More on Teacher Contracts

It has come to my attention that the following letter has been sent to parents of Senior Students:

Dear MG Senior Parents:

You may be aware that the Monona Grove Education Association (MGEA) is “working the contract” as a result of an unsettled contract.

At the September 8, 2010, Monona Grove Board of Education meeting, the MGEA presented a petition to the School Board stating that they will not be writing letters of recommendation requested by students for college applications.

It is the district’s position that writing letters of recommendation for students’ college applications is a required professional responsibility. I recently notified the teaching staff of my expectations of providing such letters at a student’s request.

If your child is denied a letter of recommendation, either verbally or in writing, beginning October 1, 2010, please contact me or high school principal, Dr. Paul Brost. Please keep these communications regarding this issue between you as parents and district administration. I find it very disheartening that students are placed in the middle of this difficult situation and would like to minimize their involvement.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Craig Gerlach, Superintendent

In response to a letter from MGEA

I am writing to let the people of our school district know that, despite MGEA's decision to work the contract, the Cottage Grove PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) will continue to work towards raising money for our schools and supporting our children. Now, more than ever, parents and our community at large need to band together to give our children the best educational experience possible. While I did receive a letter from MGEA indicating that they are encouraging their membership not to participate in the PTO Fall Festival on October 2, we will remain focused on our mission and use this event to raise as much money as we can to put SMART Boards in our schools, as well as providing the many other services that we offer both teachers and students.

Our goals will not change. Our focus will remain on providing valuable and much needed resources to our children.