Wednesday, 11.16
The board of the proposed Madison Prep charter school decides to change its proposal to use non-union teachers, after an analysis found using union employees would cost an extra $10.4 million. As a result, the Madison school board puts off voting on the proposal until at least December. See Nathan Comp's report.
Thursday, 11.17
Early in the morning, the Madison Common Council passes the 2012 budget despite a veto threat from Mayor Paul Soglin. The council reopened the budget to approve a study of arts venues that Soglin said was important to him.
Ronald J. Blair, assistant facilities director for the state Department of Administration, pleads guilty to disorderly conduct for popping a balloon during an event at the Capitol in July. Blair has returned to work with the state since the incident but no longer works at the Capitol.
A Republican-controlled legislative committee approves a pay plan that includes no raises for 41,000 state workers and 25,000 UW employees over the next two years. The plan also changes how overtime is decided but keeps sick and vacation policies virtually the same.
Friday, 11.18
Former East High girls basketball coach Jason L. Hairston, 29, is convicted of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a child for a relationship he had with one of his players, who was 16 at the time. Hairston videotaped himself and another man having sex with the girl. Hairston will be sentenced in about two months.
Saturday, 11.19
Some 25,000 people protest outside the Capitol in the largest demonstration against Gov. Scott Walker since March. The rally comes as the recall campaign against Walker ratchets up.
Alexis Brown, a UW-Madison senior studying English literature, is one of 32 students named a Rhodes scholar for 2012. She's the first UW student to earn the distinction since 2000.
Monday, 11.21
Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas orders the Madison school district to release more than 1,000 sick notes submitted by teachers during the February protests to the Wisconsin State Journal. Editor John Smalley says the paper doesn't plan to publicize teachers' names but will report on the nature of the notes. "Now we'll be able to review and better understand how the school district handled the delicate matter of dealing with all these sick notes."
Republicans ask the state Supreme Court to require any recall elections next year to occur in new districts they created. The Government Accountability Board had previously decided that any recalls before the November 2012 election be held in the current districts.
Compiled (in part) from local media.
