Caddyshack - excellent post. You would think these people who think teaching is so wonderful would be knocking on the college doors to get their glorious degree.

Macdaddy: Can I guess that you will be the next person to enroll at UW-Whitewater to pursue an education degree and teaching license? $40,000 to $50,000 will cover tuition and books for your license, another $20,000 will cover tuition and books for a Master's degree. Hurry up and jump on the teacher's High Speed Rail gravy train to Easy Street.

Neonnate1002- I like your idea; too bad others feel $18/mo is not worth help saving our schools.I don't want to imagine what our schools are going to be like with all these cuts! Very Sad! Thank you to all the current and past teachers in Janesville for your services!

facts please, I am factoring a $35,000 salary for a new hire and $50,000 for one with a master's and years exp. Then you add in the Pension contributions (which grow tax deferred), health insurance (avg is $1200 for a family coverage a month), and paid days off, training and you get $50k-$70k TOTAL compensation, then you take those numbers for 9 months and divide them by 9 and multiply by 12 and you get $65k-$100k based on a 12 month a year job.

Remember teachers can pick up side work during summers and make more money or get more schooling to further their pay increase schedule.

Teachers are not going hungry and if they saw exactly how much it costs with everything factored in and what they are truly totally getting paid, they would shut up pretty quick. Again for a 9 month job where they can walk off and "protest" and still come back to work without repercussions. Even thought that it supposedly violates their contracts.

Now this is interesting.
From Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011: Janesville School District enrollment drops again

"If all the other factors remained equal, these enrollment numbers would mean a loss of $135,000 in the 2011-12 budget, Pennington said. The district says the average teacher’s pay plus benefits cost about $60,000, so $135,000 equates to two teachers plus change."

Now is this budget crisis the teachers' faults?

http://gazettextra.com/news/2011/jan/29/...

This is SO unbelievably SAD!!!! What are WE going to do? This really makes me sick! Is there any place that is any better? If so, my child will be there!

I cant understand why so many view the school districts shortfall as a problem for the teachers to solve alone through wage and benefit reductions. This is a City of Janesville problem that so many think should be solved by the techers only. If we want top notch schools we all have to share in the solution. If we expect a small portion of our population to cover all of the costs our schools will suffer. This does not sound like shared sacrifice to me. I am hearing alot of people say they are completely ok with asking teachers to make all of the sacrifice and wanting nothing to do with helping out themeselves.

It's upsetting to see the comments here. What we all should be asking is what are we going to do next year when these cuts take place. Who is going to do the job that these staff members did? What will high school students do when they want to change classes, when they want to apply to colleges, when they want to explore careers, when they want to find out about all the options? The word from the board meeting is that the administrators will being doing the job of the counselors. How will that go? Are they qualified to to deal with all the emotional issues that counselors deal with on an hourly basis?

The other staff cuts are as crucial. Librarians are not what they used to be--their jobs are highly technical and they are there not only to handle story hour but to assist staff and students with 21st century technology. Who will do this? The administrators are being counselors as well as their job so they won't have the time and certainly not the expertise.

It is the children and the community that will suffer from these cuts. Where did this come from? What will WE do?

Who should make the call that a younger teacher is better than a more experienced teacher. Should the superintendent? the principle? the janitor?. Teaching is not a private sector job where your boss understands a good employee is good for the companies bottom line. The person doing the firing in the public sector is not necessarily interested in keeping the best teacher, but may turn the firing process into a popularity contest or fire the teacher that makes the most money even if that person is the better teacher. This is exactly the reason unions are needed in the public sector and the reason layoffs should be done by seniority.

Greatlady is right. The administration and Ms. Schulte, I am sure, have not looked at taking a pay freeze or cutting their wages. If they are acting responsibly and for the best interests of the students, they should be doing that. I haven't heard anything of the sort, though. So I am sure they are not. And that is despicable too. Janesville is going downhill.

By the looks of the right wing kookiness I'm reading I propose all certified Conserva-Baggers have breathilyzers attached to their computers to minimize, what looks to me, like inebriated ranting.

This is what happens when unions get too strong. They price themselves out of work. It happened at GM. It happened in the U.S. steel industry. It happened in U.S. manufacturing all over the country. And now it's happening in the public sector too. There just isn't enough money in the pockets of the public to tax our way out of budget deficits. There are too many unemployed, too many underemployed and too few "rich" folks to make up the difference. But don't worry too much, public service union members. Unlike all those unionized industrial workers who lost their jobs, public sector jobs won't be going overseas. We'll just have to get by with fewer of you. But hey, all you soon-to-be unemployed teachers and such, you're sacrifice isn't in vain. Your union brothers and sisters who have more seniority than you do won't have to help pay for their first-class benefits even though your union said they would. You loose your job but at least they keep all their money. That should help you feel better while you search for your next job. And just think of it, if your next job is also unionized, you get to start at the bottom again. That means that no matter how well you do your job, when times get tough again, someone who's been working there longer than you will get to keep their job again while you get walking papers, just like now. Unionism, don't you love it?

