• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Schulte proposes small raise for teachers

JANESVILLE — Teachers’ pay would rise by very little next year under a recommendation released Friday by the Janesville public schools superintendent.

Superintendent Karen Schulte recommends an increase of 2.8 percent in teachers’ salaries and benefits combined.

Schulte said she has not yet looked into how much of the 2.8 percent would be eaten up by the increased costs of health insurance and other benefits.

Schulte acknowledged that the district would have to convince teachers at the bargaining table to take a small pay increase. Negotiations on the 2009-11 contract are scheduled to begin May 19.

Schulte’s recommendation is not the final word. The school board will decide whether a 2.8 percent increase is its goal.

Schulte asked that district employees keep in mind that her recommendations come at a time when the economy is ailing and many district residents are out of work.

“I think it’s one in seven being unemployed. I want to keep that in the forefront,” Schulte said.

The district had previously budgeted for a 3.8 percent increase in teacher pay. The difference would save $595,000, she said.

Schulte based her recommendation, as well as a series of recommended budget cuts, on the goal of raising property taxes by 1.88 percent next year.

That percentage is based on a goal of no tax increase for operational expenses but a small increase to cover an increase in debt-service payments. Those debts come from voter-approved referendums.

If a 2.8 percent increase in teacher compensation can’t be achieved, then the school board might have to consider raising taxes higher, Schulte said in a memo to the board.

Schulte also is proposing a freeze in all non-union wages to be reconsidered no later than January 2010. Schulte said lifting the freeze would depend in part on the teachers’ compensation increase.

Schulte also is recommending new spending next year. One new position would be a “director of development,” who would oversee an effort to raise private funds to support district operations.

Schulte budgeted the director of development’s salary and benefits at $87,994. She said she hopes that eventually the position would pay for itself and more.

Schulte recommends eliminating these positions to save the noted amounts:

--Athletic director, $113,000.

--One special-education teacher, $57,859.

--Director of student services, $168,000. This is Schulte’s former job. She would continue to oversee this department.

--One central-office manager, $119,000. Schulte said the person in this position had not been told of the recommendation Friday, so she would not say which manager would be cut.

---One central-office clerical position, $45,400.

--Coordinator of math, science and staff development, $119,000. The person in this position is retiring at the end of this school year.

Among new positions Schulte wants:

--Six new custodians to handle the square footage added at the two high schools.

--Two new teachers for the TAGOS Leadership Academy, $115,718.

--Four elementary librarians, $138,196.

--A half-time teacher for the Janesville Virtual Academy, $28,929.

--A computer help-desk technician, $62,000.

--A computer technician, $64,500.

IF YOU GO

The Janesville School Board will consider Superintendent Karen Schulte’s recommendations for budget cuts when it meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Educational Services Center, 527 S. Franklin St.