That comment was directed to Kiesha, btw. Not that anyone would have a problem figuring that out, but just in case.

Oh, I wasn't attacking your children. My comment was addressing you and how relieved public school teachers must be feeling right now because they won't have to deal with one more "Won't you take me to...CRAZY TOWN!" parents.

What point Kiesha, that you are uneducated, and passing it down? Youre right that has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt!

Hey Cass/jodymac/local81/taxandspend- How many teachers do you know again? facts are that 70% of the teachers in this district LIVE here , I would go higher but I dont know them all, just a huge portion of them. They care more of this community than any of your personalities ever could!All they care about is the community, to suggest that they are trying to get wealthy teaching just shows how dumb you really are.

Your contenetioous lies make most on these blogs wanna puke! You are an uneducated liar and you should really go away.

How easy was it to make you all go off subject and talk about me and my kids. This has been so much fun. Thanks for proving my point boys and girls. Too PHONEY!!

jvl, tax&spend likes to stir up the pot with outrageous comments like that. She is so ignorant of reality and has gone so far off the deep end she is now a caricature of herself and is not to be believed or taken seriously under any circumstances. If you ignore her, she'll eventually get banned again.
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Don't feed the troll.

1.4 million???? where the heck did you get that? WAY off! unless you're talking about some other distict.

the union bargains for lower class sizes - to the benefit of the children.
bargaining for prep time allows teachers time to construct quality lessons.
through bargaining, teachers are given credit for years served. years of experience are important, as veteran teachers have discovered through their years what works and what doesn't, again to the benefit of the children.
through bargaining, teachers are provided with the environment and tools needed to provide quality instruction.
the union protects effective teachers from personality conflicts with administration when they disagree with unusual or incomprehensible tasks to deliver. the teachers are the ones with the kids all day and know what is best for them.
the union helps to provide a benefits package that attracts the best, instead of body to simply fill a void.
all of these things benefit the children.

I cannot imagine why no one wanted to talk to Kiesha.

And the teachers of Keisha's children all breathe a welcome sigh of relief...

Keisha, for someone who harbors nothing but contempt for teachers and then looks for them outside of schools - I'd be curious to know if you're packing and whether or not you intend to harm someone. Most people can see through irrational behavior and hate and I would not blame any teachers for not responding or engaging in conversation with a stranger calling out people by their profession.

kiesha I was not there last night. I have been putting in, literally, 10-12 hour days finalizing all the paperwork due at the end of the school year to document student progress, meet deadlines, and plan those celebratory events for students who have worked so hard this year. Relax, the teachers have not abandoned the fight. We are and will continue to stand up for our morals and the future rights to strong public school systems who serve all children regardless of their circumstances. Catch you later. I need a few days to reconnect with my family and much needed rest.

Best of luck to you, middleground, and thanks for setting an example of caring and compassion that seems to be lacking in many people of this community. Too often, teachers do not receive the thanks they are due. So, thank you.

No no...you're thinking of OBAMAVILLE... I was in "Walkerville" and I saw no teachers. None. Not a one. Zero. Zilch. I was in the right place. I took pictures. I did not meet one single teacher. Not a one. Zero. Zilch.
OBAMAVILLE on the other hand, was full of zombie like brainless pot heads still looking for that change and hoping the change would change their hope to reality. But alas, reality was nowhere to be found in Walkerville, or OBAMAVILLE or Madison for that matter. I went there. I saw nothing and you can't change that. You can hope all you want, but it don't change THE TRUTH!!!

@keisha- Lighten up. There were probably a lot of teachers there. You chose to walk up to a tent that was housing homeless people. You should have walked up to a group that were holding protest signs and probably wearing matching t-shirts. That would have been- oh- teachers or other public servants.

I walked up to the "tent" and counted heads. Then asked if there were any teachers there. I was asked by a woman "Who wants to know" and I said "I'm just checking if there are teachers here." And the woman who was in a light blue coat and short blonde hair said "I don't know how many are here." So I raised my voice again and said, "Are any of you teachers?" and no one responded.
So now I'm a liar too? What a bunch of hypocrites. You people have no shame and no real purpose but the money. The kids mean squat to you. MONEY MONEY MONEY....

Kiesha - If you actually did go to Madison last night (which I doubt), you didn't look hard enough. There were plenty of teachers there!

