Well, I do know for a fact that not all teachers/coaches are well compensated for their summer time. They do it because they care for these children and do it on their own time..so once again, misinformed. I agree with the whole CNA pay and the factory workers. So, is anyone informed on what the teachers are really asking for? I do know 1 thing, when my child is school age, I hope that there are good teachers still here that have not left the community for a better paying job just 45 minutes away.

Booner: "The difference between most people and teachers is that most people don't complain about it publicly. If you don't like your job and feel you don't get paid enough, get another job. Don't try and make the rest of us feel sorry for you......because we don't!!!" Personally, I believe it's slightly difficult not to complain about it publically being that we are public employees and our pay is determined by the school board -- a public entity. How else do you suggest we fight for a fair raise? Why_Teach_In_Janesville's comment perfectly sums up our stance, "Let me remind you what the teachers are asking for. Not a huge raise, just to keep the same insurance program and premiums that they already have. this system is working with proof in the surplus yet the school district sees a need to make teachers pay more."

Any suggestions?

sportthewar you really show your intellegence (you must have been educated in the Janesville school system by these incredible teachers). Because I make a comment stating I think teachers are over paid, you somehow are able to conclude I don't have a degree and don't have a job......that makes a lot of sense. I do have a college degree and a well paying job. I chose not to be a teacher because I knew it wasn't a well paying job. I think most teachers knew what the pay rate was PRIOR to seeking a career in teaching. So why go to school for that career, get a job teaching, and then complain about the pay. That doesn't make a lot of sense....does it? I never met a person who didn't think they deserved more money. The difference between most people and teachers is that most people don't complain about it publicly. If you don't like your job and feel you don't get paid enough, get another job. Don't try and make the rest of us feel sorry for you......because we don't!!!

useyourhead,
You stated,"Now compare that for instance to someone with a degree who works with the disabled in a work or residential setting. That person typically works for $10/hr or so or approximately $20,000 per year. Compare that figure with that of a teacher and then see who should be complaining" What person in their right mind has a 4 year degree and is working for $10 an hour? Let me remind you what the teachers are asking for. Not a huge raise, just to keep the same insurance program and premiums that they already have. this system is working with proof in the surplus yet the school district sees a need to make teachers pay more. By the way most teachers aren't obviously in the profession for the money and do enjoy what they do. What they do not enjoy is people in this town acting like they are overpaid and asking for the world. They aren't asking for anything except what any person in their position would want, to keep what they have worked for.

Alright, it seems every time there is a new article about the teachers, the idiots come out. nascarfan, you have B.S. in what? Computer science? And you only make 35k as a network engineer? You are either lying or stupid. No one that I know would allow themselves to be paid less than they are worth. What did your education cost you? Tell the truth or don't post. Your online education is betraying you.
Booner, you couldn't be a teacher,so why even comment. Sorry about your job sucking and all, but maybe you should have done better in school then maybe you could have gotten a degree and had the job with more vacation and better pay. Quit whining about your lot in life. The teachers deserve more pay because we couldn't do what most of them do and I for one wouldn't want to.

I agree with csense. Teachers say they don't get paid for the summer but, in reality, they are earning a yearly wage and it is their choice whether to receive their checks 20 or 24 times a year. I don't think that their pay is that low in comparison to a similar job. A typical person works 40 hours a week about 50 weeks a year. A teacher works 37.5 hours a week and about 2.5 hours for meetings after the contract hours per month for 9 months (now don't tell me about all the extra hours they put in after work hours - some do, MANY do NOT - has been true and is even more so now with the teachers job actions). They work those hours for 190 days or approx. 1448 hours per year in comparison to a "typical" worker who works 2000 hours per year. That means a "typical" worker works 13.8 more weeks per year than a teacher. Now compare that for instance to someone with a degree who works with the disabled in a work or residential setting. That person typically works for $10/hr or so or approximately $20,000 per year. Compare that figure with that of a teacher and then see who should be complaining. Teachers should be working because they love what they do - not because of what they will be paid. It takes a special person to be an effective, caring teacher who makes a positive impact on his/her students. Money should not be the only measure of satisfaction - the satisfaction comes from making a difference in the life of a child.

