Posted on August 19 at 6:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
TCB: Once again, old news: The teachers ARE liable for insurance costs, as it results in lower salaries in subsequent contracts. I refer again to the early 90's when the salary schedule was frozen due to the insurance fund shortfall. The teachers have never reclaimed that year of frozen salaries. What the public continues to refuse to admit is that the direct over-payment to the insurance fund is direct under-payment to the salary schedule. Three Million dollars alone last year. According to WI state law, the salary and benefits MUST be lumped together as total compensation package. Also understand, and admit, that if the JSD wanted to, they could have saved taxpayers (teachers pay taxes also) millions of dollars over the past 10 years or so, witnessed by the growth of the Fund balance to roughly $30 Million. Yes, a sizeable part of the Fund is money taken from you, as taxes, not paid to teachers as salary or insurance benefits, and then saved for JSD one-time payments for things like P4J and such. And before griping about teacher salaries, how about a word on administrator's salaries? First year Assistant Principal: $86,000. First year Principal: $103,000 to $126,000. Try to keep these in mind this year when the teacher bashing commences during contract negotiations this school year.
On Bohlman shoots 66 to win city golf title
Posted on July 28 at 9:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nice photo of Mr. Sportsmanship tossing his club. They will love that on the Tour.
On Jackson School principal recommended
Posted on May 8 at 10:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
$93,000 plus. And the community gripes about how much teachers make. The average teacher in Janesville makes $40,000 something, and a beginning principal makes $93,000 plus.
On Lunch crunch
Posted on April 15 at 10:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Teachers only get 30 minutes for lunch, same as the kids. And we have the same issues with long lines, socializing, leftovers, wanting to be first on the playground, and nervous tummies.
On Lunch crunch
Posted on April 15 at 10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
babaloo1: Do you offer the "Spicy Chef" salad?
On Lunch crunch
Posted on April 15 at 9:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nope. Served it in "to go" cups.
On Lunch crunch
Posted on April 15 at 9:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
truth1: Have you ever had the cafeteria broccoli? It was steamed too.
On Lunch crunch
Posted on April 15 at 8:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I read an article about the "silent lunch" a short time ago, but I cannot remember where. Try to "Google" it. The theory of the silent time is to get kids to use the first part of lunch time to actually eat and enjoy the savory cafeteria lunches. It sounds like a good idea as long as we also quiet the whistle blowers. Kids can eat in peace, no leftovers, no nervous tummies, no rushing to be first on the playground, all is good.
On One board member opposes teacher contract
Posted on April 13 at 12:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Mr. Wolf: My memory plays tricks with me. My mistake. You are correct. Perhaps ten years ago or so, the JEA was given a “lane freeze”. This meant that JEA members were not given credit for that year of experience, thereby “repeating” the experience lane, correct? OK, not a wage freeze, but JEA salaries took a net loss due to the “missing” year of experience. Also, the $1 Million I refer to, wasn’t it more like $1.2M of “Act 11” (?) money that came out of our salary schedule? As we all know, money taken out of, or put in to, the salary schedule is either gone or there forever.
Don’t be disturbed, for tension ruins your golf swing. Past contracts are past contracts until you bargain the next contract. I understand negotiations are give and take. School boards have teachers over the barrel when it comes to “negotiations” and our negotiations have continually grown hostile. One silent issue in particular right now is that Janesville school administrators have seen their salary and benefits packages grow disproportionately when compared to Janesville teachers. Example: in 2007 Dr. Evert’s salary and benefit package was ranked 14 in Wisconsin while Janesville teachers were ranked 200-something. Not fair, but life isn’t. This holds true for virtually all of Janesville’s top administrators. If we have top 10% administrators, why not top 10% teachers?
Page 1 of 13 | Next
On 'Strange' scenario haunts school district budget
Posted on August 24 at 9:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Rocksolid: with all due respect:
1. When one of your daughters comes home stoned, drunk, or you catch her in a compromised position with her boyfriend, let us know how the “Everybody else is doing it” defense plays out.
2. Ownership. The JSD already budgets $1300+ per month per JEA member for insurance, and this year it will grow to $1500+ per month. This money comes from the salary and benefits package, which by law, must be combined. Since the JSD has overcharged the JEA $3 Million alone this past year, money which could have been contributed to the salary schedule, I believe I have plenty of ownership already.
3. The wellness plan, which sounds like you have a big concern for my overall well-being, at this point merely consists of a basic health risk assessment. The District has no plan, no effort to meet my individual needs. Many JEA members, due to the lack of trust towards the JSD, fear the only concern the JSD has for the health assessment is to use the results of the health risk assessment against the JEA in future bargaining sessions.
4. True statement. Employees may as well use the District insurance because the money is taken out of our package anyways. Now, if JSD initiated a program like some surrounding districts where spouses can receive that insurance premium in the form of a TSA or even a cash payment, then you may see some employees opting out of the JSD insurance.
5. True statement. Our salaries are higher. However, the insurance premiums have further opened a door to higher premiums (which mystifies even your own consultants) and further resentment towards the JSD and Board of Education. We will again be at the bargaining table this school year, and I fear the JSD will most likely follow its own history of offering a contract with further concessions and a hardball take-it-or-leave-it attitude.