There are obviously a number of different issues here.
Responsibility, priorities, contracts, state law,........
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Let's start with this one. twerp13 writes,"Who can say that participating in a club or sport event is less important?" I can for one. The priority should be academics. If the teachers aren't teaching on that day, deal with that problem.
Responsibility. It's the parents responsibility to see that their kids are in school. Period. It's the law. If you don't like the law, work to get it changed.
Contracts. If Saturday make-up is not in the contract and the teachers won't acquiesce, too bad so sad. JSD should do it in June. Construction will just have to wait a few days.
State law. Contact your legislators to allow for a total number of hours, not days required.
And last but not least, make your wishes known at the school board meetings. Don't let Dr. Evert be so stubborn so as not to build in additional snow days to the schedule. You can always cancel them if not needed.
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That is unless everyone wants to do this all over again someday.....

Just what is going to happen if the teachers refuse to work on a Sat? It's not in their contract... I mean their expired contract. I think we are in between a rock and a hard place, but come on if those in charge had moved quicker we wouldn't even have to be discussing this. As mentioned before, the Thursday and Friday of conferensess would have made much more sense... or even spring break.True not everyone will be happy with whatever dates are set, but I think a lot more would of gone for the other dates, rather than a Sat.

Personally I think we need more snow days built into the calendar. It is true that our winters in recent years didn't need them, but better safe than sorry. Look at what poor planning did for us this year. I would much rather have extra days built in to the calendar, than to have to go through all of this ever again.

I also wanted to comment on those that think that teachers should not accomodate the district by working the make up days. The district employs them. They are contracted for 190 work days. They have to hold up their end of the contract. The district would also lose funding from the state for every student in the district for those days not made up. This would be a whole lot of money from the budget. Teachers are smart, dedicated and understand how this could affect the district that is why they are willing to work.

I have emailed Dr. Everet and guess what....only a automated thank you for contacting him response. Many people on here have emailed and or called many, many times and still no response. One poster even said they were trying to contact him all year and no reply to phone calls. Maybe he was out of the office all of those times at the administrators meetings or seminars, but he could of at least called back.

I don't know but it sure seems like he is hiding from his responsiblities with dealing with parents. Maybe we need to replace him?

I will be at the next JSD meeting to let them know my feelings and ideas, anyone else plan to be there?

Does everything have to be a whinny debate? This is our kids education. The state says we have to have 180 days so we have to make them up. People would complain no matter what days they are on. Somebody is always going to have plans on any previously unscheduled day. What would everyone be saying if the district planned 184 days per year and there were not any snowdays? Everyone would be whinning about the extra 4 days our kids had to go to school. I'm sure that not having enough snow days would be blamed on the district, Mr. Evert and the School Board too. Does anyone realize that there are many districts going through the same situation? Do you hear other parents complaining. I would expect students to complain but, parents? Please grow up and pretend as if you care about your childs education and for once, stop blaming the district, Mr. Evert and the School board who are trying to fix a problem that is not going to make everyone (if anyone) very happy. They do not create the weather or state regulations!

Why is everyone complaining here? Why not contact Dr. Evert? Maybe he will listen to you, he certainly does NOT listen to his staff. A principal suggested (in email) WELL before the Feb. conference days that we use those to make up the days. We could have had conferences Wed and Thurs. night from 4 to 7 pm, and gone to school on Thursday and Friday. That would have made up the two days for the kids, plus the teacher work day we are losing on June 6th.

Dr. Evert DROPPED THE BALL. Email him, call him! If he had been a proactive leader, and a good communicator this issue would be over!! However, he chose to bury his head in the sand eventhough, the DPI has NEVER given an exemption.

If people do not call him, he'll try to ignore the ACT prom compaints again, but I'm sure somehow people will think it is the teachers fault. It is Dr. Everts job to fix this!