Koch Bro...at least be honest. Is there not a shred of corruption in the entire Liberal universe? I have nothing against teachers or public union members. However, everyone should have to suffer equally in these tough times. I thought the left was all about social justice wealth distribution. If so, then why do certain groups not have to endure as much as others. It's fine for me to get a pay freeze and 401-K suspension, but not the chosen few? Where's the justice there? For me it is about taxes and spending. There is not an unending supply of funds...we are reaching a breaking point. For the record, tell me how high tax rates should be? The highest 1% of earners pay 40% of taxes and the bottom 47% pay zero....fair, hardly. Since you want to talk about the Koch's so much, how about defending GE. They made like 14.3 billion in profit last year and paid ZERO tax...no outcry from the left cause they are to Obama times 10 what you accuse the Koch's of being to Gov. Walker

I see many of you brain washed puppets still think this is the unions fault. You just keep buying into that propaganda. Meanwhile the rest of us will keep fighting for our kids and their future. The idea that this is about unions is absurd. Its the working class against the corporations. Wake up and smell the poverty line people!

Macdaddy. Teachers have lost collective bargaining. 2 things happen. School districts lay off all teachers with more than 20 years to save bucks or they lay all teachers off and offer them all 35,000 a year. The Gov wants 1/2 the pension and 12% of health benefits paid for in the budget bill. The nasty union agreed to that. Apparently teachers are willing to give that through the donations to help balance the budget because they can't open the contract. If teachers gave up what the governor wanted, and didn't get a raise, would that be enough? How much would be enough? By the way, total benefits and pay is 75,0000 a year. Saying it's "like" $100,000 makes absolutely no sense. Think about it realistically.The benefits are for the year.duh. Stop getting you thought process from the Heritage Foundation

As a teacher with a masters degree and 10 years of experience that is expecting a pink slip, there are a few things I'd like to comment on.

There is some misinformation that is floating around. During contract negotiations, the JEA wanted to negotiate WORKING CONDITIONS that cost NO money and the board said no. We could have ratified a contract with a salary freeze in favor of working conditions but the board rejected that. Now, the union members agreed to the pension and benefits concession. However, when we spoke to legal representation, we were told that opening the contract could render it null and void, a position that no one thinks is a great idea. Adding to that, Karen Schulte and the board WOULD NOT guarantee that money saved through concessions would be used to save teaching jobs. The money would go to the Fund 10 first, then to save admin jobs at the ESC, THEN to save teachers.

On a personal note, it's incredibly disheartening to read the disparaging comments on this site. I am aware that many people have differing and passionate views about what is going on right now, and that often opposite sides seem like they are speaking a foreign language. It's difficult for ALL to communicate. However, it's hard not to take things personally when my profession that I chose is being vilified. I love my job. I'm good at it. But in the end, I'm just trying to make ends meet, like everyone else.

The School District of Janesville AND the Board of Ed is looking pretty stupid lately. They are making announcements that have their staff on edge. Why aren't they looking at property tax increases and Fund 10 monies? I don't believe they have really looked at cost saving measures or else they would be cutting at the top instead of teaching and support staff. Have any administrators, including Ms. Schulte, offered to take a pay cut or freeze? Janesville is not presenting itself as a preferential school district. The superintendent and Board of Ed have seen to that. How sad for Janesville students.

Think of the impact that will have on our local economy, I'm sure it'll make life a lot better for all the teabaggers.

100 teachers cut, average pay 45000, that's 4.5 million dollars of income we are also taking out of the community!

mcdaddy, where do you get your numbers???
http://teacherportal.com/salary/Wisconsi...

Wisconsin starting teacher salary, $25,222 and average, $46,390. At least according to this source. Can you show me some evidence that the average is $70,000 as you stated?

Hey Koch Bro...stop being a hypocrite. There is no way in hell you can say that Unions and Democrats do not have a money/power addiction as well. I hate Big Govt. Republicans too, and it's amazing how quick the left has been to demonize the TEA party...(which so many forget is an acronym for Taxed Enough Already) when it's only been around since beginning the financial crisis. It started organically by everyday people of all backgrounds as a movement to oppose the bailouts. Yet you and your ilk try and label them as radical, racists etc. Your real problem with them is they are a threat to your unending milking of the taxpayer to support your ideology.

How much will unemployment benefit pay outs cost our district? What will be the short-term and long term effects on different areas of the toal school budget? Will still-deeper cuts be necessary over the next 3 to 5 Years?

Koch_Bros: Some people have the ability to see the future and what it can be, and then there are unfortunately people like you that love to live in the past and want to keep the status quo.
Time to wake up, get out of bed and get to work! Another day is approaching...