So I went up to “Walkerville” last night to see how many teachers and protesters were there. My first comment on this story claimed it was all about the money. You all came down on me and called me names (troll) and said I had anger management problems etc. etc. Well, I saw 11 people in that tent when I arrived and there were 8 people there two hours later. NOT ONE WAS A TEACHER!! I ASKED!! Now that teachers are on summer vacation and not being paid, the crowds dwindle and not one teacher had the time to protest.
SOOOO… It’s not about the money. No…couldn’t be…
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I was right all along and the people who said all this stuff about me are found to be hacks. Don’t bother apologizing boys and girls, it’s not in you. TRUTH left you long long ago.

8% really? Ask a teacher that makes 30-40 thousand a year before taxes how much that inurance plus retirement costs them? Vato- their jobs aren't on the line. Even when Schulte and the district were busy going on TV scaring the teachers out of the district with their preliminary layoff numbers, the layoff numbers were at 15% OF TEACHERS. So now answer the question, IF you were asked to take even say a 10% DECREASE in pay to save 15% of the workforce where you work, would you? Again, DOUBTFUL. If the district was going to lay off EVERYONE then maybe I could see taking a hit like this, but why in the world should they? The district and the BOE have been mismanaging this district for years. To suggest that they are union plants is just laughable. They continue to refuse to 'tax to the max' (swear word for you repub robots) , without understanding that they create a bigger budget hole because they lose state matching funds.
I know everything? Not even close, but I at least read information and dont parrot the radio and TV that I watch/listen to. For a while there Vato I really thought that you were getting reasonable and freeing yourself from the mindless partisan garbage that handcuffs so many of the regulars on this site. Unfortunately Rush set you straight.

Thank you, justonepost. I was probably honored to call you a colleague for four years, even though I'm not exactly sure who you are. Today was my last day as an educator here in Janesville. Thank you also to those of you who support education, and therefore, the future of your community here in Janesville. It's been an incredible start to my career here, thanks to the students and supportive parents and colleagues I've had. For the rest, I hope and pray every night that Janesville begins to value education and set smart and stable financial budget situation goals to support it, not calling on one group of society to sacrifice for the mistakes of a few higher ups. Janesville will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope that all of my colleagues soon find the warm and caring welcome in the field of education that I have with my new job . Goodness knows it wasn't present here. (This, by the way, has nothing to do with a paycheck, although even that is better where I'm going.) I wish you nothing but the best, Janesville community and School District. My students deserve nothing short of the best. Please afford them that. :)

Well said justonepost.

When looking at the following link, consider the percent of students who took the ACT. It appears to me, that when considering only states testing 60% or more of their graduates, (WI, 69%), that WI would be in 3rd place. http://www.act.org/news/data/10/states.h...

Scores by state are available for many prior years as well.

I chose to live in WI because of the high quality public schools available here. Until you have lived elsewhere, it must be difficult to fully appreciate what you have at home.

Today was a very sad day in many Janesville schools as so many of our teachers are facing changes. Yet, the children were not used as pawns. Most did not know why so many of their teachers were leaving. Our teachers are professional. Thank you to all the highly qualified, excellent teachers who have served our students so well. I am still proud to be a part of this profession that makes all other professions possible.

People need to realize there is a HUGE difference between the typical pro-union teacher and the national teacher's union.
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Most teachers want to maintain a middle-class lifestyle for their family, be valued for what they accomplish each year and know if they perform they have a certain amount of job security. These wants are no different from any other professional.
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The reason I, and many others are pro-union/anti-Walker is simple...the local union benefits us. Most of us do not attend meetings, join committees and other than the contract benefits will never be "involved" in the union.
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That said, we also know that there is little no personal benefit if the union's power is stripped away.
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Most of us recognize the union's faults and wish the union would stop defending poor teachers. That said, we are thankful to know if we are the target of administration we have a union to support us.
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Personally, I love the fact that I do not have to stress about negotiating a contract with my boss each year. I personally do not make time for union activities because I would rather spend my time focusing on either my students or my family/self.
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When you attack teachers you should be careful because most are hard-working, middle-class Americans just trying to survive like you. Most will be their students ahead of everyone else, everyone else BESIDES THEIR OWN FAMILY.
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That is why this fight is personal. Imagine your profession being under attack. Whatever you do, as a group being called names by a cable "news" channel. I realize some of you have taken individual cuts...think if it was announced that your entire profession is greedy and needs to take that cut. Would your colleagues have stood by and watched...or would they have protested the injustice?
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I am proud to be a teacher and I know my students come first...that said if someone is fighting to take away what I have worked for...I refuse to lay down and take it.
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I work for my students...NOT THE TAX PAYER and NOT THE DISTRICT. They are my ultimate employer it is their opinion that matters.
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I hope some of you that dislike unions, democrats, liberals can recognize the difference. Teachers were, VERY QUICK, to agree to every financial concession the governor asked for but he refused. It wasn't about the money for him....IT IS ABOUT POLITICS. Weaken the unions...weaken the democrats. If you agree with middle-class families taking a hit because of politics continue to defend the governor if not...voice your displeasure but please, PLEASE don't make assumptions about ALL teachers.
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wow, i didn't realize these blogs were looked at from an editing stand point. thanks for staying focused on the story.

