I decided to take a look at these comments this evening. Up until "righton" the discourse was fairly civil. Righton---you are crude, immature and simple-minded. I can only hope for our childrens' sake you are not a teacher.

The way I understand it, it is already in the works to re-open the contracts to have the district employees put in what walker is going to require for the insurance and retirement. That is not the issue. The issue is to take away the collective barganing that has been fought for for the last 50 years. There is a certain board member or two that have been waiting for a situation like this to arise. Then the "tools" to let local governments balance the budget (letting custodians go to get someone in the schools to do the work for 7.25 an hour and who knows what they would decide to do to the teachers) can be set in place. The thing that everyone that is for this doesn't understand is that the things that get done now (set ups, take downs etc.) a private company would not do. They are there to clean and that is it. Then the economy would be in real trouble because the money that is made by these union TAXPAYERS would end up leaving the city if not the state to go where these people are valued.
JMO

God bless all :-)

The reason these negotiations were delayed was because virtually the entire top administration of the school district turned over. Then they wanted to complete the negotiations with the teachers first.

It is not that the union was holding out.

Corporations have never paid any taxes they just pass them along to the consumers. If that doesn't work they leave. Ever get a job from a poor person? Not unless your a Gov. worker.

We will need to raise taxes anyway. Did you know that over 67% of Wisconsin corporations pay no tax at all. (WI Dept. of Revenue) Did you know that the remaining corporations that do pay taxes have had theirs reduced by 50% since 1981. How many of us have had our taxes reduced by 2% each year for the last 30 years! Who do you think makes up the difference in loss of tax base, you and your neighbors. It is time to stop playing the blame game and redirect our hatred at the corporate giants who are robbing us tax payers blind!

I think this is a horrible mistake. 28.5% comes out of my paycheck weekly for taxes already. I am so not for this. I work very hard for what I earn and my clothes show it every day and aching body.

I still cannot understand why the administration cannot lead by example and start the budget cuts at the top. Does Mr. Sperry really need three people working under him (example this is not a dig) but do most of the department heads need two plus people working under them or can they roll up their sleeves and put a little more effort into it.

If Janesville teachers can not make real concessions and step up to help reduce the deficit in Wisconsin, they should hang their heads in shame.

They need to pay a decent share into their retirements, and pay a fair share of their insurance costs....0 percent of their retirement is absurd to think of as fair, along with 3% for insurance in these economic times.

I don't know how anyone fighting for this could face their neighbors who might not have a job.

skinnypuppy.....your comment, "Hopefully it is a sign that the school board actually wants to try and retain QUALITY people? You can't have a quality school system and expect to have the kind of people who will work for peanuts and nasty conditions."

Could you please give specific definitions of the "peanuts" and "nasty conditions" that these suffering teachers are working so hard to overcome?

I hope tonight that we can concentrate on our school districts budget and not bring the Scott Walker issues into this. Remember that the chaos at the Capital started a few days after our students and teachers were notified of budget cuts. Lets take care of our teachers and students first here at home.

This would not be a wise decision. They may need to NOT have a contract in place if they need to make additional cuts to the state contributions. If the contract was not there, they would have some avenue to use if they need to.

The Janesville School Board cannot possibly be that short-sighted and out of touch with the current state of thier revenue problems. Approving this contract with full knowledge of the district's current funding challenges is irresponsible.

Yes that is very stupid...and so so true and so sad.

Does the city board have a choice when dealing with the Teachers gang (Union)? If they dont agree they will have a fit and walk out.

Also...you can learn more in a night of watching the history channel then you can in a semester of history class.

Hey maybe we could all start selling our plasma to the blood bank and give the extra money to pay for the schools. I know it sounds kind of extreme but it's worth it for the kids...... and the free health care... and pensions...and the early retirement... and the collective bargaining with themselves. After all it is a God given right you know.

FLAT TAX!!!!! Everyone pays a percentage of their income. The rich, the middle class, and the poor. That would be fair for everyone and would increase the amount collected. Then place everybody on a strict budget ( schools, fire, police, city, and state Departments) and stick to them. Its time to buck up and live within your budget.

Um...Joel...the district does offer cyber school. It's called the virtual academy. Kudos to any student that graduates early, but I doubt the district would receive funding for an early graduate. Perhaps these were rhetorical statements?

What if this happens in Wis?

http://detnews.com/article/20110221/SCHO...

So they would be proud of the fact that they are not only getting raises, but also still not paying into their retirement? And, only 3% of their health insurance instead of 8% if they participate in the wellness program? What does that involve....one or two classes, then they get the lower rate for insurance?

They should be ashamed, especially when there is a serious deficit to be asking for more. I thought they wanted to make concessions.

I will not feel sorry for them when the lay off notices come.

Local school districts should determine how they del with the teachers union. The state has no business dictating to local school control. Walker and the ignorant Republicans are just tools on the freeloading corporations who pay no taxes at all.

So if the school board does not approve this contract....and Walker's bill is passed....and then what happens with the secretaries/clerks/aides...if there contract is complete or incomplete when/if the bill passes? I wonder what the school board will choose to do with a 15 million dollar deficit...and for the teaching staff...it's all too scary to even think about it for our schools.

It is short-sighted for the Board to do this now. The state is going to have to cut school aid. That means the money will have to come from local taxes. Every property owner in the Janesville school district will suffer from this.

Hopefully it is a sign that the school board actually wants to try and retain QUALITY people? You can't have a quality school system and expect to have the kind of people who will work for peanuts and nasty conditions.

Why can't the board wait to approve this contract until the dust settles with Walker? The union held out for over 18 months. All of a sudden they want it passed. Everyone is talking about cutting teachers. What about custodial cuts?

More union puppets on the board no more taxes what part don't you understand