; however, it is out of respect for MTI-represented individuals that the Handbook is clear and direct regarding one’s participation or lack thereof.

Educational Assistants are required to work August 26 (All Staff Day). EAs are also required to work two (2) out of the remaining three (3) days between August 27-29, which days will be determined by the principal at each school or work site. EAs will be notified, by work site, by June 7, which two (2) days are required. All EAs are also required to attend all inservice and professional development (PD) days.

For the 2019-20 School Year:

• August 21, 22 & 23: New Teacher Days

• August 26, 27, 28 & 29: Required workdays for all members of the teacher unit

• August 30: Voluntary day for some staff

Correction/Clarification:

The voluntary day (August 30) applies to 192-day Teacher Contract staff only. BRS and other hourly staff work different schedules and many will work on this day.

• September 3: First day of school with students