What was Janesville thinking, WE LIVE IN WISCONSIN? Milton added June 9th as there other make up day(which runs into its summer school), why is this so hard for Janesville to do? Because of my job I would make my kids go to school on Saturday because I would have to work and they wouldn't have a ride to anywhere. However, I do understand that some parents might not have a way for their children to get to school or will have other important activities to do. Like someone said earlier, You will never please everyone. Someone will always complain. I like the idea of a week for Spring break because then the kids have a chance to get outside. Why not start summer school a week later? If it turns out they don't need the snow days change the start of summer school. For us ,and I am sure Janesville also, half days count as a full day. I was told even if they are their for an hour, how true this is I am not sure. My suggestion for all of the parents that are absolutely against going on these 2 Saturdays is RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD NEXT TERM!!!!!!!!!!

well if the kids have to go to school on saturdays then the school board that is making them go on saturdays should have to work too. It was already decided that June was going to be the day stop changing things. My ex husband isn't going to drive our child all the way to school from So. Beloit so she can be to school. Why do u people have to make things harder for the parents.

I am questioning why there is such a big hype about the kids needing to attend 180 days of school in a school year? If you count the days the kids were to be in school (not counting days off or snow days) this year equals 176. Where are the other 4? Or are those counted for the days the Teachers are there and not the students?

If you have a complaint, don't just whine about it in the paper. Go to the school board meeting and complain. The Janesville Gazette has no say in setting the school schedule.

Why not add Monday June 9th and Tuesday June 10th? or all the days you let school out at 1:30 would add up to at least a day. mabey shorten the spring break,why a week? make the kids go to school on Saturdays is dumb and a waste of time,if I was a teacher I would be sick that day,WHAT TIMES WILL DR.EVERET BE STOPPING AT ALL THE SCHOOLS AND WOULD THE DISTRICT OFFICE BE OPENED ON SATURDAYS? PROBALY NOT.

wisconsinheat said it best. The pattern shall continue.

i'm sorry to disagree. but i do believe almost all the teachers that don't actually call in sick will be showing movies. expecting no students to show.

I work in the MSD, I've yet to hear anything about working longer days to make up for the snow days. I only know of the day we made up on February 22 which was originally scheduled off and then a day in June. I think we now have our snow days made up. Where someone heard about extending the school day I believe is misinformed.

Obviously, it is up to each family to decide if they are sending their children to school on Saturday. Not all teachers will be showing movies that day. Many teachers will be teaching required curriculum that day.

twerp13, unfortunately Dr. Everet sees this year and the last as 'rare' events and has noted that he will not add any more snow days into next years schedule. but yes i agree with you. there are other saturdays to despose. and only 50% of the students in all forms of schools have to attend for it to be considered a 'school day'. however the teacher's do not want to have the day on saturday either, we will have to tack it on at the end of the year. which won't work either cause everyone will call in, but tough luck. there is no controlling this, its too late.

Could the Janesville Gazette possibly report on what the Milton School District is planning to do. Our families do buy your paper too.

etowntomilton: do you really think state competitions are going to be changed, just for Janesville schools? or how about the couple getting married, should they change their wedding date to accomadate the JSD? Oh yeah how about prom and the ACT tests?

I think we all believe that education is important, as well as teaching our kids resposibility. However I think it shows just as much responsibilty, by keeping your prior commitments. Sometimes you have to choose what works best for you.

Who is to say that visiting a dying grandfather on the weekend is less important than going to school for a "movie day"?
Who can say that participating in a club or sport event is less important?

All of the above are important and each of us has to make a choice.... I choose to let my daughter visit with her dying grandfather, as it is the only time we can go out of town to see him. I hope others make their choices based on what is best for their family situation and not soley on the JSD decision. (which could have had a better solution if they acted sooner, at least I think so)

Hope Dr. Everet and the JSD thinks and plans ahead for next year.