Why not get creative in looking for solutions? How about contracting teaching and custodial services? If they were not doing their jobs to a level that was satisfactory...terminate their employment. This is what happens in several private companies and productivity has gone up while costs have gone down!
Asking people to continue to give money to a cause that has been artificially nurtured for so long is unreasonable.
Sometimes it is best to have an exit strategy and redesign it to meet the future needs, not the needs of the past.

since when did taco bell become a skilled profession?

Noexcuse: tons of people will. The average get paid over 75,000 a year for a 9 month job, that equates to over 100,000 a year. There would be some that would work for half that easily. Some pay is better than no paycheck. Even a new hire makes over $50,000 right now with benefits. Again for 9 months of work!

jetski: So because you have a college degree and need ce credits all taxpayers should pay for you to retire?????? Ha! My wife works in the private sector and meets those qualifications, so pony up.

That isn't logical or reasonable.

MacDaddy..Make a list of the people you know who will teach for less. Janesville will hire them in 2 years. Please think before you type, then think logically. Ready. set. go

Let me propose a solution I saw tossed around Facebook awhile ago. It was proposed that all Wisconsin taxpayers pay an additional $30.00 to cover the 2011 budget deficit of $140 million. That sounded so reasonable, so we should just increase each city of Janesville taxpayer's taxes by $13,400,000/62,000~$220 to cover the shortfall. Ok, not all residents are taxpayers, lets say only half are, that's only $440 per year more. Problem solved right? No layoffs, it's for the kids. Who's with me? That's only $36 a month. Cut back on eating out, cut back on cable TV or the internet, cut back on that morning trip to Starbucks. I'm sure spending would never again get out of control. Is anyone buying this? I hope not. It simply comes down to the fact Government; Federal, State, and Local have a spending problem. End of story

MacDaddy - Am wondering how many college degrees you are required to hold working at Grainger? Also do you have to carry a state license and state required continuing education to work at Grainger? If you don't like your benefits at Grainger, than quit and go to school and become a teacher!

Koch...you're not even funny, just a jackbag with no feelings. Don't comment if you can't be serious.

Sk8 - As hard as it is to swallow, you make very good points and ideas. I believe the school board is following a certain agenda and their robot superintendent is swimming in the same pool with them. So long for caring about the children of this community:-(

Vigil: thanks for your sympathy. I am not saying because I don't have something, nobody should. I am saying, teachers should pay 100% of their pension, and most of their health care. Why should i? I don't pay for Grainger's employee benefits.

This level playing field is a way to tale giant steps forward together as a society, instead of continuing the gap. If union people take a step back they can all share the pie instead of those with the most tenure leaving only crumbs for the less tenured.

I really can not believe the union brainwashed all those teachers to protest that will now lose their jobs due to tenure. The union makes millions and has no accountability.

Oh and one last point if teachers don't like it quit, there is s huge supply of capable teachers willing to work for less money and less benefits. And I, as a taxpayer feel they would do just as good a job.

That's the problem with unions they have no leverage anymore. Anyone and everyone would jump at the chance to be protected and have obscene benefits. Look at those that would leave the public sector tomorrow for public jobs even with the new standards passed by walker.

vataloco - How do you get rid of a "bad" teacher? How do you know who is bad and who is good? You blame the union for this? Take a look at administration (who makes $79 to $120K) who should be documenting teacher performance and taking the following steps to rid the district of under performing teachers. If we have "bad" teachers, it is the fault of administration not following through and doing proper paperwork to let go of these teachers.

So much for the "no children left behind" act....may as well do-away with this as well. Plenty will be left behind now. I completely disagree that they are eliminating Title 1 teachers as well as any other teachers that are there to help those kids in need of additional help!! Just sick.....cut teachers before custodial or food service? Those could be contracted out services. I know many will disagree with me, but anything that can be contracted out at a lower cost should be, take a look at cutting salaries of the administrators and others making the decisions to cut these teachers, DON'T start 3 new Charter schools...comb all of the expenditures before laying off 130 teachers! I don't know why we continue to get worked up over this, because it's all a mute point. They've made their decisions and now the rest of us have to live with them...and suffer because of them. Very sad day...

Macdaddy-Just last winter, my neighbor saw me shoveling my driveway, and he came over with his snowblower and helped me. I went over to my friend's house last summer and helped him build a deck. A community thrives that pulls together to help it thrive. I like to volunteer time to help others in many different ways, even if I don't know them.

Asking for money donations seems lazy.

Why shouldn't we provide the best education? Do you suppose we should acquiesce to mediocrity? Where do you think America would be then? I feel bad that you don't have insurance or a pension. I would want you to have those things, but your philosophy to bring everybody down to your situation is counter productive, and in fact, taking steps backwards...

