Non-Renewal (or Contract Extension) of MMSD Administrative Contracts is Not About the Value of Administrators’ Roles

Administrators are a vital and integral part of any responsibly operating organization, including MMSD. If I feel that way, why would I would like to see the School Board consider making decisions that would keep options for staff reductions open until later in the budget process? Given that no multi-year strategic, budget or staffing plans are in place, I would like the School Board to discuss what their options are at this time or is the only option moving to one-year contracts for a majority of administrators. I urge the Board to maintain their decision-making flexibility at this time in the annual budget process.
Two years ago, as I was learning more about MMSD’s operations, I came across the end of January date (which is based on WI law, but I don’t know the specifics or how MMSD’s Human Resources applies the policy) to notify administrators of contract extensions for one year or non-renewal (I haven’t found all the definitions). I felt then the school board’s authority to make budgetary decisions was diminished if the passing of this date meant the board was “locked” into multi-year personnel commitments for administrative employees at the start of the budget process.


I’ve been asked by a couple Board members, what’s next after all the administrators are gone (something I do not advocate or support – it’s ridiculous. Besides, there is no risk of that happening next year, and I don’t think that’s the question the School Board needs to be asking).
However, my question to the School Board is what is their employment policy regarding these contracts? A multi-year strategic plan that involves community discussion would go a long way toward addressing that question. If the WI legislature does not get going and make changes to public financing of public education, and if local Madison referenda are not passing, budget cuts will have to be made, and not because we have too many teachers, but because the School Board has to cut the budget.
Madison has excellent teachers (my daughter has been the beneficiary of our teachers’ excellence even if they don’t always have the curriculum they need), and Madison strongly supports public education. I feel we need to have public discussions and to develop longer-term strategies, we need these discussions now and we need them to be ongoing, dynamic and broad based.
Lastly, by not looking longer term, discussing these issues throughout the year, admin positions end up being on a School Board agenda at the front of the budget process, because of the January deadline. The School Board is putting our school district’s administrators (inadvertently, I’m sure) in an unfavorable light publicly and subject to “attack,” which is unfair, unnecessary and preventable. I would think an alternative, longer-term approach would be viewed favorably by Madison.
Barb Schrank, parent, artist, blogger
Spouse of MMSD teacher
Treasurer of Mathiak for School Board