thank you Walker? That is a funny joke! Maybe for the threat of laying off 100 teachers! The Governors stupid bill had nothing to do with this at all, as a matter of a fact with Teacher contracts still in place I challenge you to find exactly one dollar that was saved because of the UNEDUCATED governor that is not even qualified to be a substitute kindergarten teacher! Grandys, you need some better talking points.

Gazette-PLEASE investigate exactly what things have been cut, and what changes will be happening next year. People should know exactly what impact these cuts will have and what services the kids and schools will no longer be receiving.
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Over 100 people have lost their job or been cut from full to part-time. This was not solved by magic or fiscal conservatism. When the reality of these cuts become apparent, people will see why some of us are VERY concerned about the impact this will have on the future of this community.

Can anyone tell me the difference between an LMS and an Innovation Specialist (the new title)? How are their jobs different? Not one LMS or Innovation Specialist has been able to answer that question for me. They all shrug their shoulders. Maybe I need to ask Dr. Schulte.

You know what's weird? The district didn't have enough money to keep some of the teachers and counselors that remained laid off, but now they're paying to train them in their newly defined roles during the summer. Does that make sense? Why didn't they just take that money they're using to paying 80 teachers hourly stipends for 3 days and keep the teachers? I'm confused.

State school funding was cut 8.4% for fiscal year 2012, and 7.7% in 2013 in Walker's budget plan. I thought most everyone at least knew funds toward education were being cut. Wow.

OMG, Grandy! Seriously? Have you not yet heard how much is being cut from education with the new budget? That was a very... uninformed comment.

The fund for "Save Janesville Schools" has over $60,000 ready to go and another pledged similar amount bringing this supporting fund to nearly $130,000. Bill S and Karen have known about these funds for more than a week, but have not included those in their calculations, either.

I have been saying the EXACT same things as you that have posted before me!! 100 teachers were allegedly laid off? Where? Of the 25 guidance counselors, all but 7 have been re-hired, though some have different titles. Initially, they were to be re-hired WITHOUT union benefits and fringies, but then that quickly changed. So, WHERE did this alleged $13 million+ budget shortfall (LIE) get closed? Draining pools at the middle schools? NO!! Forcing the JEA to open their contract? NOPE!! So, all of you Republicans that voted for D. Severson, Sodemann, Feldt, etc., and then supported them through this FARCE of a budget deficit, WHY aren't EACH of you DEMANDING to know what the REAL facts are?

If Pennington, Schulte, or Sodemann knew as much about budgets as they do about drama, we'd be in great shape.

It is interesting how we heard nothing but doom and gloom and watched the board scrutinize every item in the budget. Now, there's extra money in the budget. Funny how when push comes to shove, there is money to be found. Someone must have looked between a matress or in a coat pocket.

Say what!!??? All we have been hearing lately from the school board is how bad everything is, cut this, cut that. Now we have a surplus!??? What the heck is going on with the School Board? Layoff a bunch of teachers, hire them back with new titles, make the public fearful that their childrens school may be closed, hold a bunch of meetings scare everyone and now we have excess money?! Seriously? Dr.Schulte and Sodemann can you explain, no seriously you need to explain!

These people are absolutely worthless. The funniest thing is that health insurance costs are always over budgeted for in this school district, that is how the fund 10 balance was created. So IMO the surplus grows. ALSO, most of the teachers that recieved the "layoff notices" were recalled. So how did the board close the "so-called" 13 million dollar hole? Magic? Especially since the teachers DID NOT open their contracts? According to Schulte and Sodemann the only way was for the teachers to do just that! they have jumped in front of every TV camera possible for the last 2 months selling that lie, OVER and OVER!
I wish Bill Sodemann would get involved in politics and get out of education, he doesnt belong there. I also can tell you the OVERWHELMING majority of the teachers in the district if not all of them have nothing but disdain for "Dr" Schulte, she has no confidence from the teachers and no trust. This article proves the fact that these people are nothing more than political blowhards in our schools. Please if you wish to be politicians , do so, get out of our district. Getting tired of the same old same old from these folks. Janesville teachers are performing wonderfully as is evidenced by recent rises in test scores. So they are rewarded for their commitment to the kids in the community with scrutiny from these people who IMO have FAILED at their jobs? as is evidenced by all of the hyperbole that has floated around here for the last 6 months, and now we have a surplus? these people are in a word just ridiculous!

More teachers could be needed? Seriously?