Bookworm...if I were you I would be ashamed at the way you spell and type ! " but know i'm ashamed "
. Ever hear of CAPS ? Now not know ! This sort of stuff gives all teachers a bad reputation. Please continue to go back to school, you need it .

bookworm-I hope you're not teaching English.

"Our kids score #2 in the country, while IL scores steps below."
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Wisconsin #2 in SAT/ACT scores; Illinios 13th.
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http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ft...
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Granted this chart is somewhat out of date (1999), but WI students have been scoring in the top 5 of these tests for many years. Feel free to find and share more recent info.

i don't know why i continue to read these blogs. i used to be excited to tell people where i teach but know i'm ashamed. why is it okay to bash on individuals you probably have never met? or why is it okay to assume and stereotype? we did get into this job to teach kids, but being a young teacher and qualifying for reduced lunch seems a but harsh. Please remember that we have college degrees, some with more than one and many with masters degrees. these aren't free. we pay out of our own pocket for these additional courses. principals however have their phd's paid for them by the school district.

I've had enough of 'maybe' and 'we will consider benefit contributions' from the unions. You just lay-off as many union members as you have to for the budget to work. The leader don't care about the low tenure members or the kids so they deserve what they'll get.

Amazing, reminding public employees that government serves at the will of the governed creats such an outcry. Is service such a bad thing? The higher the value of the service you provide, the higher your compensation will be. That is basic economics. All people are equal and valuable. However, the work people perform is not always valued the same. In some cases, government is paying more money than these jobs are worth on the free market. It has been out of balance for sometime now and it will have to be brought back into balance if our system is going to stay solvent.

I support all of us taxpayers that are finally asking for an accounting of how the money is spent.

If y'all want to be blind to the truth, that's your choice, not mine. The fact is when I see teachers now, I have nothing but contempt.

I can only imagine the teachers of Kiesha's kid(s) and jumping for joy knowing that they don't have to put up with a shrew next year.

Kiesha I think you may have an anger management problem.

After reading your rants I think they might be at home,but I doubt they will be schooled.

@keisha- My guess is that teachers are happy about your kids getting "home schooled" next year. Go for it.

really, defund public schools while increasing voucher programs for schools that perform below state standards. Its bait and switch, with teachers in the middle.

"I pay for you to screw up my kids brains with your liberal agenda and crap-cake curriculum."
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To be fair, the teachers at my child's school didn't air any of their grievances in the classroom. My son knew that some of the teachers wouldn't be back next year, but he didn't know why, and he hadn't heard a thing about Gov. Walker's budget, the protesting in Madison, etc. He had fantastic teachers this year, many of whom will be returning thank heavens, and none of them used the students as a sounding board for their complaints, concerns, or political beliefs.
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Based on his test scores, my son advanced three grade levels in both reading and math this year. This is a kid who always scores slightly above average, who behaves in the classroom, and would be easy for a lazy, frustrated teacher to ignore. No one did that. They challenged him, taught him, and celebrated a job well done at the end of the year with him. Despite their concerns about Gov. Walker's budget, collective bargaining, etc. his teachers did their jobs and I think they did it well.

Jvl93, if that is all you take from my comment then over dramatic sure. However, consider sarcasm the next time you read. Also, I wrote that remark to respond specifically to the people who are arguing very hatefully against the teachers. I know they are not slaves, nor are they treated anywhere nearly as badly. The point was simply that people are talking as if teachers are accountable to the random public almost as if they were owned or "indentured" to them. Janesville is the perfect example of why the public should have little to no input into education policy - it is bad enough they get to vote for a school board; that system is apparently not working out.
Again, great job Janesville teachers!

