I'd like to know how much tax payers pay for the lawyer that sits in on negotiations or meetings with the JEA and gets nothing accomplished? If the school board is not going to discuss anything until the JEA agrees on the salary issue, then why bother meeting? Wasting tax payers money if you ask me. The teachers should not take a pay freeze, especially if they can't even get the school board to listen to the other 50 plus issues they want to discuss first.

Maybe we can continue to pay more and more for the lawyer and then have it go mediation or wherever it goes from there. Doesn't the JSD have to open up all their books and records when a contract can't be agreed on and mediation comes in? That would be interesting to see!

caddyshack wrote..."I am having a hard time believing that we taxpayers should be so grateful to you and the school board for saving us the cost of one cocktail, or a half-pack of smokes, or a happy meal."

Well, caddy, this taxpayer is grateful. So, if you think it is so miniscule, suck it up and we'll be grateful to you too.

golf44 – Not everyone is waiting with baited breath. If it is that important to you than I suggest you do the research and figure it out yourself. Any teacher will tell you that is the best way to learn.

Way to step up Justin.

Come on Rock....we are ALL waiting for your answer to Caddy's very pertinent and justifiable question.

No, I am not aka justintimberlakerules.

Rocksolid: The school board previously agreed to a 1.91% increase, then settled for 1.47% on a 5-4 vote. Can you please tell me what that $150,006 savings averages out to be per household? Thanks.

Or I'm right. Three bucks is three bucks.

I'm crushed.

Continued:
3. The reserve fund is the total amount that is available to use for a variety of purposes. Part of it is set aside in the event of high insurance claims. The reason we have a reserve fund is that the JSD gets lump sum checks from the state each year. By having a healthy reserve fund, we are able to use the fund to cover the months when cash flow is negative and therefore avoid having to borrow money and pay interest during the school year. The total balance of the fund has ranged from a few million to about 30 million depending upon the time and circumstance.

4. I stand by every word and syllable that I wrote in an editorial a few years ago, including the first part where I praised their effectiveness. It is dishonest to only talk about salary when discussing pay for public employees and especially teachers due to their unique circumstances. Teachers have special challenges and requirements that most do not have in the private sector, but they also have benefits that most "in my world" do not have. It is not wrong to talk about these things. My plea in that editorial was to be able to do so without the "name calling". I believe that I have done so. You on the other hand have called me a villain.

While you may not agree with me, I have always tried to answer questions openly and honestly and I hope that I have answered your questions today in the same manner. What other elected official is willing to publicly sign their name to a blog and engage in these discussions?

FYI to caddyshack - If you recall from a posting you made sometime ago, I told you that as a result of distaseful comments you made I would no longer respond to you. That is why I have not answered yor question.

That is all for today. Go Pack! Beat Vikings!
Sincerely,
Bill Sodemann

Woodymam & Others:

1. In regards to the essays that the teacher had her students write. I took issue that the kids were being used during school hours in this manner. I noted how they were NOT asked to write about high taxes, for example, and provide a balanced approach. I was not in any way trying to equate high taxes with the addition of one aide to help out in a large classroom. I cannot get cable so I am waiting for a copy of the meeting to get a transcript of the actual statement and also that of the teachers. If my words did not convey that point, I will apologize and make any corrections.

2. I did not vote to cut 900,000 from the previous teacher salary pay. The 900,000 is the amount that was in the new budget for "step" and "per cell" salary increases in teacher pay. You will note the JSD and JEA have not settled yet. The offer on the table from the JSD includes a freeze in those categories. If that offer is accepted (and if you read comments from people like badger4life who imply that teachers might accept a freeze), then that money would have been available to further reduce the tax burden and provide an actual reduction in the tax levy. I was also the one who initially proposed the pay freeze for administrators and I still have respect and appreciation for them - just as I do for teachers. Likewise, I have had to reduce pay and benefits for my own employees and everyone of them will tell you that I care deeply about them. We are in unprecedented times (at least in my lifetime).

