MADISON - School districts around Wisconsin canceled classes on Thursday after thousands of teachers, students and other demonstrators flocked to the Capitol to protest a sweeping anti-union bill that would strip government workers of nearly all of their collective bargaining rights.
Labor supporters and activists have been protesting since Tuesday against Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposal. On Thursday, an estimated 25,000 protesters flooded the Capitol. Madison schools were closed for a second day, and dozens of other districts followed suit with closures reported in cities including Beaver Dam, La Crosse, Mosinee, Racine, Stoughton and Watertown.
Juda school was also closed Thursday.
Superintendent Phil Updike declined Thursday to disclose how many staff were gone from school on Thursday, saying he needed to speak to school board members. But he did say school would be held Friday. And some New Glarus students left school Thursdy in protest of the bill. Superintendent William Conzemius said there were 23 unexcused student absences Thursday, but he couldn't say if all of those students were unexcused to protest. Principal Brian Campbell said students were excused if their parents called in; with parental permission, it would be considered an unexcused absence.
The school also held an impromptu assembly during break time to talk to students about ways to show their support for teachers without leaving school.
Kara Panayiotou, 38, a special-education assistant at Franklin Elementary School in the Madison area, said Thursday was the second day she had missed for the protest and she was prepared to miss a third, even if she lost out on pay.
"It's a hit but I feel it's worth it," she said. "I need to be here. I need to have my voice heard. I need to stand up for what I believe in."
The Legislature's budget committee passed Walker's bill on a partisan vote just before midnight Wednesday. But several hours later, a group of Democratic lawmakers blocked passage of the bill by refusing to show up for a vote and then abruptly leaving the state in an effort to force Republicans to the negotiating table. Walker said he had faith the Senate Democrats would return in a day or two and said he would not concede on his plan to end most collective bargaining rights.
The governor, who was elected in November, has said the bill is necessary to close a budget shortfall of $137 million and a looming $3.6 billion deficit in the next two-year budget.
Superintendents in the dozens of Wisconsin school districts that were closed expressed sympathy for teachers' plights but emphasized that their top priority should be the students.
"I understand the difficult choice that the staff is faced with in wanting to show support at the state level for opposition to the bill," said Dennis Pauli, head of the Edgerton School District. "Is this the best way to do it? I don't know."
Most districts, including Madison, have said flatly that teachers who miss school and can't produce a doctor's note won't be paid for the missed time. And while some districts said the day will need to be made up later, others were waiting to hear whether the Department of Public Instruction would recommend treating the closure as they would a snow day.
One of the rare protesters who came to support Walker's bill was Dave Willoughby, 38, a swimming coach at a private club. The West Allis man held a sign saying "These teachers have abandoned post."
Labor supporters and activists have been protesting since Tuesday against Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposal. On Thursday, an estimated 25,000 protesters flooded the Capitol. Madison schools were closed for a second day, and dozens of other districts followed suit with closures reported in cities including Beaver Dam, La Crosse, Mosinee, Racine, Stoughton and Watertown.
Juda school was also closed Thursday.
Superintendent Phil Updike declined Thursday to disclose how many staff were gone from school on Thursday, saying he needed to speak to school board members. But he did say school would be held Friday. And some New Glarus students left school Thursdy in protest of the bill. Superintendent William Conzemius said there were 23 unexcused student absences Thursday, but he couldn't say if all of those students were unexcused to protest. Principal Brian Campbell said students were excused if their parents called in; with parental permission, it would be considered an unexcused absence.
The school also held an impromptu assembly during break time to talk to students about ways to show their support for teachers without leaving school.
Kara Panayiotou, 38, a special-education assistant at Franklin Elementary School in the Madison area, said Thursday was the second day she had missed for the protest and she was prepared to miss a third, even if she lost out on pay.
"It's a hit but I feel it's worth it," she said. "I need to be here. I need to have my voice heard. I need to stand up for what I believe in."
The Legislature's budget committee passed Walker's bill on a partisan vote just before midnight Wednesday. But several hours later, a group of Democratic lawmakers blocked passage of the bill by refusing to show up for a vote and then abruptly leaving the state in an effort to force Republicans to the negotiating table. Walker said he had faith the Senate Democrats would return in a day or two and said he would not concede on his plan to end most collective bargaining rights.
The governor, who was elected in November, has said the bill is necessary to close a budget shortfall of $137 million and a looming $3.6 billion deficit in the next two-year budget.
Superintendents in the dozens of Wisconsin school districts that were closed expressed sympathy for teachers' plights but emphasized that their top priority should be the students.
"I understand the difficult choice that the staff is faced with in wanting to show support at the state level for opposition to the bill," said Dennis Pauli, head of the Edgerton School District. "Is this the best way to do it? I don't know."
Most districts, including Madison, have said flatly that teachers who miss school and can't produce a doctor's note won't be paid for the missed time. And while some districts said the day will need to be made up later, others were waiting to hear whether the Department of Public Instruction would recommend treating the closure as they would a snow day.
One of the rare protesters who came to support Walker's bill was Dave Willoughby, 38, a swimming coach at a private club. The West Allis man held a sign saying "These teachers have abandoned post."