Allfor1...I have no idea where his son goes to school or why. That's not my concern. Many students go to other districts for a variety of reasons.

My concern is whether or not he does the job I elected him to do. So far, he is doing it well.

Hey TheOne, doesn't Bill Sodeman's son go to Milton Middle School? I thought I read that, but I've never heard whether it was true or not. If he is the school board president, but sends his child to another district, isn't that a bit sad?

They put so much into making select schools larger, better>> But why if the books and computers are going to crap?? I honestly have some faith in the Janesville school district. Thats why I moved to the area. There are ways to promote funding, and make a little extra without hitting the tax payers wallets too hard. (example>> selling drinks and snacks at the city wide track meet) If people would give up a little time to devote to money making for the schools, I think it could help a bit. (prob. not quite enough to solve the debt that exceeds millions) >>> But giving up a bit of time is something I would be willing to do for education, and I am sure many would.

all i need to know is, if the teachers union supports it, it is a bad idea

Take a look a at Milton. The union sits there like a bunch of angry school children in a huff. If I were superintendent I'd fire every last one of them, make them re-interview for their jobs, or simply hire a completely new staff.

DTB,
I would love to run for school board but it is a losing proposition. Quite frankly the union mentality is alive and well in Janesville and wisconsin in general. Until the entire state economy and government collapses I fear these people just will not get it. When I read a Janesville school board member talking about employees just wanting to make a "fair" wage! A FAIR WAGE IS WHATEVER THE FREE MARKET YIELDS! Seriously? She herself is a public employee! DTB...the largest employer in WI is well...Wisconsin! All those public employees voting? Good luck...They are the ones that got Ever's elected, the same ones that sat our state legislature and reelected Doyle.

Sodeman and Murray are the only voices I hear pointing out just how bad our property taxes in WI really are. Anybody that shares their views or is remotely concerned about the level of taxation in WI is looked at as "heartless, education hating teacher-basher's." You all talk this great game that "fully funding," (whatever that means!) our schools will suddenly cause jobs to flock here! I can't describe what a stupid logic that is. It is false and taxing and spending will NEVER get any jobs in this state, county, or municipality. You will only chase more jobs and people out.

dtb - check your facts - Wisconsin is above the U.S. average in per pupil annual costs.
- The state did pay 2/3 until the last Democratic budget bill, when the Democrats cut education funding.
With declining enrollment, it's time for serious cost cutting - starting with administration.

And, I might add; Kevin Murray is also doing a great job of representing the taxpayer. Keep it up Kevin, you've got my vote.

Instead of running for school board myself, I elected Bill Sodeman to represent me.

And he's doing exactly what I elected him to do.

Keep up the good work Bill.

I'm sure I'll get blasted for this but here goes: The truth is that Wisconsin schools are underfunded. I'm prepared for the blitz on teacher salaries and benfits, but when schools across the state can't afford the computers good enough to run software the students need or fix the roof or replace the boilers, etc. something must be done. The way we fund our schools needs fixing. The state has not followed through on it's promise to pay for 2/3 the cost of public schools, leaving local property tax payers holding the bag. One way or another, the cost of schools is coming from the taxpayers, whether its property taxes or state sales or income taxes or whatever. This idea does amount to a tax increase, there's no way around seeing that. I don't know if this idea is the answer or not but it's at least worth looking at. Maybe in the course of looking at it, a better solution will come forward. And if you don't like the salaries and benefits the teachers are earning, then get a group together and go to school board meetings and demand that the board be the stewards of your tax money they're elected to be. And keep demanding what you want until you get it, even if that means running for school board yourself.

jv92 lol

Hey anybody guess who got Evers elected?

"So did Evers spend the past two years coming up with this great plan or does he have a whole team of deep thinkers sitting around a table dream this up?"

Yah...that team of "deep thinkers" is also known as WEAC.

Hold onto your #%$ taxpayers.

"Representatives from the state’s largest teachers union, Wisconsin Education Association Council, and groups representing school boards and administrators showed their support by attending the news conference."

NO WAY! I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY WOULD SUPPORT SUCH A MEASURE!

So let me get this straight. The tax credit that normally appears on my property tax bill that LOWERS my overall payment would instead of lowering my payment go directly to schools? So did Evers spend the past two years coming up with this great plan or does he have a whole team of deep thinkers sitting around a table dream this up? I mean...does this not look to me like just a massive property tax hike?