You might care to note that the operating budget is about 1 million more than last year even though our enrollment has been reduced. Much of the increase (that made up for the administrative cuts) is due to stimulous money that had to spent in certain ways and areas.

Part 2 to be continued.

Rocksolid: One more time: Again: The school board previously agreed to a 1.91% increase, then settled for 1.47% on a 5-4 vote. Can you please tell me what that $150,006 savings averages out to be per household? Thanks. This sounds to me like approximately $3 per person living in Janesville. I am having a hard time believing that we taxpayers should be so grateful to you and the school board for saving us the cost of one cocktail, or a half-pack of smokes, or a happy meal. I must be misreading this. Please explain. Thank you.

"im also going out on a limb by saying that was the reason people stopped buying the beautiful vehicles made here in janesville?"

1. Not anyone's fault that GM chose not to invest in more fuel efficient and better cars. Honda, Nissan, and Toyota, while they have suffered through the recession, are not doing as bad as the domestic auto makers, Plus, they are not being strong armed by unions like GM and the rest.

To Commissioner Sodemann-
I am a teacher in the district. I have read the transcripts of the board meetings (unfortunately I haven't been able to attend the meetings) and I appreciate your calm and common sense approach to the issues. I would be remise if not say that I often find myself in disagreement; however, not often enough to not vote for you. As we continue forward in this difficult process, I am glad to see one who is able to rise above the fray and personal attacks. Your professionalism should be an example to all in the process.

Well stated, Woody. Not sure if you'll ever get the answers, at least honest ones.

As stated before by someone else on these blogs "If Mr. S. would run for state legislator and work as hard to get the education formula changed to help kids and districts, as hard as he works to cut/keep taxes down, we wouldn't be having all these discussions." Unfortunately what Mr. S. is doing in Janesville is not helping students, teachers, or education at all.

Another thing I notice dlooking at your previous post is that you left the door open to adding more teachers(aides) in the budget. If this is true than how in the world could you ask for a written statement on how higher taxes are affecting families? Those are your words. In my view whena teacher is speaking in front of the board basically begging for help from the board because she cannot possibly give them all the attention they need. please tell me what other evidence do you need that she or some other elementary teachers with class sizes approaching the limit of 30 need help that only you or the school board can give her and the others.
Do you honestly believe that they are there asking for your help because they are lazy? because they are somehow trying to take advantage of the taxpayer? I think it is laughable that you come on here trying to number all your responses trying to discredit me. Which is fine I am a nobody. You however are not a nobody, you are charged with helping our educators with imroving education quuality in the district. I am convinced by all of the writings of yours I have seen here and the paper that you have a very high level of discontent for pulic education. Im still trying to figure out why in the world you would ask a teacher for some form of writing on how high taxes are hurting families, when shes begging you for help. Pretty pathetic if you ask me.

Again I will also ask you to address the reserve fund that you clearly stated in one of your previous posts was around 3 million, when other information states the balance was around 27 million on june 30th. I was wondering about that discrepency , as well as your call for 900,00 dollar suggestion to cut from the last budget for teacher compensation? Im guessing you have forgotten about that. You can say its misinformation all you want im just looking back on articles by this author, numbers put forward by this publication. The 8% raise i speak of was for one administrator, and now benefits dont count as part of a raise?
I really also would like you to address your condescending attitude towards local educators in the district which you represent.i.e... The real world op-ed you chose to write. Maybe you should try to explain to some of the teachers why you gold them in such disreguard, acting as if the few, and i mean few tax-dollars that may be saved by the cuts you have asked for and suggested, really would help all these families that are so tax-ridden. I am curious if you are even aware of the level of discontent toward you, from the teachers.Or if you even care. My guess is the latter.
Please sir address my misinformation reguarding the reserve fund, and your suggested cuts of 900,000 in compensation for teachers in this recent budget battle. Maybe i have read it wrong but it souns like outside of a new contract for teachers, that much less in the budget only means less educators, no?
Bill I would you to comment a little on your "the real world " article a lot of educators have not to this day forgiven you for that. I would just like someone that lives in "the real world" to comment on how educators are supposed to feel about you.
If you want to find common ground, maybe you should understand that your version(s) of truth are not necessarily reality for all. Maybe if you would like an ally or two from the JEA you could try not being so condescending to them at EVERY TURN, becauser if you dont know any better that is how you are viewed by most of them. Thank you!