Kiesha
Jun 9, 2011 at 10:35 p.m.
Suggest removal

And jnsvlteacher, you do serve me. I pay for you to screw up my kids brains with your liberal agenda and crap-cake curriculum. You're welcome to work elsewhere. Try Ill. They love you guys there...obviously.
Kiesha
Jun 9, 2011 at 10:31 p.m.
Suggest removal

Well I'm not a teacher, and what I saw you and you're ilk doing in Madison this year, combined with the lack of REAL education (without liberal agenda propoganda and lies) has caused me to say "TOUGH."
Go get your fake Dr.'s excuss and live in your little tent city and distroy our public buildings on your OWN TIME...Not while you're supposed to be teaching my child in class!!!!
= troll

Something else I neglected to mention is that the 12% contribution towards insurance is only required if the union subscribes to the state plan. Because Janesville is self insured, they could negotiate a lower percentage as the Turner district did. The teachers really should look at working with the district rather than fighting, the end result will be be much worse for them if they wait until the law goes into effect and they are forced to take the maximum concessions.

Janesvillean,
The union has been asked for concessions in every contract negotiation. They have refused every time and were protected by state law. The governor has finally forced the issue due to the unions unwillingness to work with the school districts. Had the unions been more willing to give a little previously, the amount now would not be so much.

Thanks Rep. Joe. First you take away then you give back because it is the right thing to do? Welcome to amateur hour at the Capitol. Maybe if you had just left that all alone for the mature adults to figure out you would not look so foolish.

Nobody has ever been asked to take a 15% pay cut, it is 5.8% of their salary towards pension costs and 12% of the cost of their insurance. This equates to a total of around 8%. Keep in mind that the 5.8% is given back with interest at the time of retirement. So in reality it is a reduction of 2.2% or less.

vatoloco, when were the teachers ASKED to take a salary cut? Please point out when they were ASKED.

Enslaved? Indentured servitude? LOL...A little dramatic this morning aren't we?

Wow, apparently there are people in Janesville who think serve the community actually means allow one's self to become enslaved by the community. Teaching is not indentured servitude people - they have professional degrees (often two or more). Teachers deserve to make money, they deserve to defend their incomes, they also deserve to be respected. All three of these things are continually under attack in this community. Kudos to those teachers who are leaving - and good luck to you as well.
Also, I am curious as to what a "real" education would consist of Kiesha. If you are truly worried about what is being taught you have the right to ask your student be exempt from certain lessons. The current school board president does this with his children often. However, to call the education in Janesville "liberal propaganda" is simply ridiculous.
Janesville teachers should not reopen their contracts. Most of the board and the superintendent have shown nothing but an untrustworthy disdain for the teachers and other employees of the district. Our community and the ways it runs itself is a joke to the rest of the state. I am not proud of this, but apparently some of you are as the attitudes are not changing and the condescending, hateful, and prejudicial comments continue to flow from our community.
Thank you teachers; thank you for teaching our kids, for making our community a better place to live, and for sticking it out for the students even when much of the community is ignorant.

@asking4respect, Bye Bye and I doubt you will ever EARN any respect.

@klc Kondescending, Liberal, C = your choice.

I thought teachers served the community! Based on comments here, they only serve themselves. All Public Employees serve the taxpayer, even the elected. It's the elected who hire the administrators, who hire the teachers. So, all public employees serve the taxpayer.

The Turner school district just extended the teachers' contract for one year. The teachers agreed to pay 5.8% in to the retirement system and 8% of their insurance costs. Maybe the Janesville teachers could do something similar?

You run with that...all the way out of town

If the school district is so financially broke, then why are administrators still getting raises, mileage expense accounts, and reimbursements for Ph.D. degrees?

I dare you to talk to a cop this way the next time you get pulled over.

anotheropinion, if you don't like the schools here, feel free to leave for another city and take your tax dollars with you (Kiesha too).

Keisha - they don't serve YOU. They serve the kids. The fact that public education is funded by tax dollars does not make YOU their employer. That is, of course, unless you believe that you are also the boss of every single public employee that provides a service to the members of the community. You exemplify the reason I feel sorry for those that remain in this district.

Tomorrow is my last day with the School District of Janesville. It's quite clear from these blogs that the general public has no idea how the teachers have been tossed around this year. In my own building, about half the teachers have now been reassigned to different positions, while a large group who have been called back (me included) have said no thank you. I simply ask the school board to take a good look at the staff roll over and ask themselves why this has happened, when they should have expected almost NO new hires with all the people that were on recall status. This district has gone from exemplary to WAY below average in the matter of just a few years. I feel sorry for those that remain.