Greengrass, its nice to know there are others out there that dont depend on the school system to handle their childrens education completely. There are many things you can do as a parent to help educate your child and many better start putting that thought in their heads. There are alot of great teachers, so please dont get me wrong that they are not needed because they are. We need to realize that education does not start and stop at school. You are educated everyday of your life.

Outoftime I agree with you on this ! My wife and I are showing and teaching our kids this every day ! It all starts in the class room at home !!!!

Hi ______,

Thanks for all the kind words. I am also looking forward to all the good times ahead. I have been busy calling all the politicians from President Obama all the way down to our local representatives...and not a single one of them took my call. So, I left my name and contact info with all of them. No one has called yet.

This is crazy and a "sleeping giant" metaphor of people whom are going to wake up and stand up tall, yawn, stretch, walk into the bathroom, take aim, (you know), and then flush this huge toilet full down the drain. Too much hearsay and not enough do - say. I want to do! What the heck can I do? There are no options!!! It is time to push through these dark depressing days and focus on a clearer and brighter path into the future. All is not lost however and much is to be learned every day that we are here on Earth, no matter where we are or what kind of a predicament we are in.

Somehow, someway, there has to be a decisive moment that turns hope and prayers into livable conditions for this great nation. I say that it is time to start doing again. Wipe this slate clean no matter what the problems are, and find the strength to get past and leave the pain behind. I am so heart-struck by the situations that we have put ourselves in. There is so much blame, and finger pointing. However, I know that this is just a hurdle to get over: now we dig into make sure we are ready to leap again.

I love you,
_____

When I go to the store, I see how much money I have in my pocket and I don't buy more groceries than I can afford. Why can't national, state and local governments operate under the same premise regardless of who's in charge? Duhhhh.

Most of the teachers etc. in this school district are more than willing to pay into WRS (pension) and contribute for their healthcare. They have approached the union rep about this and it is the WEAC and other agencies that are telling them not to open their contract. Most of them really don't have a problem doing this. But if you were to ask the superintendent-hey we will do this-so will you save jobs and she says no. What would you do?

Ok, lets get off the Walker kick and whoever else we want to blame that is currently in office. Again alot of these issues started long before the current electives arrival. It sucks either way. Have they made things any easier...no but not many choices were available for the actions that had to be taken, unfortunately. I am not pleased by any means of what has gone on in the past 3 1/2 years, but my spouse and I do our best to keep what we have. Our children are the future and need their education, but lets remember that it does not come from the teachers completely. We as parents are just as much of an educator and need to pick up the slack that will soon take place.

It is the District's fault for shaking us down for building expansions, knowing the GM nver promised to stay here. The cost this district has stated many times reflects the shake down amount.

I lost my job way before Walker came into the picture !!!
We all know that everybodys money is tight right now !!
I am hoping with who's in office, Democrats and Republicans alike things will improve!!
Give them a chance. Then if not let the next election reflect that !

Fair education yes. The best education possible no.

When people get up in arms about cutting extra curricular activities, elective classes, ap classes ect, those are not extras I want to pay for. Nor do I want to pay for a teachers pension and health insurance, when i have neither myself.

Again if you desire better pay for it yourself. Don't ask your neighbors! When I want to improve my house will you all help me? Or if every person gave me $1 I would be a millionaire and be able to retire. So help me if you want me to help you.

"What Teachers Make"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4sy...

God talks to Walker link
http://www.progressive.org/wx030711.html...
Obviously this is a biased source, but what he stated at Christian Businessmen’s Committee in Madison cannot be denied.

I was a taxpayer long before I had a child in this school district. I figured since I received a good education that it only be fair that the children in this community received one. I also felt that if we could attract people to this community with our good education, the better off we would all be. I paid taxes for 13 years before I had a child in this district and you mean to tell me you don't think he deserves a fair and good education.

Hey macdaddy, you may not have kids and dont want to pay because you get no benefit from it. Your full of crap because I bet at tax time you are claiming those property taxes you pay for every year. Stick to the topic or stop posting. Come up with an idea that is logical. Think before you post. Not a rocket scientist...are you???

I just love when somebody said they will give $18.00 dollars more a month. As the song said : To much month left at the end of the money !!! When will you realize that we don't have money to give !!
I lost my union job after 15 years for which I only had to drive less than 3 miles to go to work. 15 years of senority didn't help me. So I wasn't the only one that lost my job that day !!!
Now I am thankful that I found a job out of town but I drive 90 miles round trip each day. Gas prices are getting up near $4.00 dollars a gallon. Our son is in college at the UW and have another in junior high. Food prices are going up. With everything else going up where do you think I can come up with another 20 dollars a month ?
My family has made alot of cuts. I don't live high off the hog. We are just getting bye !!
I guess I could go ask my boss for a raise but I just started working there so I don't think that would be a good idea !!