Rocksolid: Again: The school board previously agreed to a 1.91% increase, then settled for 1.47% on a 5-4 vote. Can you please tell me what that $150,006 savings averages out to be per household? Thanks.

Woodyman:
You continue to state things that are not true.
My use of the word slanderous was a result of you calling the board "corrupt". I even numbered the responses to make it clear! (See number 1 of earlier post.) Again I ask, making the charge of corruption against board members is pretty serious. Do you have any evidence?

The board did not cut any aides or teaching positions outside of reductions made as a result of enrollment changes. We even added some positions back in such as the Library Support people. The cuts that were made were at the administrative level.

By passing the tax levy, we did not close the door to adding personnel to deal with some unexpected larger class sizes. We can still use our fund balance to add a teacher(s) or aid(s) if needed.

Administrators did not get an 8% raise. Most of them have had their pay frozen. Dr. Schulte's total compensation (her pay is higher but other benefits are lower) is almost identical to the former superindentent and if you recall, she is still performing many of her previous duties when she was the Director of Student Services.

You continue to misrepresent my comments about class sizes and taxes.

You have the right to rant and rave all you want. Do not I have the right to point out all of the false information that you are stating? There are many issues that our society needs to address. We can deal with them better when we base our comments and opinions on truth. Only then can we start to come to an agreement.

Sincerely,
Bill Sodemann

Mr. Sodemann,
I did just go back and look at some of Mr Scultzs articles, and found them to be very informative so to him I would like to apologize. To you whom likes to say other people lie, in one of his recent articles he stated that the reserve fund created by the districts health insurace, was at 27.43 million on june 30. Thats just a little bit more than the three million you stated in your response to me. So whom is spreadin untruths? His article also went on to state that you were the lone board member trying to cut teachers pay 900,000 or so. Now being that i dont know exactly what that means im sure your dying to tell everyone in "the real world" that your not trying to cut teacher pay. Please sir elaborate i am all ears.

please point out for me the arcticles/links to articles where Mr Schultz has been pro-JEA. I would be very interested in reading them. To this day I have seen NONE!Looking forward to your response.

One more thing, Mr. sodemann with all due respect. I was not at the recent board meeting where you made your statement about how high taxes are negatively affecting families. I think that high taxes are negatively affecting us all, however to somehow attach that to class sizes being out of control, is well laughable.
I am curious sir , do you blame all high taxes on public education? I think that our high taxes , local, state and federal go to pay for an over inflated military, overpaid govt officials,poorly spent tax dollars in every inch of our government. So are you just doing your part to deflate our high tax government machine by making sure that we jam as many kids into each classrom as possible? I am trying to put it into context as much as possible. I also am trying to figure out the districts ability to cut aides , cut educators, and give administrators an increase? sorry , something doesnt seem right there , please explain.
I also am getting sick of you acting like your some kind of savior to local taxpayers. We all pay taxes Bill , education is one area of govt spending I personally am willing to give a little more to make sure Janesville kids have the same educational opportunities that other kids have from around the state , and counrty have.Lets cut out corruption, like um I dont know IT managers taking the district for hundreds of thousands of dollars. I am curious whos gonna take thae fall for that one. I do know as a taxpayer i would have loved to see some of that money go to smaller class sizes, more teachers aides. Lets protect the taxpayers at every turn , not just when it comes to bashing teachers , ok?

