Major changes are being proposed to Michigan's education system
KINGSFORD -- On the surface, this is like any other day for Kingsford High School math teacher Hans Wienke. But while the conversation in class is focused on fractions, Wienke, like many teachers throughout the state, is worried about his future.
"The concern goes very deep because this is my livelihood, this is my job," said Wienke.
As a 19 year teaching veteran and region 17 union president, which oversees Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, and Menominee counties, Wienke has been following the state's education debate very closely. Major changes are being proposed, like tougher education requirements for new teachers, putting in place a performance-based system that de-emphasizes experience, and having teachers contribute more to their benefits.
"Now that they're talking about making the teachers pay 20 percent of their insurance benefits,” Wienke said, “I agree that in the private sector, they're doing that. Well if I was in the private sector, I'd be making twice as much money though, too."
And Wienke isn't alone.
When I posed the question on my Facebook page, Scott Reddinger asked: “How can people think we are over protected? I'm a second year teacher, I live as modestly as possible, and I barely get by month to month."
But with a $1.6 billion deficit, many are saying that teachers should not be spared from cuts, especially with tax payer dollars going towards their salaries and benefits.
Steve Zurcher is a small business owner in Iron Mountain and the Secretary of the Dickinson County Republican Committee.
With education as one of the states largest expenditures, he said it's fair to ask teachers to make sacrifices.
"The tax payers have no choice. You have to pay for the service in a lot of cases whether you use it or not,” said Zurcher. “People have a right as taxpayers to make some demands on those people that provide those services."
In a statement to Upper Michigan’s Source Thursday, a representative for Governor Snyder said, “Michigan is home to some great teachers who've made tremendous difference in the lives of students. It's absolutely not about targeting them, but building the strongest educational system that focuses on our students.”
With Republicans controlling the state House and Senate, many of Governor Snyder's proposals will likely be passed, which worries Wienke.
"It seems like everything that's going on down in Lansing is a personal attack on the educator," Wienke said.
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