MTEA raises temperature as MPS starts sending budget-saving elimination letters to employees

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The war of words is heating up as tough decisions are being made about the direction of the Milwaukee Public School district.

More than 200 employees are getting letters saying their positions are being eliminated. It's part of the district's efforts to plug a $46 million budget deficit.

But predictably, it's not sitting well with the teacher's union.

This latest battle is over what constitutes a classroom educator. The district insists no classroom teachers will be cut. But the teacher's union says people who help students in the classroom are getting letters.

Ingrid Walker-Henry is the president of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association (MTEA). At a news conference Thursday, March 26, she told reporters, "It's infuriating. Because we know how important all the positions that work with our students are."

Walker-Henry took particular aim at MPS superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius.

Cassellius has long said the cuts that she proposed and the board approved will not affect classroom teachers, counselors, nurses, psychologists or social workers.

But Walker-Henry called her a liar. She said student-facing educators like paraprofessionals are getting letters, and classroom learning will be impacted.

Walker-Henry said, "We're talking about paraprofessionals who pull children aside and assist them in their learning. We're talking about children's health assistants."

But with a $46 million deficit, cuts have to be made somewhere. The staff cuts will save $30 million, according to the district.

Before Thursday's board meeting, Cassellius told reporters, "Change is just hard. It just hard. Every single one of our employees are so important. And we are going to try and find a place for every single one of our teachers."

Cassellius said teachers are getting notices, but only those not assigned to specific classrooms. And they will be given priority to fill other open positions. "Any teacher that is being excessed, they will absolutely have a job here."

And more teaching positions will open up as the district works to further reduce class sizes, Cassellius said. But she warned the district cannot continue as before.

The union also had a warning.

Walker-Henry said, "When we talk about sacrifices, it does not come at the expense of our students."

Complicating this relationship between the district and the union is the ongoing negotiations over a new contract.

The two sides met this week.

Both Brenda Cassellius and Ingrid Walker-Henry insist their sides will continue to negotiate in good faith.