WI teachers are 28th in the country in salary and benefits, while IL is #2. Our kids score #2 in the country, while IL scores steps below. I'd say yes, the teacher interested in taking a job over the state border has good reason.

Rich, that's garbage.

Kiesha - it is the comments and mentalities such as yours that drive us away.

And jnsvlteacher, you do serve me. I pay for you to screw up my kids brains with your liberal agenda and crap-cake curriculum. You're welcome to work elsewhere. Try Ill. They love you guys there...obviously.

Well I'm not a teacher, and what I saw you and you're ilk doing in Madison this year, combined with the lack of REAL education (without liberal agenda propoganda and lies) has caused me to say "TOUGH."
Go get your fake Dr.'s excuss and live in your little tent city and distroy our public buildings on your OWN TIME...Not while you're supposed to be teaching my child in class!!!!

I am a teacher. If all I cared about was money I wouldn't haven't used my skill set in this venue - I would have taken a different job. I do, however, have a mortgage and student loans that need to be repaid. Further, I would rather not have to feel like I am being asked to take a vow of poverty to do the job I love.
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I know this community has been damaged deeply by the perfect storm of the loss of a huge employer coupled with what seems to be the never-ending recession. Shared sacrifice. I am willing to do my part.
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BUT, I want to know that my part will be met by your part. I want to know that my sacrifice will be appreciated. I want to know that the reaction from the community won't be a cynical, "It is about time." So I am stuck. I don't know what to do. I feel I am darned if I do and if I don't. All things being equal, I'll keep the little comfort in my budget.

I have a close friend whose job was not in danger but is leaving Janesville. This teacher confides privately that the reason for leaving is incompetent teachers obstructing the educational process. They are protected by union work rules. This is the dark side of collective bargaining. It protects those who don't deserve protection. Collective Bargaining also allows administrators to be lazy. They can always say "the contract made me do it" rather than lead. It is just like the hey day of GM.

Just like teachers cannot pick and choose what students that are in their classes. But I guess the Algebra 1A teacher should make less money than the AP Calculus teacher because her students are less successful. Maybe once you could take your tax dollars elsewhere, she could eliminate the truants, behavior problems, or kids who don't like numbers from her class.

anotheropinion - "They know I can't take my tax dollars with me so it is sometimes tempting to remind them that we are the people they should be serving."
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I serve my students. I DON'T serve you.

No I don't have to remind the server, or the cashier at the store that my patronage is part of the reason they have jobs. They make me feel as if my business is appreciated. Maybe that's because they know that I have a choice where I spend my money and will go elsewhere if I receive poor service. This is not so with public employees. They know I can't take my tax dollars with me so it is sometimes tempting to remind them that we are the people they should be serving.

"a taxpayer stranglehold contract" thats funny , even for you Vato. The board is influenced by the evil union? Have you looked at the makeup of the board lately? When a teacher recieves his\her paycehck its theirs, not the taxpayers.
If someone asked you to vote yourself a 15% pay cut you would right vato? Doubtful. Teachers need a union to protect themselves from superintendants like Schulte, and school boards like Janesvilles current monstrocity. The demonizing of a union to try to benefit your political talking points is just getting silly. Can we stop with the "union" rhetoric. Its getting repetetive and silly.
BTW all this is , is Schlte and Knilans trying to get themselves on TV as a PR stunt. There is no way on Earth JEA opens their contract , after the way the district has handled the layoffs and recalls has been nothing short of shameful. Many of the districts finest young teachers are now gone to other districts and have been recalle. Do any of them want to taech in this district? They certainly dont blame the union for their decision as some of you continue to insinuate. They blame the nightmare of a superintendant, and she is all of that and more for the teachers here. The board picked her and she is little more than a republican operative to try to force the teachers to open their contract. To make the statement that she is somehow a union influenced person, along with the board is absolutely FALSE!
I get tired of this argument. This is like the 20th time that these people run to TV and newspapers to get attention and try this one. The answer will be the same, NO! NO,NO,NO,NO,NO! how many more times do you have to hear it. If Knilans is so worried about unemployed teachers then maybe he should meet with the governor and let him know that he shouldnt be cutting public ed dollars. To pay off his political contributors(which he does) on the backs of educators is shameful.