so bill,
Just because we have a person married to a teachers aide, a so-called journalist married to a teacher that makes my comments slanderous. You are correct i dont have the figures infront of me as you do but every teacher that i know was under the impression that that fund was a lot closer to my number than yours but ok. Why would anyone think that you or anyone in this community would be anti-teacher. When we have school board members writing op-eds in the paper titled "In the real world". Still one of the most condescending, insulting pieces i have ever read.
Lets be honest there are a graet majority of educators in this community who feel YOU are the biggest voice against educators in this city, and that sir is a FACT. A graet many of them are afraid for whatever reason to stand up to you and your board and all of your so-called pro-taxpayer rhetoric. Cut a nickel here, a dime there and you can win yourself another term on the board because there are enough people in this community who have nothing invested in public education and would just assume that NONE of their tax-dollars be used for schools,and you sir are their voice.
I was born and raised in a city where the majority of the school board worked with their educators not against them in the inrests of saving a buck. You may not like my rhetoric sir but frankly sir I dont like yours. I have the freedom to RANT on this blog as much as I see fit, because in the "real world" we all have the freedom of speech.
I would also like you to speak of the superintendants 8% raise in pay in a time of great economic turmoil. I dont think it should matter that she has taken on any further responsibilities. She is well compensated for what she does and i dont think it is reasonable for you(the board) to ask educators to freeze their compensation when administrators get an 8% raise.
I will say again in closing that this paricular school board has created a rift between teachers that i hope someday will be repaired. I dont however see it happening with the board as it is currently made up. I will also say this Mr. Sodemann you are widely seen by most if not but close to all educators in this community as no more than an anti-teacher VILLAN. Sorry if you dont believe it but I am just living here "In the real world"

We need Tom Wolfe back!

Rocksolid: The school board previously agreed to a 1.91% increase, then settled for 1.47% on a 5-4 vote. Can you please tell me what that $150,006 savings averages out to be per household? Thanks.

Woodyman: I don't know where to start with all of the untruths that you stated. Some of them have already been pointed out by SRK.

1. You called the school board "corrupt". We (members of the school board) do not always agree with each other but I consider everyone of them to have high ethical standards. Do you care to give any examples to defend your slanderous claim?

2. FYI - Frank Schultz is married to a teacher. He often gets criticized from others that he has been too much on the JEA side of things. In short, he can't win no matter what he does.

3. You said that I stated that, "she (the teacher) should have brought in some students and parents that somehow benefit from larger class size." That is a lie. I never said that. I did say something to the effect of writing about how high taxes have hurt families and communities. Please retract.

4. Can you explain your comment that people think that teachers are making $10.00 per hour. I don't know where you are going with that statement but even a first year teacher earns a lot more than $10.00 per hour(and I am not saying that they shouldn't).

5. There is not a 30 million dollar surplus in the health insurance fund. The reserve that is kept for insurance purposes is closer to 3 million.

6. Yes, we have used many methods of education for our kids including: home, private and public schools. You feel that therefore I should be disqualified from serving on the school board. According to your logic, should teachers, who may also use methods other than public schools, not be allowed to teach in our district? I hope your answer would be "no".

7. The school board is made up of the following: a retired firefighter, a person whose spouse is a police officer, a person who works for the state court system, a person who works as the county clerk, a retired person who served in state government and in the health care industry, a person who works for Alliant energy and is married to a teachers aid, a person who works in health care management, a person who works with her husband in the employee staffing field, and me, a small business owner. With these facts in mind, can you explain your comments about the board being made up of and only being concerned about businesses?

Sincerely,
Bill Sodemann

i also would love to find out something about mr schultz that writes all these opinion pieces in the gazette, that i dont already know. what a joke of a journalist. i use that term very , very loosely. try to do some reprting on the other side sometimes, i havent seen one artice, not one portraying the teachers side of any arguement, interviewing any teachers . why would we ever expect that from a joke of a paper like this. i fully expect my entry to be pulled down by tomorrow am. just a thought or TWO.......

pardon me mr vato loco. did not youyr mr bush , hand 800 billion over to the banks right before he left office? just a little curious. also, is it just coincidece that oil was 150$ a barrell when mr bush was president, considering he comes from one of the richest oil families in the usa? im also going out on a limb by saying that was the reason people stopped buying the beautiful vehicles made here in janesville? also i would ask the opinion of those who are unemployed what they think about a little govt help on healthcare. im sure that a lot of them with kids not able to go to the doc without getting their lights shut off or going bankrupt on health care bills. might not think that single payer or govt option health care is such a bad idea. i can tell you how some business leaders in janesville serving on the school board feel, and i also know those same politics go into how they treat our teachers.just a little cuious. just a thought or TWO.......

