Following the elimination of collective bargaining rights for Wisconsin's teachers and other public employees, some school districts are cutting sick days , as Steve Singiser recently wrote. And some school districts aren't stopping there.

Right now, it appears that the New Berlin school district is taking the most punitive approach toward teachers. As Blue Cheddar details, the handbook that will replace a collectively bargained contract contains provisions like the following:

–A ‘sick bank’ which allows teachers to donate sickleave to seriously ill colleagues will be eliminated.

–No set pay for overtime; only stipends

–Elementary teachers work an added 205 hours without added pay.

–Secondary teachers work an added 95 hours without added pay.

and there are odd restrictions such as

–Dress Code: Skirts below knee, no sweatshirts, no jeans, no large logos, no open shirts, etc. and

–The loss of all microwaves, refrigerators, and coffeemakers.

Additionally, according to Dane 101, teachers:

...had a number of issues with the proposals including one that eliminates retirement insurance for teachers with less than 20 years in the New Berlin school system and who retire after 2021. Essentially, that means anyone who started working in the school system after 2001.

After a contentious meeting at which teachers were jeered by conservative talk radio fans, the New Berlin board voted unanimously to implement these provisions. By contrast, just 22 miles away in Shorewood, the school board rejected a grievance procedure because it wasn't collaborative enough. Shorewood risks being out of compliance with state law because it is taking extra time to finalize policies rather than just taking a my way or the highway approach.

That's Scott Walker's Wisconsin: District by district, teachers are at the mercy of their school boards, with only as much input as the boards give. If you're a teacher in New Berlin, no microwave for you! And if you're a student or parent in New Berlin, it's a pretty good bet you'll be watching every teacher who has another option leave the district.