It's not the children's responsibility to make up for the school districts lack of planning regarding the snow days. By telling kids to skip SCHEDULED activities for a last minute, mad-dash of make up school days, that is the complete opposite of responsibility! My parents never let any of their children skip out on commitments, even if it was just a 1 hr bowling league!

One of those Saturdays I have an ACT test that I took off work to take.
I work every saturday morning until noon at a law firm.
Most of my classmates say they're either going to skip or get their parents to sign them out if the make-up days fall on Saturdays. Also, I heard from a couple of teachers that their contract forbids (?) that if they work on weekends they can't have contact with students...? Hmmmm...

The way I see it, the school days were posted at the beginning of the year. If there is a need to extend the school year, fine. Construction can wait a day or two. But can our plans that we made months ago easily change. No one has yet to address those with religious obligations on Saturdays. The School district is absolutely asking for trouble if they count a child absent because of religious obligations. There is no school on Good Friday right, not on Christmas, not on Easter. Mr. Evert why not make up on Sunday???

Couldn't the students that are acually going to be doing something like ACT testing or solo and ensemble get credit for the day anyway; at least they will be doing something productive.

I can't believe all the parents claiming there is so much else going on that is more important than school.
Heaven forbid we teach these kids responsibility!!

oh, hm, maybe i just remembered a reason not to have it on April 12th either. ACT Tests at both Parker & Craig.

I have prior engagements on those saturdays. A wedding and family vacation. I should skip those so that the kids can go to school! What can we expect, they can't agree with the teachers on a contract so why should we be surprised that they want to take their weekends away. To the comment on home schooling, that is a choice!

Our teachers today received the "proposed" make-up days as being April 12 & 26. I have no rejection to the April 12 make-up date on that saturday. However, the April 26th day is just out of the question for the district and to Parker. That is of course the State Solo & Ensemble day. Plus it is Parker's Prom. This is quite upsetting that they proposed that day for the fact that it hurts the students that were fabulous enough to go to State, but also for the fact of Prom. I understand that school would not be all day. But for the girls, Prom is an all day event. Many have already expressed that they simply cannot attend school because they have scheduled hair appointments and such already. I understand that they need to make up these days someway-or-another, however i frankly say that day is out of the question. The following Saturday is more than fine; Craig's Prom isn't until the second week in May anyways. So as one of the Parker Prom Committee Members I must object to this date and can say we are full ready to petition this date if necessary. The school boards first task will be getting past the teachers however, and may i wish them good luck with that. As we hear at school, that just isn't going to happen.

Thanks!

I'd rather have it over spring break myself. Saturdays are just too busy between the kids who work, sports, church activities, and other clubs. I know that at least one important/mandatory 4H meeting is coming up on the 26th. Besides Saturday school is just not a option for my family. We have other more important obligations.

I can't believe all the whinning parents seem to be doing. I mean for crying out loud! Homeschool your kids if you don't like traditional education and the pitfalls of it. I do agree with no more early release days that's stupid anyway. And all schools should have spring break the week before Easter. Good Friday should be an automatic day off but the rest of the week could be used for make up days. It just takes some one to (OH MY GOODNESS) THINK for once.

Then just keep the kids home on any day you feel they're not going to learn anything anyway. RESPONSIB......oh, never mind.

its not being irresponsible its called being smart its not our fault. they arent going to learn anything those days so what the point of going!!!!!

No matter what days are chosen as make-up days, you'll never please everyone.
The responsible parents will continue to be responsible and make sure their kids attend, and the irresponsible will continue to show irresponsibility by allowing their kids to stay home.
And the pattern will continue with the next generation.
Of course there will be some legitimate excuses, but that's the way it is even on regular school days.
Everyone complaining should insist that future calenders have plenty of days built in just in case. It's much easier to cancel them if not needed.

Well if you make it for them to go on a saturday my kids won't be there that is not right it is not the kids fault because of the weather so why make them come on a saturday use early release days and add more days to the end of the year how stupid to make a kid go to school 6 days a week you need to think of something better

Can you say sick day?

