School closing discussed, but decision left up to Janesville School Board
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Rebecca LaCount's eyes well up with tears while listening to residents tell their reasons for keeping Kennedy, Harrison and Jefferson schools open during a public hearing.
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Janesville School Superintendent Karen Schulte and Janesville School Board members listen to input from area residents during a public hearing.
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Mary Ellen Waite tells school board members that she is the guardian of her granddaughter, a third grader at Kennedy Elementary, where she would like her to be able to continue to go to school, during a public hearing about possible school closures.
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DuWayne Severson
JANESVILLE — No one spoke in favor of closing a Janesville school at a public hearing Tuesday.
About 20 adults and a few children showed up for the first in a series of three hearings this month on the issue.
Fourteen people spoke, all with reasons for keeping all the elementary schools open.
When asked by school board member DuWayne Severson whether they’d be willing to pay higher taxes to keep a school open, the answer was yes.
“To me, these taxes are pretty low compared to New Jersey, where I come from,” said Mary Ellen Waite, who sends her granddaughter to Kennedy School.
Severson said he could easily find other district residents who would oppose any tax increase.
Four members of the school board met as a committee after the hearing. The finance/buildings and grounds committee voted to send the issue to the full board with no recommendation.
Committee Chairman Greg Ardrey said the board would likely make its decision at its Sept. 27 meeting. Two more public hearings are planned before then, on Sept. 15 and 22. No time or place has been set.
Severson pointed out that the board is wrestling with how to solve a $9 million deficit projected for next year’s district budget.
“I know it affects kids. I know it affects parents. I get all that,” Severson said. “But if I don’t cut $1 million here, then I have to cut somebody else’s program. How do I respond to them?”
Taxing to the maximum allowed by law would be a tax increase of about 7.5 percent and yield about $2.5 million, officials have said.
The savings from closing Harrison, Kennedy or Jefferson school is estimated at between $1 million and $700,000, although officials admit those savings could erode as unforeseen costs become known.
In addition to parents and a few others who commented at Tuesday’s hearing, the board also heard Superintendent Karen Schulte’s opinion: “I think we need to look at finding other ways to find the money, and it will be difficult, but I do not support closing a school.”
Severson suggested that the board could cut 150 or more teachers out of next year’s budget to make ends meet. He bemoaned the fact that the teachers union has refused to reopen its contract and make concessions to save the district money.
Severson said he wasn’t sure which way he would vote on closing a school.
Ardrey and committee members Peter D. Severson and Karl Dommershausen said they wanted to wait for the full board to act.
Ardrey said he disagrees with parents who say their children will lose out on a quality education if they are moved to another school.
Children with caring parents and quality school staff will perform well no matter where they are, Ardrey said, and it’s inappropriate to suggest that the teachers at other schools would not be as good as the ones at the closed school.
The district’s boundary lines committee has studied the issue for months. The committee voted 5-0 two weeks ago, with one abstention, to recommend that no school be closed.
Boundary lines committee member Mary Spielmann said the committee focused on the taxpayer in its recommendation. She said keeping all schools open would attract new people and businesses to town.
“We looked at everything, upside down and inside out, and we cannot justify closing a school,” Spielmann said.
OVERHEARD AT THE PUBLIC HEARING
Here are some comments from a public hearing Monday night at the Educational Services Center on the question of whether to close a Janesville elementary school:
-- “If the answer isn’t obvious, then the decision to close any school seems risky.” —Suzanne Gilliom, who sends her children from the Milton School District to Jefferson School in Janesville.
-- “It hurts that this is happening here. It really does.” —Harrison School parent Ginger Meinders, who was one of two speakers who choked up with emotion.
-- “Realistically, you close Kennedy, we go to Milton, or we try to find a way to go to the private school.” —Parent Nichole Hinkel
--“We already pay quite a bit for taxes. However, for my kids’ education, I would pay the limit. I don’t think we pay enough for our kids’ education.” —Rebecca LaCount, who sends her youngest child to Kennedy School.
--“Do whatever you have to do. Just please, please, please keep us going.” —Harrison parent Erika Schultz, who said the board should raise taxes even though “it’s not going to be popular.”
--“Kids need to be put first, not the money.” —Kennedy parent Mary Ellen Waite
--“I would be really upset if my child’s school were turned into offices (as has been suggested). I think a lot of people would be upset.” —Kennedy School parent Kelley Marotta
--“Janesville needs a long-term vision. It’s rotten right now as far as the state of the economy, but the Janesville School District is the bright spot.” —Roosevelt School parent Ann Roe
--“I’d sure hate to see this town go backwards.” —grandparent Joe Eichert
Sep 10, 2011 at 7:43 p.m.