Sorry, but I think something could have been put into place starting in the middle of 2008. The district knew GM was closing at the end of the year. They had to know in the back of their minds that people would take transfers and we would have a loss of students. Do the people on the board pay attention to the news because at the same time the housing started to drop? No purchasing of homes and foreclosures for those who decided to walk away. Foreclosure = no property taxes to help pay. Some of this could have been avoided and its not just one person or groups fault.

btw - i don't have any kids in this district either, but i care about what the neighborhoods of janesville look like. the level of education in a community is evident all over that community.

There - that was a perfect example of someone who cares nothing about the kids in his community; and that is exectly the person the board is catering to. Nice.

Why should all taxpayers pay for your child to get the best education?

If you think it is so important start a private school, pay teachers what tjey think they deserve to be paid and have the best education around. Those of us with no kids get tired of paying for services we have no benefit from. Their should be a minimum level of education and I am sure even with 100 less teachers this will be more than met.

Oh and my taxes never went down on my house, they have continued to go up even through the recession.

Just look at the board's most recent actions and tell me how it makes sense to spend a half hour talking about how the district HAS NO MONEY and will be forced to make cuts they don't want to make, and then in about two minutes after they leave that subject, they approve a $125 million sound barrier at Craig. Those parents didn't know they were buying a house next to a school?
Sure, get them a sound barrier, WHEN the district can afford it, for crying out loud.
Those sorts of choices make my head spin.

I do understand that the board has been sensitive to the needs of the public. Janesville has fallen upon hard times. Unfortunately, the direction of their sensitivity (poor choice after poor choice) is leading to turning our school district into one of the worst in the state. I mean, seriously, no counselor, learning support, or LMSs? Is there anyone who thinks our district can retain any respect with those kinds of cuts? Forget about anyone wanted to use open enrollment to come INTO this district, unless it's for purposes of proximately to a parent's workplace and they don't care about the child's education.
I see of lot of chastising of the teachers on here, but it seems to me that they are the only ones trying to come up with real solutions, since they apparently can't count of the board to take this problem seriously.
I know Bill S. will come on here now and talk about how the teachers should have give back 6% of their income to help if they cares so much. What the teachers are saying is that this is a community problem, not a teacher problem, and IT IS.
There is so much wrong with the actions of the board recently, taking poor direction from Dr. Schulte, that if I got started, this post would take the whole page.
The one worst thing I think the board has done, however, if they've forgotten about everyone that is still gainfully employed in this city, who count on quality education for their children.
By refusing to tax when needed, they have made the unemployed happy (many of them moving as they find jobs) and made the rest of us WANT to leave.

OK, for people looking for a reason think about this...
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Janesville, as the population was growing and the needs were changing did an EXCELLENT job of creating alternatives education programs and providing staff to help all students have the opportunity to be successful.
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It wasn't cheap, but it was done and the district was able to be used as a selling point for the city.
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When the recession hit the district lost a number of families...STUDENTS....MONEY. Home values declined...more money lost.
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The school board did not tax to the maximum...more money lost and for some reason that is related to the money from the state...more money lost.
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So currently we have a district that offers an excellent education and is able to meet the needs of a wide range of students. Unfortunately through decreased enrollment, taxes not being raised, less money from the state, decreased home values and now the state contribution being slashed we are in a bad place.
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Janesville faced the worst recession since the great depression and the school district was hurt by that. It sucks and really I don't care who people want to blame. I personally believe Janesville has a great district and unfortunately it now simply costs too much. This means the district will need to make a bunch of tough decisions and in the short-term it will struggle to remain great. I hate the thought of that but I believe it is reality.
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In the long-run, because of the great staff of the SDJ it will become great again but it will take time.
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I relate it to moving from a large 3000 sq ft house to a smaller 1600 sq ft house. For the short-term the smaller house won't be as great but long-term...it can be. BTW, I have never had a 3000 sq ft house.
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We, as the community of Janesville, need to deal with the current reality and get something done to help this district. It can be done but we need to think about the students and families/future of Janesville and get over the past and current differences.
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I have heard several great ideas from the community and the JEA to help the district. Right now, giving something is the right thing to do. IMO.

uncle - If we're looking for blame, I believe there is one key group that is elected by the community to run our district. It seems you could either blame them for doing a horrible job, or the citizens for selecting poorly. That pretty much means everyone.

If I was a teacher in this district with 10 or less years of service, I would surely get the heck out of here!

Will these teachers be able to collect 2 years worth of unemployment benefits like the GM workers? It seems only fair that they should. Or are they really "lesser" citizens and employees as I suspect they have been treated for many years? Best wishes young teachers in your search for future employment. I am confident that you can succeed where others fail.

