Janesville School Board moves to cut school
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Kristin Hesselbacher
JANESVILLE — The Janesville School Board appears united in the belief that one of the city’s elementary schools should be closed, with the students and staff distributed among the remaining 11 schools.
The board on Wednesday night voted 8-0 for a tentative timeline to make it happen.
The school that is chosen would no longer be used as an elementary school starting in September 2012, but it would in all likelihood be used for other purposes—possibly housing one or more charter schools, which are now in leased buildings.
No schools were mentioned. A committee of residents headed by school board member Greg Ardrey has been looking at the issue, and it will start meeting weekly in May with a goal of making a preliminary evaluation of all 12 schools by July 1.
The evaluations would be based on a long list of criteria that includes costs for maintenance and transportation, the schools’ capacities, suitability for reuse, the number of students who walk to school and the effect on the neighborhood.
Ardrey said he wanted his committee to make its decisions based on the information about each criterion, not on personal preferences.
The timeline calls for the committee and board to gather community opinions in July. The committee by Aug. 15 would recommend up to three schools for analysis of how the students would be distributed to other schools.
The committee would make a preliminary recommendation by Sept. 1, and hold hearings to gather opinions during September. A final recommendation would go to the school board for a decision in October.
Most board members seemed focused on elementary schools, but Karl Dommershausen suggested keeping all 12 elementary schools and moving the sixth grade from the middle schools to the elementaries.
Dommershausen suggested then closing one of the middle schools and using it for two charter schools as well as the district’s central office. The Educational Services Center could be sold, Dommershausen said, mentioning that there’s been interest from a potential buyer.
Superintendent Karen Schulte said after the meeting that the city has considered the ESC as a site for its new fire station. Schulte has told the city she is willing to discuss it.
Steve Sperry, director of human resources, said two middle schools, even with just grades seven and eight, would be near capacity, which raises the question of what would happen if growth occurs.
Board member Kristen Hesselbacher urged the board to “make sure this is a decision that Janesville, not just the school district, but Janesville, will live with for years to come.”
Apr 23, 2011 at 5:06 p.m.
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sunfire-I just happen to have the world's smallest violin, want to hear it?
Apr 22, 2011 at 12:07 p.m.
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Apparently 2 new middle schools should have been built on taxpayer money, hey doc0430? A new Marshall was built, but it appears the non-closing of Edison in 1981 SAVED you all a lot of your taxpayer money, hey? Thought so!!
Apr 22, 2011 at 12:05 p.m.
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And I thought Janesville teachers were SOOOO overpaid? Why would they threaten to leave doc0430? I will answer that one. THEY NEVER DID!! Lies!!
Apr 22, 2011 at 12:04 p.m.
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Oh doc0430, that may be true about a "new" Marshall in 1996, but I have lived here for 30+ years, and NOT ONCE has the union EVER been able to leave for better pay? Are you Glenn Beck or John Kyl in disguise with your 100% FABRICATED lies? How was that EVER going to occur? When did ANY teacher in Janesville threaten to leave without the BIG raises that NEVER occurred? Did they strike? NOPE!! Illegal! Did they BUY OFF the board? NOPE? That's for the Koch brothers and ALL of their SHEEP followers (of which you are apparently one!). So, in what bizarro world did this LIE allegedly occur? Right, it NEVER did!! Boy, do you conservatives sit up at night and think these blatant, unfounded lies up on your own?
Apr 21, 2011 at 11:10 p.m.
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I am so tired of hearing how greedy the teachers are. The school board are the ones who approves pay raises etc. Your anger needs to be directed at the correct people. Have you ever spent 7 hours a day 5 days a week in a first grade classroom with over 20 students? With a great deal of them needing extra attention. Many due to the fact they get no guidance at home. Parents who don't take the time to let their child read to them etc. It is amazing kids learn anything with teachers taking care of all the emotional needs of these children. Then the teachers have to improve the learning skills of these students who again have nobody at home who spends time with them reinforcing these skills. Very few of you complainers could handle a day as a teacher without losing it. Just volunteer for a field trip you'll come back with a better understanding of the patients and compation these teaches have for your children.
Apr 21, 2011 at 9:12 p.m.
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At this point I dont care what school is closed, they are all so close to each other within a 15 minute drive between each. I guess now it is time for all the parents who have complained that their child is being deprived of an education, to drive them to a different school to get that education. When is everybody going to realize that there are staff members that must be released. I am not saying that they are not good teachers, just not needed teachers. Wake up and realize that things must change!
Apr 21, 2011 at 7:39 p.m.
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shermd71, I will just take a moment to remind you here that even though Edison did NOT close 30 years ago Janesville still managed to build a new Middle School, IE: see Marshall. Moved from Main St to Pontiac Dr. and the teachers told the board back when contracts were being negotiated that if they didn't get those raises they would be leaving the d9strict to make more money because those jobs were out there. So I guess now they are free to go and play in greener pastures..... Too bad we didn't call their bluff then, but the teachers union rep has such a great poker face I guess.......
Apr 21, 2011 at 5:44 p.m.
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I believe our school board will evaluate all information and make a good decision. I have a school in mind myself to close, however, my opinion is not based on all the information and should not count. As a parent of a senior, I count on the counselors alot to do some of the footwork for college information for my child and myself. With three more kids coming through high school soon I support keeping a full staff at high school and I am willing to pay more in school tax. I do believe in cutting some of our municipal services, other than schools.
Apr 21, 2011 at 5:01 p.m.
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Close a middle school? Didn't we play this tune 30 years ago? Yes, Edison Middle School was all set to be closed in 1981 due to declining enrollment. And 30 years later, how would that have worked for you taxpayers that DON'T want to pay more in taxes, COMPLAIN about referendums for schools (closing Edison would have resulted in building a NEW middle school. Good thing cooler heads prevailed!!). How embarrassing to be a product of the Janesville School District when THIS is what we are talking about doing to the school district!! Close schools? Cut 125 staff this year and HOW MANY MORE next year because NONE of you WANT to pay more taxes for our children to be educated!! And yet, it's the TEACHER'S fault, right!! Those greedy teachers that TOOK (didn't negotiate!) a 4-year contract WITH pay raises that the board and administration AGREED TO!! WOW!! Who should shoulder the blame? I know, those greedy teachers!! Fire them all, right!! Uh huh. NOT the board, NOT the administration, NOT the Governor!! Just the JEA!! As Mr. Hand said in Fast Times At Ridgemont High said, "What are you people, on dope!!" Because your hatred and blame of the JEA is laughable!! Now, they should all give back their raises that were negotiated in good faith and AGREED upon by the board!! I just don't get the apathy for having educated children!!
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