Schulte just got an 8% raise over Evert plus bonuses with no experience and they gave the secrataries a 3% raise. They have already been trying through the paper to make people think the money isn't there to give teachers a raise. Give me a break. Wake up Janesville they are not only raking over the teachers with the insurance fund they are stroking you as taxpayers as well.

Amazing Larry. I guarantee you the money is there, at least in Janesville. For example, the school district has banked $30 million on savings from the teachers self-insurance program alone. All administrators receive 100% tuition reimbursement, and retirement bonuses. These are but two examples of the deep pockets of those who pull the purse strings. Teacher pay is a matter of priorities, pure and simple.

I didn't say they didn't deserve it-it's great when the money is there. But if the state doesn't have the money, and income taxes are down, etc- this just doesn't seem like the right move. Other industries have to make smart business decisions based on other factors, it seems like the school board should be the same way. Not everyone who 'deserves' a raise gets one.

I agree. How can anyone put a monetary value on the importance of education in our community right now? Education is a pretty good investment in this generation's future, in my opinion. Hopefully the School District of Janesville can get the notes from Edgerton's bargaining sessions and start investing in the great teachers that help their children become decent, great citizens. We can no longer rely on just a high school diploma to rebuild the wavering economy in Janesville and the neighboring communities. Way to go Edgerton!

Amazing Larry - You're only seeing half the picture with this article. In good times there are no performance bonuses for teachers. No commissions. No signing bonuses, no moving expenses. Skyrocketing tuition. No tuition reimbursement. Janesville teachers accepted raises roughly limited to the rate of inflation throughout the '90s. All of this has made teaching not look very attractive for the past 20 years. Now that its relative stability becomes apparent, folks in the private sector might want to consider adapting a similar, more conservative business model. Professional educators are decent, hard-working people. Neither they nor their compensation model has caused the current economic downturn. Strong, steady, modest but consistent investment will always pay off--in schools as in elsewhere.

Good job teachers.

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amazing_larry - Back in the 90's when most people were getting huge increases in pay and benefits the teachers did not. No one complained about it then? Why is that you only feel the need to condemn what they are getting in bad times and you weren't condemning the districts for not paying them well years ago.

They are the most basic building block of our entire world yet you still think they don't deserve a measly 3.6% increase. Keep looking at the small picture and we will regress as a nation!

Again, well deserved keep up the hard work Edgerton teachers!

Does this bother anyone else? In a time when possible state layoffs and for sure no new raises and benefit cuts-and many private sector industries doing even worse-this seems like business as normal. In other industries when the economy is suffering and they aren't bringing the money in, they can't have pay increases for employees. It seems counter intuitive that the teacher's union is able to do that now. Ultimately, where will that money come from? Oh, I know, those people who aren't getting pay increases (if they are lucky enough to still have a job at all).