WHO ARE WE BLAMING TODAY FOR THIS MESS?

tired - those suggestions are all excellent

MrsG0919 - your right the blame has to stop & solutions are needed. Get out of the box we're thinking in.
1. Corp. sponsorship of gyms, scoreboards, athletic fields etc.
2. No more additions - EVER
3. Rental of gyms for outside groups - including church basketball leagues
4. Technology - laptops in every room at every seat connected to servers with each student having USB memory sticks is much cheaper in the long run than paper & textbooks
5. Charge every student for access to sporting events.
6. Double entry fees for parents
7. Students pay to park - why not teachers as well.
8. athletes to pay all associated fees for their sport
9. Band, Choir, Art, Pom-Pom, Cheer-leading etc. likewise
10. Rental of auditoriums for "non school" events
11. Summer school - fees are ridiculously low. Swim lessons as an example is $7! how about $20 or 30. It's $90 for non members @ the Y!

#8,9 & 11 - scholarships available on a as needed basis - I'm not totally heartless.
Need to go much deeper, I know but here's a start to consider.

916WI don't "agree with me" and then start laying blame! WHY there is no money is a matter for debate, but will solve nothing. The fact is our kids are losing the education they deserve. So what are we going to do about it!?!?!

How come you can make a life changing decision in 5 minutes, but you can take 5 hours to discuss raising parking permits to $100? Seriously how are the schools going to function with 17% of teaching staff gone? How come when asked the question to Dr. Schulte-If we give money will this save jobs and the answer is-I can't guarantee it. How can you not guarantee this Karen? What is the vision for this school district? Why can't the board make a decision about how much they are going to take out of the fund 10 balance? Has anyone just sat back and looked at how disfunctional all this really is? If this was the private sector the board and superintendent would be fired by now.

PanamaRed......It's hard to "cut" money that was never there in the first place........

factsplease.....Absolutely correct. That's the key here--there is no money. Despite the blame that the libs love to lay at Walker's door step, there hasn't been money for years. We had Doyle robbing every fund that he could to support his union base then we had the Federal government step in and subsidize the state school systems with the stimulus, while doing nothing during any of this to prepare ourselves for the day when all of the money would run out. That day is now here......

Walker is the one who CUT over $800 million OUT of education funding and as a result teachers are losing their jobs. Could those of you blaming everybody but Walker and the Republican controlled legislature explain how cutting teachers and eliminating educational programs is everybody fault except Walker's? Walker’s decision to treat education funding as just another expense to cut indicates a total lack of rationale or purpose. The education of our youth is too important to ignore. Whatever Walker THINKS he is saving now will absolutely cost us more down the road with a less educated populace. It is foolish to cut funding for the educational system as Walker is doing and expect to achieve better results. To simply cut funding for a program is a solution any ideological fool can bring about. Walker is not a leader but only a tool. Anyone trying to cast blame on someone other than Walker is either dishonest or delusional.

rprp, we do NEED most of these positions if we want a quality school system. They are being cut because there is not money, not because we don't need them. This isn't "fluff" and "extras" for the most part. This is cutting into the "meat" and our kids will be the ones who suffer. And as the school quality drops, the property values drop, the draw for new businesses drops, the population drops and the city's decline spirals down.

MrsG0919-I'm in! What's the plan? This is a community problem and we really do need to get past the blame and look at the future. What kind of future do we want for this city? Rust belt decay is where this situation is headed but it doesn't have to be that way if we don't let it.

The teachers still don't know which ones. Supposed to find out tomorrow I guess.

Here is a partial list of who is being cut.
Nurses 2
School Resource Officers* 3
Reading and Writing Specialists 2
Learning Support Teachers 17
Library Media Specialists 19
Counselors 25
Title 1 Teachers 9
(7 full time and 4 part time)
Literacy Coach 1
Program Support Teacher 1

Rehire them if money becomes available? If you don't need them let them go and rehire only if and when you need them.

It's easy to see where we all went wrong, just by looking at these boards.

Everyone has a finger to point. A person to blame. Everyone wants to give credit to someone else.

How about you take your credit, for your responsibility in the issue.

THEN we COULD all come together and figure out a plan to save our children's future.

Or, everyone could continue acting like grade schoolers, and get nothing accomplished. I see that option is winning.

Good luck. But, I'm going to take a stand. Do something, make a difference. Figure out how to ensure that my 6 year old at least has an outline of the American Dream in her future. If anyone wants to join me to do something constructive, feel free. : )

Layoffs have been in the news for several years, and it is not just teachers. But, in case people have forgotten, here are a few stories from prior to Walker being elected.

http://www.whbl.com/news/articles/2010/j...

http://www.wtaq.com/news/articles/2010/a...

Despite Facing Budget Cuts and Layoffs, Teachers Fight For Taxpayer-Funded Erectile Dysfunction Drug

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/0...