Teachers and coaches who work during the summer and coach and/or teach summer school are paid well for their time - that is why they are willing to do it. If it was not worth their while, they wouldn't be giving up their time off. The world is skewed in the wrong direction - not just where teachers are concerned. For instance - look at the work that CNA's do in comparison to say, someone who works a factory job. Both are necessary but one is working directly for and caring for people while the other is working with parts or machinary. The CNA is probably earning 1/2 to 1/3 of what a factory worker is making.

nascarfan: You work in a school district and make 35000 a year. As stated same education level. Look at the difference in salaries. How many weeks vacation do you get? How many sick days if needed? How many personal days if needed? Teachers would be happy to make the kind of money you do if it meant working a few extra weeks.

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degr...

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/All_...

Are you people serious? These are the people who are developing our children's brains. You think that all parents are taking the time out daily to make sure that their children are above average? So some of you idiots who sit here and complain and say I do this 12 months out of the year, get a different job. Get a job where you have to teach, try some of the behaviorly disturbed or emotional disturbed or better yet a combo. You then tell me how much you should get paid? Also, please explain to me once you get your masters, do you have to continue getting more education or once you have your masters you are done? Also, where do you get your info about teachers only working 8 months out of the year? What about the coaches who work with children all summer long? What about the teachers who work with more kids over the summer in summer school, but I am seeing that the teachers should feel honored to teach those who fell behind all summer and do it for free..by all means, they only should get paid for 8 months. Also, getting paid for 12 months is how they set up their pay for the year. Now, go and do your homework and don't put your comments on here unless you are less of an idiot. By the way, I am not a teacher.

computer sciences and I work for a school district (not Janesville) as a programmer/network engineer.

nascarfan: What field is your degree in?

I have a college degree (Bachelor of Science) and am currently employed in the field of my degree. I chose my degree based on what I wanted to do with my life, not on what I would be paid. I am paid less than I am worth, but I do it because I love the work I do. I believe that we are comparing apples to apples - yearly salary to yearly salary, education to education. Of course when I complete my Masters I will earn more money, much the same way you will earn more with more education. I work 12 months a year and you are contracted for 9 months.... which means you make more than I do (on the assumption of an equal yearly salary).

Maybe booner and nascarfan should have went to college to be teachers so they could stop whining about the situation. I bet they don't have any kids either, so they are upset about the potential of paying more taxes to support a teacher pay increase or whatever. If you had kids and they have grown up, your obligation to support the schools doesn't go away!! If you don't like it, move to a state with less or no income tax!! Get a life and stop being so opinionated. That's half the problem with the world today!! People need to shut up and keep their opinions to themselves!!

Nascarfan, if you are a teacher, then comparing your salary and hours worked to mine is appropriate; however, if not, it is apples to oranges. Do you really think that all workforces should be paid equally, based solely on number of days worked, not on the nature of the work or career field/education/experience? Example: I know that paying a medical specialist the exact same wage as a receptionist just because they work same number of days/hours would be foolish. That seems to be what you are suggesting; please correct me if I am wrong.

booner, iteach is right. my wife is a teacher and they do not get paid for the full year. Quit bashing teachers. I know first hand that there are many teachers that put in plenty of time that goes unpaid. They have crappy insurance coverage and some of the working conditions are not the best. They are not being unreasonable with what they are asking. Keep in mind that without teachers this society would absolutely fall apart. We should pay them what they deserve which is a lot more than they are currently getting. Maybe then there wouldn't be so many ignorant people making rediculous statements about teachers.

FYI iteach, your $35,000 per year is the same as my $35,000 per year but I work for the full 12 months. So in reality you are getting the same pay for only working a little more than 9 months.

FYI, booner: As a teacher in this district, I get paid only during the months I teach. I do not get a check in July or August. Some teachers elect to spread their 9+ months worth of salary across the entire calendar year and get smaller checks throughout the year--we do not get paid for the time we are not working.

Does anyone really feel sorry for these teachers? I don't know of any other job where you work only 8 months out of the year and get paid for 12 months of work.