On Cullen won't run again for school board

Posted on November 12 at 9:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Also Milton Alum: Although Tim Cullen supported the referendum as a private citizen, he was not even on the board when it was passed. Thought you should know.

Sincerely,
Bill Sodemann

On Janesville School Board OKs levy on 5-4 vote

Posted on November 1 at 7:28 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

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

On Janesville School Board OKs levy on 5-4 vote

Posted on November 1 at 7:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

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.

On Janesville School Board OKs levy on 5-4 vote

Posted on October 31 at 3:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

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

On Janesville School Board OKs levy on 5-4 vote

Posted on October 31 at 8:02 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

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

On Step by step, Janesville teachers are getting a pay increase

Posted on October 27 at 10:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Harley: You are correct that once a teacher has "maxed out" on their lane and step movement at about $68,000.00 per year, the only increases that they would get would be the result of an increase in the salary schedule itself. In past settlements, I believe that amount has ranged from .5% to 2.% per cell - however I have not researched that carefully. This year however, the current proposal is for no increase in each cell.

Sam Adams: I fully agree that all people should be sharing in our fiscal challenges. Although it can be difficult to make apples to apples comparisons due to things like: some contracts overlap others with different starting and ending dates or things such as: "longevity pay" increases do not take place every year - just when certain milestones take place etc. - I still fully agree with your sentiments that equality should be the goal and I have worked toward that end and will continue to do so.

Also, of course teachers are as important as anyone else - even more, as they are the closest contact to our kids. I believe that the board, administration, principles, custodians etc. exist so that our teachers can be the most effective in the classroom.

Very sincerely,
Bill Sodemann

On Step by step, Janesville teachers are getting a pay increase

Posted on October 26 at 9:12 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I will limit my comments to clarify statements and to answer questions of information. I will try to avoid anything that could be interpreted as being "part of negotiations".

Harley: The Board did not write the article. Frank Schultz of the Gazette did. I don't see how the board can therefore be accused of negotiating in the paper. As to your other question. Yes, the district does cover the costs of additional education for admininistrators within certain guidelines. I was told that they do not receive any increase in pay for that additional education but obviously it could have a great impact when they are applying for a higher level position that might require a Doctorate degree for example.

Rocky: I will not comment on all of the actual costs incurred in gaining additional credits. I do think that your math is a bit faulty in that you fail to factor in that every time a teacher goes through the time, cost and effort to further their studies, they "move over a lane" and receive that increase for the balance of their career.

Obviously, if you are about to retire or leave the teaching profession shortly after you "move over a lane", the payback is minimal. If you go on to teach another 20 years or so, then that investment is much more worth while.

Sincerely,
Bill Sodemann

On Step by step, Janesville teachers are getting a pay increase

Posted on October 26 at 3:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Kay:

Good question. STEP movements (moving down the salary schedule) do end at various points depending upon the LANE (moving from left to right on the salary schedule) you are in. For example if you never go beyond your Bachelors degree, then you stop getting increases for experiences (STEP Movements) after 7 years. If you continue your education up to the maximum level, then you continue to get STEP movements up through 17 years in addition to the pay you received for a LANE movement (More Education and degrees etc.)

I hope that helps.

Sincerely,

Bill Sodemann

On Step by step, Janesville teachers are getting a pay increase

Posted on October 26 at 3:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Many of you are under the wrong understanding.
STEP pay has nothing to do with taking classes or for further education. STEP pay is what you get by adding another year of experience. This is the item that the article is referring to and what is being paid even though it has not been proposed by the board or settled on.

LANE movement is when you get extra pay by earning extra college credits etc. The Board has NOT proposed freezing LANE movement.

Sincerely,
Bill Sodemann

On AUDACITY of HOPE! Yes, Obama!

Posted on October 10 at 10:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Nvgrf:

I get along great with John. I had the pleasure of speaking to his class during the 1994 campaign. He was, and still is, a great teacher. I was using sarcasm in that, OF COURSE, he wouldn't give out a final grade before class barely started - and that is why it is foolish to award a Nobel prize to someone who was only in office 11 days when the nominations were due.

I realize that it is hard to pick up the "tone of voice" that one uses on the blogs but I would never say anything negative about Mr. Eysters teaching because he is one who inspired his class. John and I get along well enough that we are able to disagree on some things and poke good fun at each other when doing so.

Now, as to your "dirty laundry" comment, your tactic of trying to imply something that does not exist is disgusting.

Sincerely,
Bill Sodemann