Do most people on this site agree that we as a state and/or counrty are going broke ? Actually I would beleive that we are already broke , but that'a another story .... I find it alarming that a politician ( Walker / Ryan ) that has the stones to say we are broke , the politicians before us bankrupted the country/state and I have a plan to solve it GET RIDICULED ????? Where as the politician's ( Doyle/Bush/Obama ) who spend too much and have blinders on are preffered ????

will the last one to leave Janesvillage, please turn out the lights.

Cynicaleye......You're funny:) You find it completely rational to blame companies like General Electric for the Janesville school districts problems, but anyone who questions the Janesville union's role in this--after they demanded a contract with full pensions, full benefits and a 2% raises within a district that was seriously in the red with a $13 million--is a "yahoo"? What reality do you live in?

yada......Please explain to me how Walker was able to "take away" something that was never there in the first place?

The simple truth is that it is the people's fault. Too many people have come to believe they are entitled to "free" Federal and State money and entitlements. In the case of education in Wisconsin, the people had a somewhat larger hog at the trough in Governor Doyle, who used the unions as a political and financial base and paid for it with more money and entitlements than many other states.

For all his personal and political party faults, Walker has taken on the unpleasant task of stopping the excessive spending at the state level. It needs to be done to make the state fiscally sound.

I hope the surviving teachers enjoy their contracts.

factsplease - I totally agree. Pointing fingers doesn't solve anything. Each side needs to own up to the fact that there's at least partial blame every direction you look - but at this point, what does it matter? The entire community will suffer from this - and the entire community needs to band together to work our way through it. The constant bickering is just making things worse.

Ok, I want to take a poll? How many of the anti-union commentors on this site are retired living on a pension that was negotiated by a union? Now, how many will admit it? Everyone is out for themselves, yes the teachers wanted the best contract for them, and in hindsite but we were all living in a world that looked pretty good at that time. Now Janesville needs every job it can it and we need to support our job creators locally; the school district.

WALKER'S JOB CREATION PLAN: SAVE OUR SCHOOL TEACHERS

WALKER'S JOB CREATION PLAN: FIRE OUR SCHOOL TEACHERS

Maybe it's George Soros - oh wait - he owns something much higher on the puppet box

Yes - SARAH - Walker has told others and at a lunch in madison that God is telling him what to do - who to marry, running for Governor, etc - he is hearing voices, but I don't think they are coming from God - it might be one of the KOCH brothers.

cynicaleye
Who else would you blame? Walker's only been in office 4 months and it's not I who has had beyond reality demands. I love your name calling through, kudos

To blame the governor or anyone in Madison maybe convenient - but not the truth. The governor's budget added 3M to the shortfall - the vast majority of the shortfall is because the school board negotiator gave the teachers 10 MILLION dollars we do not have. It is the selfish teacher negotiators that cared more about their personal pocket book than the younger teachers or the overall quality of the Janesville SCHOOL district.

SarahB1: And of course what you ask for is the right thing. Only you have God's ear.

Subtract 130 liveable wage jobs from Walker's job creation tally... Maybe he can appoint some of them to high paying State positions... I forgot, he saves those appointments for unqualified campaign contributors.
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/04/06/scot...

Thank you 14 Dem run away's this is partly your fault and that of the great Teachers Union.

Well, the blame game isn't going to get us anywhere. We have a big problem and this community needs to come together to make sure our kids get the quality education they deserve! Referendum? Save Our Schools fundraiser? What is the best way to help OUR COMMUNITY? The quality of the school system reflects on the entire community...housing values, business relocation, etc. This is not something that is "other people's problem". This one belongs to ALL OF US.

Wasn't a provision in the bill that school boards had to make up the difference without raising taxes? I thought I heard that. Walker knew that teachers would have to go. Unfortunately he is the only one hiring high school grads to $62,500.00 a year jobs.

DIdn't take long for some yahoo to blame the union for this.

So there it is- Go ahead and fight the budget, more to come I'm sure. I really hope the Governor at least stops the state from being the union dues collector and make them get that themselves, if nothing else comes about - stop the forced dues by the state.

ddr: It is up to the school board to take the dollars they have and make budget decisions, not the governor's decision. They can raise taxes, lay off teachers, give increases, lay off staff, etc. It's their decision. Just like your budget at home. You use what you have and live with it.

My gradeschoolers understand the math: If you have $100, you can either have 10 things that cost $10 each (fewer), or you can have 11 things that only cost $9 each plus you can save $1 for next time.

Thanks Walker, so far we have lost lot more jobs then we have created.

I think i could afford $18 dollars a month to cover that gap...$18.00 x 12 months = $216 per year x 62,522 est residants in july of 2009 = $13,504,752. a slight suplus to keep them teachers around to teach my kid.
population data from http://www.city-data.com/city/Janesville...

yada - You bring up some good points. Now you can see what Doyle and the unions have done. If the problems would have been dealt with over the past several years you wouldn't be dealing with them today.

