These schools, not just Janesville have got to make cuts, at times big cuts. They can not keep operating in the same fashion as before. The economy sucks, declining in enrollment, means less $$$$. They have to make changes, or they will keep coming back for more and more $$$$.

I can't help but wonder if this issue is being overblown. If so, is that because Cullen is now running for state senator? Afterall, nobody else seems to be quoting the $3 million figure. Just curious here.

Hind sight truly always is 20/20. Why do we seem to have blinders on when the issues are fresh in the community dialogue? Or is it that we don't care enough to be pro-active at that time? Complaining after the fact may be easier. It is counter-productive to blame community-minded public servants, teachers and current staff for inherited problems. Those cows were let out of the barn a long time ago. Also, this kind of problem is not new in Janesville. Check on news articles dating back as far as 42 years ago. We in Janesville seem to have a severe case of selective public amnesia.

Joker, Bill wants the teachers and district staff to freeze their pay or to even take a pay cut. Sounds like the private sector, right? He also (in my opinion) wants to run the school board like a private company. The owner or the boss doesn't need to tell the lowely worker what is going on at the top. We'll never get the truth about any of the money, mistakes, IT scam, fund balance amounts, etc.etc., even though we, the taxpayers, deserve it.

Bill, spare us your weak defense of the board. You guys have no idea what happened. Just admit it. If you are so sure that the number is not that high, then what is it? Well, what is it? How about an educated guess?! We have every right to question this claim of gross overspending. May I suggest that someone from the board release the numbers? There is no need to wait until Tuesday. We are the taxpayers and we elect you. Put up or shut up!

I have always held Tim Cullen in high regard and always voted for him whatever the office. That has changed. He has clearly been asleep at the wheel regarding the building project and the retirement funding. Now he comes out with rightous indignation about cost overruns. Taxpayers have a right to rightous indignation with Tim.

Why is 3.6 million reported if it isn't even close? Who came up with this number? It seems like people are always debating on these blogs about the numbers in this account and that account. Why wouldn't the books be right on when dealing with the publics money? The public is always left to wonder what exactly is going on and never quite given the truth.

Please rememeber to learn about the the new school board candidates and to vote for them. I thank those that have volunteered on the current board, but it is time we had some new members. We've experienced enough mistakes, finger pointing, secrets, teacher bashing, etc. etc.

As I stated in an earlier blog, the number being reported (3.6 million) is NOT accurate (not even close!). Once again I ask that people refrain from making negative comments until the real numbers come in. You may be surprised! Read this article again more carefully and you might be enlightened.

Sincerely,
Bill Sodemann

I could see that it would be difficult to figure out what happened to $50.00 or even $100.00 - BUT were talking about three and a half million dollars of overspending. Incompetent wherever you look.

I think some people do not understand the difference between project spending and the project referendum. The fact that the project is over budget is not in violation of the referendum. Neverless, there is something wrong with this picture.
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There are two things troubling about this situation. First, the administration cannot give a quick and concise accounting of the overage. And second, the school board was not kept informed of the project's financial status. It looks really bad.
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The Superintendents link on the District's webpage states the "Janesville School District Budget Information click here (coming soon)". I saw that statement last week. I wonder how long coming soon is?

The board looks less competent every day. It would be nice if the board stopped trying to point the blame finger at others and start owning their poor decisions.
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That being said, I'm speechless that no one seems to know anything about how change orders work. Change orders have to be authorized by the district if they exceed design parameters and/or cost. If JP Cullen did not get approval for change orders, then they are on the hook (very unlikely). If a district official approved change orders, then it is valid. If the board did not approval change orders or did not have a policy in place that required they approve change orders, then they have no choice but to own that practice and deal with it.
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As for RetiredGM's comment, what are you talking about? The school district IS pay as you go. The issue here is that a big project went over budget at the detriment of other programming. That IS pay as you go... It's not like the district is taxing an additional fee to cover they tracks.

How can they not know what happened? How hard can it be to figure out?!

Just think how much power the school board has over the average taxpayer and yet even they can't prevent this kind expensive SNAFU.
It makes one wonder if we as taxpayers should give them that much power.