While I will start my next "rant" by apologizing for saying incorrectly that Mr. Sodemanns kids are home schooled , and i am gald to hear that we dont pay these so-called school board members. I did notmean to speak to things i wasnt clear on the facts about so ,for that i am sorry.
However, i will not concede that many educators feel schulte is an effective superintendant. I know a great deal of educators in janesville , and they are all disconcerted with her taking an 8% pay raise in her first year while trying to freeze educators pay. I think if she wanted support of the teachers she may want to lead the districts so called fiscal resposibility, possibly by freezing her own absorbent 6 figure salary.
In response to mr right wing Obama hater up there i beg you ask the questios of 30 million dollar health care surpluses, and staffing overtime (time and a half) 9 custodians to show off the new renovations at the high schools. The money never seems to be short when the administration needs it. 4.6 million budget shortfall seems kinda small when youre talking about 118 million dollar overall budget and the district wastes money as it does.
To my point of the school board being corrupt. I will stand by that to my dying breath. I will rant and rave until this community takes good care of its educators. I am so sick and tired of people in this city using teachers and their compensation as some kind of political football. Blame Obama , blame bush, whatever just stop arguing about taxes and anything else that allows you to separate yourselves by party and use that as a reason to downplay the educators and the importance of their fair compensation. remember blogs are here to rant and rave.
In a city like janesville where the 2 major media outlets are so blatantly anti teacher i am just glad to see that ther are so many pro teacher bloggers bringing intelligent arguments and FACTS to their posts. not seeing too many from the anti educator side.
Please , Janesville, dont abandon your kids just because you arent smart enough to understand number one, how we pay for our schools( state and federal dollars, not just local), and what is NOT a waste of your tax dollars. Quality educators are priceless , so we need to ask the tough questions , where are the dollars being wasted? The answer is not always teacher compensation. There always are other sources of unbelievable waste that are a much bigger problem than this.
I think that the school board would be a great place to go if you thought they might listen but anyone who teaches or cares about teachers in this community knows that any effort will fall on deaf ears. get these people who dont care out of positions of power and do right by your children. Remember its not about left and right its about right and wrong. do the right thing janesville, get the corruption out of our fair city and make it great again, for everyone. just a thought or TWO.......

"Obama is just trying his best to clean up what a stupid, rich, only cared about himself bush did."

At least Bush was not running around trying to run and own many this country. Banks, car companies, healthcare.....

"should concentrate on electing some pro-education board members. Some people who actualy care about the kids and their chance at a decent education, not some pro-business zealots that have little more on their agendas than saving a taxpayer buck or two."

This is one of the many problems facing school districts today. School districts need to start running like business enterprises because there is to much fiscal irresponsibiltiies. You hear it in the news way too much. "budget shortfalls ". "4.6 million dollar gap this year"

Start firing the people who are spending over budget. People who run these districts need to know that there needs to be restraints. If we keep spending and spending without getting nothing in return you have just wasted millions in taxpayer money. And, taxpayers should have a voice in how these funds are managed.

woodyman-
Some of your points are valid, but you aren't doing any justice to your cause by spreading misinformation and ranting like that.
-
The teacher's union has some public relations issues of its own that it needs to iron out. I agree that the people who call it corrupt are wrong, but they have issues.
-
Bill Sodemann's children do attend Parker High School; however, that shouldn't be a litmus test for public service.
-
There are quite a few teachers that do find Dr. Schulte an effective superintendent.
-
What salary would you like the board to return? They are volunteers.