Can we focus on the fact that we are losing teachers? That is a tragedy no matter how you look at it or who you are blaming. Our children are the victims.

Here comes the inevitable! No surprise, we all knew it was going to happen. Now there'll be teachers bumping teachers, when all or most jobs could have been saved. Looking out for each other, not. Maybe the union leaders can come in to keep the peace, or maybe they can apply for jobs with the state. Oh, forgot, there'll be cuts there too. Good Job!

DONNA W - Sorry - but you got that wrong, I hear people use the seniority thing all the time when they argue / debate the good teacher & bad teacher. All new and veteran teachers go through a rigid observation program by trained administrators. They are in the class many times - both formally and informally. Seniority is not going to keep a teacher that is not doing their job. If you are not doing the job - regardless of your years experience - they will set up a program to further help you, but if you do not make the improvements - you are gone! That is an easy comment for you to say, but that is where parent imput is so important - do not - sit back if you see a teacher that you feel is not doing their job. The school needs your imput and suggestions. Bottom line - a teacher will be observed and evaluated by an administrative expert all the years they teach.

Ok really???? It doesn't matter who's fault it is anymore. Doesn't matter what side you are on or who you voted for or what the school board has done. Our children are the ones who will pay for it. I'm not happy with what we have been dealt but I'm going to fight for my daughter's education. We need to come together as a community and save our schools. Great movement going on - Save Janesville Schools. Check it out on facebook or ask a district employee.

Regarding the comment about the union not opening the contract so it is their fault - HOGWASH! Botton line - How about if we open your contract / salary and take away over 10 grand a year from your salary and double or triple your health insurance. Then when that contract is open you are now OPEN to a governor that will take more from you & could care less about education or those that help our children. Pure hogwash of a comment - it is not the fault of the teachers.

denstergraves: So if you have to let a teacher go, it is okay to let the one with less seniority go even if he/she is better teacher? How does that help the kids? No wonder the union has idiots running it...they've just been there longer than anyone else. In the real world if there are 2 employees and one is performing better than the other, and one must be let go, the better performer is not let go because in the real world performance counts, unless of course it is a union company.

WAKE UP PEOPLE - This is not the fault of the Supt., nor the teachers -- it is the fault of a governor that has stolen/taken away more than 850 MILLION dollars from education all over Wisconsin. He is not just hurting the working class--> it is education of our children that he will destroy. He continues to talk about jobs and being open for business, giving millions away to business / wealthy. Did he forget that his cuts would force school districts into cutting - not just 5 or 6 jobs, but HUNDREDS of people in many districts! Each and every district in the state is being forced into closing schools and laying off larger numbers of teachers. He has stated that God tells him what to do - may God have mercy on him for the hurt he is causing our children, our families, working class, our seniors, low income, those on Badger care, and many more.

Sad day indeed, BUT--here it comes-- the Union decided not to open the contract to try to alleviate this pain. It wouldn't have saved them all, but the way I look at it, it would have helped. The board got us into this mess by not looking at the future of the budget. It just amazes me that they did not see this coming a lot sooner to deal with this before it was too late. Yes, I understand that state funding did not help this situation, but this was a huge budget issue before that was even part of the problem.

It is a sad day in Janesville! We are the only nation in the world that does not make education a priority. I have a great deal of respect for the teachers and aides we have here in Janesville. I personally think we are blessed in Janesville to have some of the most educated and caring staff in our school system. I am the mother of a 5th grader who stands behind each teacher my son has had. They deserve our respect and appreciation - not disdain and name calling. Thank you teachers!

Skippy, obviously you had a wonderful teacher as you do not know how to spell. (Senator)
The teachers with the most seniority should have the right to keep their jobs. They have put in their time. How would you like to lose your job to someone just out of college with less CE credits than you, only because they are at a lower pay rate? I bet you would feel differently if the situation were happening to you.

I thought His Highness was going to create jobs in this state.

I think that it is stupid to base this on senority. Lets let all the good teachers go and keep the other ones. That is awesome. Thanks unions. If the senetors that ran would have stayed, this would not have happened. If the schools wouldn't have spent all kinds of money this wouldn't have happened. If the teachers stop changing their contracts last minute, this wouldn't have happened. It is not all walkers fault and it is time that we as a people start owning our share in this whole thing.

Hmmm... 130 more families on the unemployment lines in Janesville. Hundreds more with a big wage cut. How does that help our local economy?

Oh, and we can hire an uneducated, unqualified person for a state job at a salary that's way more than a teacher receives.

So lets get this straight. We can't end the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy and we can't do anything about corporations who make billions and pay no taxes.. And we can't seem to stay out of useless wars in the middle east. but we can destroy our public education system. Well done Washington.