La Crosse teachers' union pres. Schams on Trane building donation, vouchers, Act 10 lawsuit and governor's race

School is about to start again and the La Crosse teachers' union president stopped in studio to talk about touring the old Trane building donated to the district. La Crosse Education Association president Jill Schams also discussed where the union stands politically in the Wisconsin governor's race, private school voucher funding, and the Act 10 lawsuit. Here's what we covered: Inside the Trane Building: What Schams saw during her walk-through, why the space is brighter and more usable than it looks from the outside, and how the district could roll it out in phases for teacher training, higher-ed partnerships, and sports facilities. Starting School on Aug. 20: How applying for a DPI waiver saves the district roughly $200,000 by aligning busing schedules with local private schools—and why teachers and parents prefer structured mid-year breaks. The Act 10 Lawsuit Heading to the State Supreme Court: What a potential reversal would mean for local teachers looking to regain full collective bargaining rights over class sizes, workday hours, and working conditions. Voucher School Funding & Political Endorsements: Why the state union is backing candidate Kelda Roys in the primary, plus the push to itemize private voucher school costs directly on local property tax bills, and how over $2 million leaves La Crosse public schools annually. Elementary Consolidation & Teacher Layoffs: How the merger of State Road into Pamel Creek and upcoming building closures will impact staffing, and why natural retirements should prevent major teacher layoffs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.