Well said lovetoread! I think it is basic jealously myself. Lots of uneducated people resent educated people. It's too bad, but a reality.

Every time I go to the dentist, I don't say, "Hey, you're lucky I'm here because I provide your paycheck.

Every time I go to Sentry grocery store, I don't say to the cashier, "Aren't you glad that I came through your aisle because I am what gives you a paycheck."

Every time I eat at a restaurant I don't remind my waitress or the restaurant owner that my business is what keeps the doors open and that waitress employed.

Why then, when public sectors workers (teachers) provice a service to our children and their community, we throw it in their face that we are the ones who are giving them their paycheck. And, God forbid, they should make a decent living.

Other communities support teachers. Other countries hold teachers in very high respect.

Janesville, you should be ashamed! All you do is criticize/bash teachers. You won't be happy until they volunteer their time without compensation. Doctors, lawyers, realtors, engineers, and other area professionals are all about doing things for free. I never get charged when they provide a service. Do you? (That's called sarcasm folks!)

bill, most school districts don't actually finalize their budgets until about the first of October, once they know how much state aid they'll be getting and how much property tax money they need.

billnewbie - It's because this "maybe" amendment has to pass first, and that won't happen until July, I think, and that is if it passes. It's not a game. And those "very expensive benefit plans" make the district a lot of money - over twenty million I think.

Nice, already going on the "it's for the kids." Why do you go to work jv? I know my real estate agent works to put homeowners in houses, not because of the comission. My lawyer has a strong devotion to justice, not the check I write him. And an engineer friend of mine doesn't care about his paycheck, improving water quality by reducing runoff at his construction sites is all the payback he needs. There may be some teachers who are only in it for the kids, but their husbands/wives make six figures so they have that luxury.

No one is asking the right questions of Knilans and Sodemann......"So, you want each and every teacher to give back thousands and thousands of dollars from the contract they already negotiated in good faith. What will teachers get in return?" Is there a guarantee that all of their colleagues who lost their jobs and all of those elective classes that were cut be reinstated? What about all the teachers that already gave to the "Save the Schools" fund?

The Republicans continue to talk about "shared sacrifice." Well, until they agree that taxes may need to be raised (or quit giving money away to big business), the teachers should say NO!

Just on tonight's news it was reported that the new concealed weapons law would cost several million dollars to implement. They've got $$$ for their agenda....just not $$$ for education. They are trying to balance the budget on the backs of State workers. Not fair!

I will guarantee right now JEA will NOT open their contract. You might as well cut gthis crap out, its not going to work. A negotiated contract is just that. Parr knows it, he needs to keep trying to play both sides.

This is just a small dip in the bucket. While I (and most others) pay a larger portion. Example: I pay 9% to a retirement fund and 25% of my family medical. I also pay for my own life insurance. So I don't think that this is so bad, I wish I would only have to pay what the teachers are now going to have to pay. And my pay comes from company profit, TEACHERS PAY IS MY TAX DOLLARS!!! (This bill should have also included all of the elected officials benefits - local, state, & federal).

MONEY MONEY MONEY
Kepp telling us it's all about the kids teachers. Oh how you lie...

@billnewbie What did the union say they would do? Consult with the membership? They did that and continue to do so. They never said teachers would pay as long as the contract were not in danger- they do not have that authority.

Collective bargaining at the expense of quality education for our children? Interesting. At least we know where they stand.

So its not about the kids?

You are wrong.They said keep collective bargaining--then concessions. Walker ,Knilans and all the other puppet mouthpieces said no.

Yes, yes you are wrong. The unions said that they would be willing to reopen their contracts and pay in for pension and health care IF they could keep their collective bargaining. Since they are not going to be able to keep their collective bargaining there is no reason to hold up their end of the bargain. And please, before you try to tell me they should to it to save jobs....the BOE has said that there is no guarantee that money saved from benefit contributions would be used to save any positions.

On a radio broadcast that was on 1230am this morning, Mr. Parr was said to have stated that if this passes, the union may have a meeting on it late in the summer or fall. He said that they would then consult the membership to see if there is any interest in reopening the contract on those terms. I took that to mean that they intend to delay any response until after the school board has dealt with the budget. Since the budget will already be set and the shortfall dealt with, I'm sure the union won't see any need to help out the school district by then. I'd like to be wrong about this, but it seems plain to me that our teachers' union has no intention of doing what they said they would do, which is to contribute more for their very expensive benefit plans.