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Ezoner-I agree, many people weren't at that meeting because they were indeed working..which I would have to assume is one of the reasons why the school district chose to have the meeting at 5:00. I have 2 jobs, yet I managed to make it to the meeting to voice my concerns about the possibility of the schools closing. I have a child who attends Kennedy, and it's an awesome school, but that's only part of the reason why I want the school to remain open. I don't think enough people have thought about what will happen to our property values if there isn't an elementary school in the area. Kennedy is the reason we bought where we did. Who's going to want to buy a home when the for sale informantion sheet lists ????/marshall/craig for the area schools?
Sep 9, 2011 at 10:23 a.m.
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I was at that meeting and if people in this city are so concerned about their taxes being raised for education than THEY need to speak up! The only people who took the time to attend and speak up were all for keeping the schools open. For the record, I have NO kids, or relatives in the Janesville schools and am a taxpayer here. I will gladly pay more taxes for the kids in my neighborhood to receive a good education.
Sep 8, 2011 at 4:34 p.m.
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Severson is an id__iot, let's keep cutting teachers or at least threaten to cut them. How many were recalled and how many positions are currently open in Janesville. If you keep cutting teachers who is going to end up teaching students? The Janitors? Oh wait they cut most of them to.
Sep 8, 2011 at 3:45 p.m.
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Oh yeah, right, Ezoner. They spend twelve hours a day on this site and can't find one hour to attend a meeting?
Sep 8, 2011 at 3:04 p.m.
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poobah -- they were probably not at the meeting because they were working.
Raising taxes is not an option. The problem is not an income issue , its a spending issue. I have seen districts that spend 60% less per student and show grades significantly better on standardized tests than the southern wi or northern il school systems show.
Sep 8, 2011 at 2:55 p.m.
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My apologies for incorrectly attributing that quote to you, dkush21.
Sep 8, 2011 at 2:45 p.m.
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poohbah: I am not the one who said 21% of Americans believe in evolution. I was stating what crunch-munch posted.
Sep 8, 2011 at 1:26 p.m.
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Please, raise my property taxes if it means keeping schools and teachers. I would pay more than the $56 per year.
Sep 8, 2011 at 11:15 a.m.
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You won't think Murray is so great when he squanders the cash on hand, then wants to borrow for regular operations leaving the school district unable to move fiscally. Have fun with that...yay! Yeah, our schools will be in a better spot then.
Sep 8, 2011 at 11:07 a.m.
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dkush21 said, "21% of Americans believe in evolution."
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Well, if I were to believe your number, then at least 21% of Americans are not delusional! But I don't believe your number, which you probably got off from the back of a contribution envelope from Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann or Rick Santorum.
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Actually, 54% of Americans believe in evolution. 16% believe humans evolved without "God's" involvement, 38% believe humans evolved with "God's" involvement. Just 40% believe that "God" created humans in their present form.
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http://www.gallup.com/poll/145286/Four-A...
Sep 8, 2011 at 10:28 a.m.
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I wonder where all the tax and spend, wealth redistribution (poor to rich), conservatives were? Not one of them showed up to support closing all of the elementary schools? Think of the savings! Iriss? wislady? gmaof3? donnaw? libertybelle? Even though half of you don't live in Janesville, that's never stopped you from commenting on Janesville matters before. Where were you?
Sep 8, 2011 at 8:38 a.m.
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When the discussion imediately devolves into evolution, "religious crap," and Fox news, you know you're on the winning side of the argument.
Sep 8, 2011 at 8:27 a.m.
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FoxNews isn't news. You erode the basis of your opinion by using anything from that satirical network.
Sep 8, 2011 at 8:03 a.m.
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Remember the violent and disgusting demonstrations over Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker doing away with the collective bargaining for teacher ' s unions? The results are in. Some school districts went from a $400,000 deficit to a $1,500,000 surplus as a result. Why? It seems that the insurance company that provided all the "so-called" benefits to the teachers, was an insurance company owned and operated by the teacher ' s union. Since they were guaranteed to get the insurance business from the teachers and the State had to pay for it, and not the teachers, they were increasing the annual costs every single year to become the most expensive insurance company in the state.
Then the insurance company was donating millions and millions of dollars to their favorite democrat politicians, who when they got elected, guaranteed to keep funding the unions outrageous costs. In other words, the insurance company was a "pass through" for Wisconsin taxpayer money directly to the democrat politicians.
Nice racket, and this is the racket that is going on in every single State that allows collective bargaining. No wonder the States are taking it away. Now that the State of Wisconsin is free to put the insurance contract out for bid, and lo and behold, they have saved so much money it has turned deficits into surplus amounts. As a result, none of the teachers had to be laid off, everyone got a raise, etc., etc., and the taxpayers of Wisconsin don ' t have to pay more taxes to fund the union ' s political ambitions
Sep 7, 2011 at 9:40 p.m.
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jv - i guess you'll cringe when he's Board president next year then, huh? It seems I view Sodemann the same as you view Murray. I wonder which one would have our schools in a better state of affairs.
Sep 7, 2011 at 9 p.m.
