Two state-based education groups are a step closer to merging.
Representatives for the Wisconsin Education Association Council voted Saturday to enter into formal talks with the Wisconsin branch of the American Federation of Teachers to explore a possible merger.
Sturgeon Bay's Diane Slivka, who's been a delegate on WEAC's Representative Assembly for about 20 years, says the merger idea has been talked about on and off for a while and now they've taken the next step.
Slivka says the biggest advantage of such a merger would be to have official collaboration between the two groups and present the most unified voice possible to address key issues like school funding and getting resources into the classroom.
Slivka says she's glad she could be in Madison for the vote. "It was an exciting time to be there, to be part of that," says Slivka.
Should the groups move ahead with the merger, Slivka the earliest it could be accomplished would be 2014.
