On Janesville board votes to hire teachers
Posted on November 11 at 7:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Someone tell us about the new report card. Why are they creating a new one and how will a report card improve learning?
On Board to review seat belts on buses
Posted on October 25 at 9:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Another thought-- how much reinforcement of the bus structure occurs in order to provide sufficient support for all those bodies straining against seatbelts during an impact?
Must have an impact on fuel efficiency. . .
As a former bus driver, I see accidents happening if bus drivers are given the task of being sure kids buckle-up and stay that way for the trip.
Janesville seems to be addicted to finding something to brag about.
On Board to review seat belts on buses
Posted on October 25 at 9:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Check with Van Galder bus drivers to get the truth. Kids are not wearing the seatbelts consistently. Who is going to check 30+ passengers and enforce the rule?
On Teachers, board begin contract negotiations
Posted on May 21 at 8:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
So, the Board wants to negotiate behind closed doors. They want to limit teacher involvement as parents with their own children, even though the current system does not cost the district a penny; they want to increase the required hours to attend classes although Janesville has the highest number of required hours of any district of their size; they want to eliminate early retirement even though the numbers show they make money on the retirees when they replace them with less experienced teachers; exactly what part of their message was intended to show that they value the expertise in the classroom that they so like to tout to potential new businesses? Mind you, I can find more positive information about Janesville public schools away from Janesville. . . The only reason I can come up with is that they want to demonstrate their power over their employees. I guess that would be better done away from public view, behind closed doors.
On Janesville school lunch price may go up
Posted on May 10 at 2:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
So, the general fund might have to cover any "red ink". . . The last I heard, the general fund savings account had in excess of $33 million. Now, $55,000 comes to less than 0.2% (0.00167 --to be exact) of that account. If we are worried about our families struggling during hard economic times, I think the district can afford to chip in a little from year to year as needed. Increasing the prices while simultaneously trying to reduce tax funding is a mixed message.
On Janesville school staff cuts proposed
Posted on March 7 at 8:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I do not understand the math. Lose 10 students at the middle school level and cut four teachers? Lose 47 elementary students and cut seven teachers? Lose 159 students at the high school level and cut five. . . These numbers are confusing. . .
On Janesville schools superintendent appears in vodcast
Posted on February 24 at 7:22 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
just learned about the vod-cast from someone outside the education community. Also learned that there has not been communication directly with teachers. How sad. She wants to listen and engage the staff, but fails to invite the largest body of district employees. Perhaps no groups received an invitation to view. Not exactly a great start.
PS Samuel Adams, I too, am tired of the scare tactics used EVERY spring by the district to rationalize cuts to staffing and programs. I've sat through quite a few Board meetings and listened as parents and teachers defend the value a particular program. When the announcements come out that the Fund Ten balance is bigger again, we are left puzzled as to how this can be happening so regularly. . . .
Posted on January 15 at 6:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Here is a cost saving measure that would produce better results for everyone: Allow professional training to occur outside the control of downtown officials. Currently, many of our administrators spend time designing and teaching classes -- even to experienced teachers from other districts. They do not trust the quality of the training unless they deliver it. I would like to know how many staff hours are absorbed by their obsession. Twenty years ago, I completed 12 hours with district staff. Today's new teachers (including experienced ones) are required to complete 80 hours plus the annual 12 hours of professional development. One new teacher told me she would not have accepted the position in Janesville if she had been offered a job in any of several other districts -- they treat their teachers with more respect when it comes to training. Providing opportunities to develop skills is entirely different from saying "you have to complete our courses if you want to work in our district." How many other districts create this level of pressure for themselves? Are these district taught courses job security for some of our administrators?
On No increase for Janesville schools budget?
Posted on January 15 at 6:13 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"I'm all for a total wage freeze, Tom but be realistic. Contracts cannot just be broken.. . . Besides, the political reality is that the party in power (the Democrats) at both the state and federal level owe a lot to public service and teachers unions."
I gather from your statement Bill that you understand that funding for schools has become a party issue. Gee, if future employers are going to emerge from our population or come to our area, do you think that the quality of local public schools would be a factor??? Public schools are the foundation of our democratic system. The JSB & Admin tout the great schools we have here in Janesville, but your statement minimizes funding to a political party issue. That perspective could blind some Board members to the possibilities these challenging times present. Open your eyes to the bigger, non-partisan picture of the value for our schools. Thank the hard working people who see beyond the immediate dollar. This community saw fit to invest in their public schools as part of the infrastructure to bring employers to J'lle in the early 1900's. A century later that vision is no less important. We need believers and visionaries now.
Page 1 of 2 | Next
On Fairness, speed of education-reform measures questioned
Posted on November 16 at 12:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Curtain call, when was the last time you spent time observing in any public school?
I have seen elementary teachers not only provide small group instruction for kids who were struggling but also organize specific skills practice for children with volunteers. Yes, many of our buildings are fortunate enough to have volunteers who know that kids need all the support they can get -- so maybe you should do some volunteering to help kids. You would see how much effort, patience, and skill our teachers invest in the children of this community. I am amazed everyday by the work they are doing for children.