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Shermd, Sodemann likely does not make the kind of money you think he does. It is a small business. The margins are not that great. He probably makes a living and that's about it. Severson is one of 75 or so VP's at Mercy so his job is not that vaulted. Six figures? I doubt it. And the only one on the board who appears to have ambitions for higher office (Kevin Murray) is the one advocates the most incompetent paths for the school district yet. I've said time and again he is downright dangerous and I would not let him manage the office super bowl pool.
Sep 7, 2011 at 8:22 p.m.
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Didn't DuWayne Severson home school his children? And if he did, what are his interests in the Janesville School District? It appears as though he believes education is not worth what we pay in taxes; he is always for cutting more and not raising taxes. Is this right or what am I missing here? I am sad that he was elected for our school board. We need people who believe in the importance of education representing Janesville. We need leaders who can show the community that investing in education is worth it!
I agree with Dr. Schulte and the 5-0 Boundary Lines Committee vote that Janesville is not ready to close an elementary school; our enrollment has not changed enough to warrant this action.
Janesville residents- We have a wonderful school district to be proud of. Education is vital to our community. I know times are tough, but our schools are worth the $56 tax increase. If you don't believe this, please go visit your nearest public school, we will show you!
Sep 7, 2011 at 8:19 p.m.
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We need to impose a 100% income tax to support the school district and it's employees, period.
Sep 7, 2011 at 7:25 p.m.
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So let me get this straight...
Everyone who took the time to show up asked to have their taxes raised!!!! Let's not hear the chant "No one wants to raise taxes!" ever again. It is obvious these people value education.
Sep 7, 2011 at 7:23 p.m.
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i_luv_jvl
They had to build that wall as they were in violation of city noise ordinances without it. I would argue they should go after whomever designed that cooling system that makes the noise, but they had to build it. Their only other option was to fight it and loose in court then have to pay the $125,000 AND legal fees of both sides. I coach outside Craig every day and it is dramatically quiter with the wall.
So I disagree with your premise, but why don't we hold more of our contractors accountable? The "bowl" behind Craig had 1 foot holes all over it after it was redone, why pay to have it fixed ourself instead of going after the person who did the work the first time?
Sep 7, 2011 at 7:15 p.m.
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crunch_munch:
21% of Americans believe in evolution. I guess your the minority. Sorry, religion is not crap. The majority of people in the US believe in religion. "the theory of evolution has been around for over 150 years". How long has religion been around??? I do believe, though, that the THEORY of evolution be taught. I learned about it and I was still able to make my own decision on the matter.
Sep 7, 2011 at 6:56 p.m.
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Severson,
Typical response from you, "He bemoaned the fact that the teachers union has refused to reopen its contract and make concessions to save the district money.
Severson said he wasn’t sure which way he would vote on closing a school."
Shift the blame on the teachers and don't give a definite opinion. Funny how obvious it is that you will do anything to save a buck but decided not to tell the group of mothers in the room your real stance on the issue. Scared you weren't going to make it out alive? Or was it that your bff billy wasn't there to support you? Resign, your arrogance and ignorance is annoying.
Sep 7, 2011 at 6:17 p.m.
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Sorry crunch, I must have slept through the block on Christianity in science class. What grade did they teach it again?
Sep 7, 2011 at 4:59 p.m.
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With little more than a blink of an eye the School Board approved a sound barrier wall behind Craig last year at a cost of $125,000 while trying to manage major deficits. When will they learn to prioritize responsibly?
Sep 7, 2011 at 4:58 p.m.
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Crunchmunch,
What is being taught in our schools? Maybe you should volunteer at one of the schools in Janesville. Then you can be a critic. But I am sure it's easier to pass judgments and sit on the sideline and judge others versus seeing for yourself. Shame on you for insinuating that schools are NOT teaching evolution!! How about the propaganda GARBAGE that is Fox News and the fact that you would get ANY REAL NEWS from that network!! Wow, sure does NOT speak well about your sources for information!!
Sep 7, 2011 at 4:54 p.m.
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With people like DuWayne Severson, Bill Sodemann, and others making the kind of money they make (Severson is the VP of Mercy Hospital and Sodemann owns Phones Plus), do ANY of you truly believe that they understand what is REALLY happening with the SDJ? Each person is making AT LEAST a 6-figure income. To have these kinds of people represent the TAXPAYERS of Janesville is absurd!! They are only anti-tax increase to get re-elected to the school board or using their school board positions to further their public office career aspirations! Please ask the question.........what is the vision for the SDJ and its school board? Answer, THEY HAVE NONE!! The board is so dysfunctional (and hav been for years) that they micromanage or attempt to control EVERY aspect now, but they have NO PLAN for the future!! Cut, cut, cut!! When EVERY economist says to grow local, state, and national economies, there needs to be a combination of cuts AND tax increases!! These "representatives" missed 50% of the memo, I think. Maybe some QUALIFIED people need to run for school board and help lead SDJ back to prominence!! I just CAN'T believe that Mercy and Phones Plus are ALWAYS cutting and NOT raising revenues!! Hmmm.
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