We do have the most anti-teacher board and community I have ever been a witness to. I am sure however that there are more people in this community concerned that phones plus, and cullen bros. construction sve a few tax-bucks, so we can have 30 5th graders and one teacher. Its those kids fault that they live in a city where local business leaders have more to say about education conditions than educators.Beautiful.
I can also tell you that there is no love lost between the educators and this so-called superintendant that I believe works with these board members in an effort to drive down quality of education to increase their own bottom line. Let us not pretend that Ms Schulte doesnt make a six-figure salary on the backs of the TAX-PAYERS.Also these school board members have full time jobs of their own that want to act like saints when it comes to the almighty taxpayer, then i think they should live up to their saintly reputation and give their salary BACK! Do any of yoou think that theyve saved you that much? I most certaintly dont. I think that they bring down the quality of education in our community, they demean our educators at every turn. Have added nothing and i mean nothing to the community. Sounds like a wonderful community.
To all you people that think the teachers union is corrupt , i would also say that you would also be the people that would assume they made 10 bucks an hour for educating children. I am not a union guy, however there are certain professions that need protection from corruption. I would group firefighters, police, and medical workers to name a few that are in need of protection.There will always be a few bad apples in every bunch, but doi any of you believe that teachers are in it for the money or to have sum mers off? lets remember teachers constantly invest their own money in their classroom and furthering their education, to benefit whom, themselves?Im guessing its for the kids, just a guess.Im not an educator but i know a bunch of them and i can tell you this i would not want to be one in his community. I hope someday we have some school board members that we can respect and believe are out for the best interest of ALL the kids in the community. I also believe that if you home school your kids or send them to private schools then you should not be on the school board for PUBLIC education. Making decisions affecting PUBLIC schools and their funding. Just another thought or TWO.....

One of the things that I enjoy about the level of uneducated people chime in on education issues and funding as it relates to tax-payers and tax-dollars.What id like for everyone to understand is that we get certain portions of or budget fromthe state and also do recieve federal funding for education, so remember it is going to come from all of our pocket one way or another.
Itis also interesting to listen to people from a union town that always used to say non-GMers were just jealous, now that the plant is gone lets jump on the teachers backs? There are several demographics in this god forsaken city that would just assuyme we had no schools or horrible private schools that pay even their good teachers a sub-standard wage. Remember we no longer live in a country where you can just float through school and come out of high school and get in at the plant(GM) work 30 yrs, raise a family, and retire. The need for higher education is now more important than ever. Yes , there is a rising rate of employment in this area. So all the kids of those unemployed families, whom could NEVER afford a private school. Should be cheated out of a quality education because some empty-nesters and well-to-dos in this town, keep voting in local businessmen like Cullen and Sodemann whom couldnt give a darn about public education. From what i understand Mr. Sodemann's children are home schooled, so im wondering where his interests lie. Im guessing penny pinching every tax dollar possible for the sake of his business, not the greater good of this community is where he's at. I know personally a local teacher whose 5th grade class is dangerously close to 30 and was literally begging the school board for help. She brought in a few of her students and parents to speak in her defense. Mr Sodemanns response was that she should have brought in some students and parents that somehow benefit from larger class size. That is one of the MOST ridculous thing id ever heard.
Maybe as a community we should concentrate on electing some pro-education board members. Some people who actualy care about the kids and their chance at a decent education, not some pro-business zealots that have little more on their agendas than saving a taxpayer buck or two.
Maybe its time we ask some hard questios about the budget. How about , Where is the 30 million dollar surplus in the health care fund. I am curious how whenever there is a 150,000 dollar shortage , or surplus, that that money is never brought up. Maybe we should talk about how much we pay these ,school board members and administrators that make more money than most if not all of the teachers. How well spent is every dollar in the school dist. Not program money over inflated admin. salaries....just a thought or two.

JohnDoe, what do you mean by dump WEAC? It would be great if the teachers had WEAC as their insurance like Edgerton and Milton. But then the district wouldn't get to make money off the teachers like they currently do each year when claims are low. Just look at the ever-rising fund balance.

I hope you enjoy the couple dollars you saved with the cuts our board has made. Make sure you put that into a wallstreet investment, because you will need the money to help pay for increasing jails and prisons. The JSD drop out and expulsion rate isn't exactly decreasing and research shows that 60% of high school dropouts end up in jail or prison.

woody,

You missed my whole point. What a surprise. You're to busy bashing what the teachers said and the teachers union. You and ShotgunWillie must share a brain.