Please note that there is some additional information down in the "Local News" section of Gazettextra.

I am more irked that I have asked for some response several times and have gotten none.. I will lose $300 that I have spent on extra-activites for my kids on Saturdays. A more RESPONSIBLE answer would have been spring break, but that wasn't going to happen. 6 day a week school is asking for trouble. Can we all say Mandatory Overtime.

I really don't have a stand on this at this point, although I am a bit upset that they let one good make up day go by because they were waiting on the approval of DPI to allow them to cancel the make up days. I certainly would have sent my kids to school on Friday, Feb. 22 after Parent/Teacher conferences.

No way I am sending my kids.. Mr. Evert is going to have to do something better.. Maybe if he would answer one of the 4 emails I sent I might be more supportive

Parker Prom is april 26th. could be interesting

Once again - you cannot extend a school day to make up for missed days. The extended day still only counts as one day. The State requires 180 days and a certain number of hours. Janesville is short on days - not hours.

On the other hand, I heard that Milton is short both hours and days and is extending the school day AND adding a day to the calendar. So it could be worse.

1.Summer school starts earlier this year for the elementary students so it will be done by the 4th of July. High schools don't start until June 16th and run through the end of July.
2.The high schools have to give up their buildings as of the Monday after school gets out for construction.
3. Early release days cannot be made up for the snow days. They are short the number of contact days, not hours therefore adding 2 hours does nothing to add the contact days.
4. Why should teachers and staff make up on Saturdays? Because they had the snow days off with pay!!
5. As with any other parent, my kids are also scheduled with events at the YMCA. All parents have the choice on whether or not to send their child to school. If the pictures are so important, then do that instead of school.

So does summer school start Monday June 9th and run right up until the regular school year starts again. If not why can't something be done with the start of Summer School being a week later. I don't remember summer classes starting immediately after the regular year when I was in school, but maybe they did.

Just seems like giving yourself a week cusion between the two would give the district some wiggle room with any make up days they may need.

I'm all for making up time during spring break and/or using up these "early release" days.
Maybe if they kids didnt have all these early release days and week long breaks for Easter they wouldn't be going to school until the middle of June. I never had "early release" days nor a whole week off for Easter!

Teachers will give in and teach on their Saturdays in violation of a section of their expired contract (2005-07)because its in their nature. However if teachers bail out the SDJ, I HOPE the SB and administrators appreciate these concessions and SETTLE their contract and meet their requests for a new contract. Its the least they can do to show their appreciation!

Today is early release, so kids will miss 2 hours of school. Why don't the teachers meet for in-service on Saturdays, and use the early release time to make up the snow days? They could make up at least one snow day that way.

At the risk of repeating myself - Job conflicts should not be an issue. State law prohibits employers from scheduling students during school hours. This includes make-up days. It is an inconvenience for the employers.

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Y Youth Soccer Picture Day? Oh no! If that's the biggest conflict then I 'd say the District did pretty good! Quit your whining and change the plans!

Excellent point ICE. Well said.

Why should the teachers, "waive the contract provision" when the contract talks are in limbo?

The Administration and the School Board continue to demand that teachers give, give, give, ignore the contract as it's written, and then sign a new contract which offers them less money than they currently make.

Why should the teachers even consider helping the District?

Monday and Tuesday of spring break makes more sense to me than Saturdays, but now it seems too late to do that. What if they can't get the Saturdays approved? They haven't left themselves very many options at this point.

April 12 is the team photo day for youth soccer at the Y and the photographer is booked solid so there is no moving the date.

I wouldn't hold it against any student who had a Saturday morning job if they skipped these classes. It wouldn't be worth missing work to attend two "partial" days tossed in by the school board on weekends when the teachers don't have to work.

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I hope the school board does some better planning with future years to allow for some make-up weekdays days BEFORE graduation which EVERYONE (including teachers) can be required to attend - without messing up summer school.