On Poverty poses challenges for educators

Posted on May 7 at 7:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I ask everyone:

1. What should the curriculum consist of?

2. What programming is missing?

3. Have you sat in a third grade classroom and listened to what mathematics are being taught? Could you answer the questions asked?

4. Have you sat in a first grade reading class lately? Would you know the parts of a sentence that they are being asked to identify?

Do 3 & 4 before you answer 1 & 2, then you may understand the answers your own questions!

Those of you with all the answers, help and support our children, because through them, our future and community direction exists.

Good luck!

On Students from needy families place burden on schools

Posted on April 29 at 5:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

If you are a Christian, ask what would Christ do?

If you are an atheist, ask what should be done?

If you are human, ask what can I do?

Then do something to help a fellow human!

Believe in love not hatred!

Help pull people up, not look down at them!

Become a humanitarian and stand up straight with pride!

On More accountability coming to comments

Posted on April 2 at 5:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Thank you for doing this, but will my home subscription count?

On Janesville School District considers computer upgrades

Posted on February 20 at 2:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I wish that all of you could have been at our Committee meeting last evening at Adams School. Dr. Smiley's presentation was extremely impressive. For the first time since the dark ages, we have a comprehensive inventory of all our hardware, with software counts being next, plus which schools have a deficit in technology and why that deficit exists. He presented a 30 year plan for continuous updating, which will move forward each year to show all new ideas and what it will take to arrive where we need to be. In other words, it will be a moving snapshot.

Yes, the obsolete hardware cycle is short, but usefulness is considerably longer and that is the important piece. There are many aspects to technology and saying a few catchwords will not solve our needs, or our wants, which are considered for what may be our future direction, but not the immediate driving force for our district.

On start-up, only essential programs reside on the individual computers, depending upon the needed usage. Dr. Smiley is working on a plan to update all systems, networks, and equipment to stay within our current budget or at least with the best fit for the least expense. The past tech plan was completed by getting along with what we had and filling only the most dire needs, so a new path is being developed for the future. He has only been here for seven months and his direction has a laser focus upon our education, our budget, our future, our children’s future, who will be required to support us someday. Without the best education they may become a burden. We must stop the inward spiral of more for less, because it cannot happen.

We are fortunate to have Dr. Smiley, who is very talented and the fine staff of technicians who support him seamlessly. Our committee is made up of an ex IT manager, a current IT staff person, an extremely tech savvy business person, and an infrastructure engineer, who appreciate true development. You are always welcome at any School Board Committee meeting and all meetings are posted on our website. There are also informal listening sessions before the first board meeting each month and I welcome you, but I know most of you will not come, ask questions, or discuss these issues. That is your loss, when you are not part of the real district.

Karl Dommershausen

Finance, Buildings, and Grounds Committee Member
Janesville School Board Commissioner

On A fresh start for Rock County Humane Society

Posted on February 16 at 4:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

It is time to give the board a chance to rectify whatever was amiss. Remember, the the board does not receive monetary payment to do this - they only receive the love of the animals, animal lovers gratitude, and personal satisfaction.

To the board, workers, and volunteers, I say thank you for moving this forward and best wishes.

On Couple will restore historic Janesville home

Posted on February 3 at 3:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

As a restorer of a home in the historic district, I would encourage this couple to find a grant writer, who could volunteer writing for grants and also include contacting "This Old House". Have the grant writer involved in the application to TOH. Good writing could result in a positive monetary reward, which would be good for the couple, the neighborhood, and our community as a whole.

On Big Brothers Big Sisters in need of volunteer mentors

Posted on January 21 at 12:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

That has nothing to do with Ann, who is a wonder. Why even go down that road; stay on the subject.

On Big Brothers Big Sisters in need of volunteer mentors

Posted on January 20 at 4:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Lemke10 – you sir are the jerk.

On Have you considered cutting the cord?

Posted on August 18 at 5:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

We have not had cable or even TVs in our home for many years. We donated the then newer TVs to anyone who wanted them. Many did not want them because they did not have flat screens and this happened when those first came out. People sure can be picky with free. We also have no land line or internet at home. Those are at the office so our time at home is our own with the exception of our cellphones.

We also have a rule of not talking, texting or answering our cell phones in a moving vehicle unless someone answers for us.

We spend our time with family, reading, talking to each other, volunteering, and working in our business. We receive several newspapers at our house(including the Gazette) and view others on line so we get a variety of thoughts and viewpoints. Do we miss the TVs occasionally for a special movie or event - only occasionally. Most sports are available at various locations in town, including smart phones for free.

On Mine proposal could end federal flood insurance

Posted on February 20 at 4:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

A separate rider is available for your insurance policy, which covers broken pipes, backed up sewers, etc., along with other types of water damage, and separate flood insurance covers flooding from storms or other unique situations. Our home is 150 feet above the level of Rock River, but only two blocks from our home, I have witnessed a cloudburst, which created enough water to flow over curbs and pour into basements. Some people will not clean their curbs of debris and we know what plugged sewers mean. Once a curb sewer is plugged, try to find who caused that sewer to plug up and attempt to prosecute for your damages.

Since then, we have added a rider for water damage and Federal Flood Insurance because our attorney recommended protecting ourselves from bickering about who should pay. They both pay part in many cases, because some situations occur simultaneously. On the other hand, look at your basement, closets, furnace, air conditioner, and the numerous other items present beneath the yard level, then make a decision what you will need to insure and check what is covered in all scenarios from a simple backed up sewer – certainly not the utility company. The replacement costs alone should disturb one, not to talk about inconvenience, disagreements, and irreplaceable items.