Lewis also argued that Janesville risks getting a bad reputation for its schools, which could drive away businesses looking to locate here.
Mr. Lewis has talked out his butt. Corporations that are willing to relocated to Janesville only consider the resources, transportation, and cost to produce product.
Most of all they consider the Tax levy, and willingness to increase. They also look at fiscal responsiblity.

Home school ALL kids,get rid of the schools! Then us tax payers could take care of our own,not all this welfare blood suckers!!

Teacher Stephanie Kortyna's comments are indicative of what is wrong with the relationship between the teachers and the taxpayers.

Cullen is right...we...at least I...elect school board commissioners to represent me in striking a balance between what we would like for our students and teachers ...and what we can actually afford.

Too many teachers lose sight of reality after they deposit their taxpayer provided paycheck.

Woody is also correct...if the teachers are as concerned about the children as they try to guilt the taxpayers into believing they are....then they should dump WEAC. (Notice, I didn't say dump the union)

In this climate, the teachers that have a problem balancing the wants and the needs of the children and taxpayers...should move on to the professions they are so quick to bring up in their' expressions of unhappiness with JSD and the taxpayers.

And, I should point out that I have the utmost respect for the teachers who understand the overall picture here.

beenthere...you are confused on where the money originates from. Maybe take a economics class.

I'm tired of people using the poor taxpayers as an excuse to extort money away from the students.

Hey pixie...where do you think the state aid you talk about comes from? Clue: it doesn't grow on trees. Answer: FROM THE TAX PAYER!!! Apparently you don't care about the tax payer either!

More teachers more NEA voters

And all the extra the teachers pay in to their health insurance and don't use should be paid back to the them. Look at the $30 million dollar fund balance. How did it get so big?

What a joke. Mr. Cullen, you tell people to come to a board meeting and listen to see how much you are teacher and student friendly. I've seen plenty and I am not at all impressed. Why don't you visit a few classes that have close to 30 students or better yet, sign up to be a substitute in those classes and then go back to the board. Every decision and every cut affects teachers and children. You try and say that you cut $2 million without affecting teachers and children, get a clue!

Wow, some of you people better figure out how school financing works. Unfortunately, the lower the levy the less aid we will get from state next year. Stephanie Kortnya is speaking the truth!
By the way, the teachers are not the enemy. They are really are looking out for the best interests of the child. It is disgusting how much teacher bashing that goes on in this city.

beenthere:

I’m tired of them using the children to extort more money from the taxpayer. You may be doing well and can afford an increase but a good majority of this city can’t. Our tax base is shrinking. Families have been forced to “tighten their belt” and make major cuts but none of the tax payer funded entities on the local or national level have done the same.

BTW, Good point Woody!

If the Teacher Stephanie Kortyna wants to do only what's right for the children, get rid of the union. That way the board can dump the teachers that shouldn't be teaching anymore. Remember, the only thing that matters is the children. Right?

jd1965,

"Please refrain from inflammatory statements that pit taxpayer vs. child. We really aren't in the mood to hear such things." To bad if you aren't in the mood, she is correct.

Why dont they save the money instead. they act like its burning a hole in their pocket.

to NVgrf - how can this be obamas fault. last time i check the economy took a crap when bush was in office. Obama is just trying his best to clean up what a stupid, rich, only cared about himself bush did.

It's all Obama's fault!

"They were not elected to represent taxpayers or to do what is right for the taxpayers, a point I think many of our school board members have forgotten." -- schoolteacher Stephanie Kortnya

Dear Ms. Kortnya: you teach in a district that has some of the highest unemployment in the nation. We are blessed to have a great school system, and I credit the teachers for that as well as the taxpayers who have stepped up and supported massive improvements that makes our district solid for years to come. Please refrain from inflammatory statements that pit taxpayer vs. child. We really aren't in the mood to hear such things.
Thank you.