"Schulte said keeping budget projections under wraps helps avoid explaining why projections change over time, something she said is difficult to explain to the community."
Wow,
When you work for the public, in the public sector, explaining yourself to your employer comes with the job. This statement proves to me that she is someone that should not be in that position.

In my opionion, keeping the information under wraps until ready to present is a practical response. As soon as they do present the budget, everybody will be voicing their complaints. The news isn't going to be any different, nor any more appealing today than it will be later this month.

Since they can't change the opinion of those that complain the loudest, they might as well stay focused on what they can impact.

I'm tired of hearing "it's their fault", and listening to one side blame the other.
"It's because of the governor."
"It's because of the teachers."
"It's because the board agreed to a contract x years ago."
Quit the belly aching and move on. At least the board is trying to keep the administration less disracted.

Miss mary, Not sure if you meant my comments were a joke or the school district not releasing projections was the joke. As for running for school board, tried that route when I was young and stupid, absolutely no desire to enter the political arena anytime soon. Very proud of every election I was a part of, but my hometown,Janesville, made it very clear to me over 12 years ago, that representing them in an elected position is not something they want, nor I want to do.
I also made the choice a few years ago to send my youngest daughter to Beloit Memorial High School. Probablly the best decision I have made as a parent. Beloit not only is improving school buildings but during this time of economic darkness, they have not laid off teachers, the Beloit School Board and Adminstration have made it clear that they appreciate and support teachers and staff,they have expanded technology in the schools and also class offerings, and have made financial decisions based on the future. They consider both the impact decisions may have on taxpayers now and the benefits of investing in improvements, which benefits the taxpayers in the future. Test scores are also dramatically improving.
The Beloit Board of Education have made some very tough decisions and the district is stronger because of it. In my opinion, the Janesville School District has avoided the necessary actions to make the district stronger and refuses to focus on the impact their decisions have on taxpayers down the road but only the immediate benefit at the moment. There are options and choices the school board can make without dismantling public education, cutting positions, reducing class options and student opportunity. The Board needs to be proactive, acknowledge the assests the Janesville District has, be open minded and cooperative, and board members need to make tough gut wrenching choices that may be unpopular to their main policial support bases but are in the best interest for the future of the district.

Make no mistake milton17, the gap will not be small.

The Janesville School Board has found yet another way to disappoint the community.

Fedup...your nine o'clock wake up call ?

Why are they not releasing numbers... because they put blame on teachers by not opening their contract, now they know the gap isn't that big and they will look like fools because of how they treated their employees!! The teachers have filled up the Fund 10 Balance and still were scrutinized for not opening their contract, now even with out the concessions, their budget gap is not what they scared people into thinking and villanized the teachers even more!!

Is there a reason the Gazette has not made an open records request?

What a joke. jasondowd, please run for school board.....

Beloit passed a $70 million referendum in April that is funding all the renovations. They had the same mil rate as Janesville before the referendum. This will raise their taxes an average of $70. Nice to see a community that cares about the future.

http://mystateline.com/fulltext-news?nxd...

Budget projections should be available to the public at all stages, not to prevent those in power to look good from a public relations standpoint. Projections are just that, projections. Present honest numbers and the citizens will get it. Those choosing to lead and gain control of public activities don't have the privledge of keeping information from those who are paying the bills (taxpayers).
This stance is poor public relations. Elected officials need to understand that it is their responsibility to provide explanation for their actions and explain to the best of their abilities. Information shouldn't be kept under lock and key because it would make those in charge look bad or because it is difficult to provide explanation. That is what is wrong with government today.

Wow Yada - Seems not all schools are having the issues Janesville is having. Seems Beloit is actually building new and/or renovating almost all of their schools. Could it be Janesville School District just didn't plan ahead and stay within their means? At this point they should already know what their budget is going to be and only should have been waiting to enter the amount the state was going to fund, which was more than last year. If a business wouldn't operate this way, then why do government/publicly funded agencies think this is a good practice? If you don't like Wisconsin, you can always move to the ever so popular Illinois! I hear they don't have any budget issues to speak of! Enter Slight Laughter Here!

So the board doesn't think they will come under fire for this stance?

ACT 10!

Yada....get some new information. Find some that have been written since Walker WON for the second time.

Why don't you start researching to see if Michell Mahlon will be charged with felonies for illegal political fundraising (like two Walker aides). The good result that could come from that revelation...he gets the same treatment as they did, or all charges to the Walker aides get dropped.

yada, are those the only lefty biased sites you could find?

Transparency.....not so much.

"Superintendent Karen Schulte said her administration has followed orders from the board in keeping budget projections secret."

I can't wait to see the surprise they have waiting for the taxpayers!

Scott Walker has destroyed education in WI for all schools, but the FBI John Doe investigation continues...hope is on the way.

http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/press/sco...

http://www.madisonteachers.org/2012/05/1...

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?tit...

http://crooksandliars.com/kenneth-quinne...

Not a good reason.