Kinda like this? Which is part of the new contract.
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"If the district takes a premium holiday—when it does not pay into its self-funded health plan because claims are lower than projected—employees enjoy a premium- contribution holiday."

I see comments regarding the excess in the healthcare fund and how money is being taken out of it to support other activities.
My question is, is there a healthcare fund for excess monies? If there is, then that money should be protected from use for any other activities as it is part of the teachers total compensation package.
If the fund is just a rainy day fund then the discussion should be on the cap of the fund as a percentage of healthcare cost. When the cap is reached then a healthcare holiday should be in place so the teachers salary would go up temporarily.

Think happy thoughts.

Billnewbie- when you use the "you" right after my post you are talking to me. By the way, you used it 5 times. Don't cover yourself by saying it was directed to all teachers. If you want to debate then take me on for my opinions. You just want to ridicule teachers from Janesville and those who agree with them.

It's called spellchecker, and I didn't learn that in school.

It is what it is and what is done is done. Save your "arguments" for the next negotiations.

I am very sad that the teachers are unhappy with their new contract. As an educated professional who received an excellent review this year, I am only receiving a 2.5% raise this year due to the tough economic climate at hand. I was happy to receive that in light of the recession talk. In addition, my insurance co-pay went up 20% and my deductible went from $400 to $500!! I don't think this is rare. I'd love to have the kind of benefits that teachers bemoan.
I am a big believer in education. However, I am also a big believer in fiscal responsibility and fairness to all. As a taxpayer, I don't LOVE the contract, either. But, it is said that a good negotiation is complete when neither side is happy. Sounds like what we have here in Janesville.

Misunderstood- I've posted this comment several times and never received a reply from anyone so I'll try it one more time...
If there is a concern that the insurance fund is being mismanaged, has there been a complain filed with the state insurance oversight board? I beleive that would be the authority to report mismanagement issues to in cases of self insured plans. I believe that all taxpayers would like to know if their tax dollars are being mismanaged.

I just wanted to point out that it's possible billnewbie's spelling education is a direct result of a community NOT supporting their teachers. Come to the DEFENSE of that.

I don't care who you work for and if your not one of the teachers who work here I wasn't talking to you. You spoke in their defence and I countered. If you don't like being in the firing line, keep out of the way. It's just a debate, not an assault.

Billnewbie- You are missing the point. The School District of Janesville or the taxpayers (which I am) don't owe me anything. I don't work for them. So who am I demanding respect and support from? Don't assume that because I write in support of the teachers that I teach in Janesville.

As I said, arrogance. You complain that a good community is more than how little the taxes are. You may as well have said "Let them eat cake". You have much is common with that elite, insensitive woman who's main concern was getting what she thought she was owed. But, unlike her, your insensitive arrogance will not earn you a trip to the guillotine, neither will it earn you the respect and support you demand.

billnewbie wrote: "I have read the teachers argument that they have to put their families' welfare first. What arrogance, to claim the welfare of their families should be favored above taxpayers' families, as if the taxpayers' concerns are unworthy of consideration."

I would expect that any person, no matter what their profession, would put the welfare of their family above all else. Taxpayer's concerns are worthy of consideration. That is why we, as taxpayers, elect school board members look out for our concerns. Unfortunately, this school board is looking out for the concerns of the taxpayers at the expense of losing quality teachers. We are forgetting that what helps make a good community is not how little your property tax bill is. One major component is quality schools. To have quality schools you need to have quality teachers.

Strangely, the Gazette staff has removed my earlier comment, which included a link to pertinent district fund balance information.... hmmm... probably received a call from our superintendent... so I'm reposting it!
THIS is the reason we are reluctant to pay more premiums into our health insurance fund. We bargain the premium cost each year into our raises (which we've willingly kept low, because of raising health care costs). The district has pocketed MILLIONS in excess from our health care fund, and then they turn around and tell us we should pay more?
They tell us we have to make $2 million in cuts last year, and then turn around and give $1.5 million in excess back to the taxpayers? How about the new 4 yr old Kindergarten at a cost of 1.5 mil a year... oh, and oops... we should have asked for an administrator this year to plan for it... can we have $114K more for that? (And they get it.) This is largely out of OUR health insurance surplus, and they have the nerve to ask us to pay MORE into their pot?
Go to http://www.supportjea.com/index_files/im...

I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall. Why can't people understand that our PAID FOR insurance premiums ARE part of our bargained for salary package? We give up salary raises to keep good insurance. It is an insurance we pay for, through bargaining, which has most recently meant accepting next to no raise whatsoever in order to keep the insurance. We understand that health costs have been increasing, which is why we've accepted disgraceful pay raises and budget cuts without major opposition. The problem is that the district keeps claiming increased costs and cutting our staff and/or student programs while the fund balance (which we can access through our own public right to this information) keeps growing, largely as a result of our surplus insurance funds. How the heck can they tell us we should be paying even MORE when they have enormous surplus year after year? Why do our public not hear that when we tell them over and over again? Why does this district keep taking from the teachers (and many times the students too, in the form of elective options and extra-curriculars) so that they can fund their pet projects like 4 yr-old Kindergarten, charter schools, etc.? We should ALL be angry with the way they are handling our money, and I'm tired of them looking at MY salary and benefits as an avenue to find funding to add to their plentiful $25 million plus Fund 10 balance!
I've always loved teaching. I love children! I used to love teaching here. Now, I'm SO angry I can hardly stand to even go to work each day.
I read today's paper, and though it was probably the best article written this year in terms of being objective, I just don't know how this district will EVER earn my trust. They've lied much too much.

billnewbie: No, it is not "nonsense". Our tax dollars, yes, I pay taxes also, fund the compensation package for teachers. The teacher package is obviously negotiated. The JSD has been charging teachers $1300+ per month for family insurance coverage. This money does, in fact, come out of our total compensation package, and the JEA view remains that the JSD profits from over-budgeting for our health care. If the JEA received free insurance, then our paychecks would be now $1400 richer, we'd have no co-pays, deductibles, premiums, nothing.

Nina,

My understanding is;
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JEA members pay 20% of doctor visits.(No cap)
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Surgery is paid at 100%.(No Co-pay)

I have read the argument brought forth by teachers that the school district "pockets" money that teachers think is rightfully theirs. What nonsense. That surplus teachers covet was withdrawn from taxpayer’s pockets. While teachers acknowledge that taxpayer’s pockets are not infinitely stocked with spare money, they argue for their position as if there is no resistance to higher taxes and that even if there is, teacher’s expectations for better compensation should take precedence over the narrow, selfish concerns of those taxpayers. I have read the teachers argument that they have to put their families' welfare first. What arrogance, to claim the welfare of their families should be favored above taxpayers' families, as if the taxpayers' concerns are unworthy of consideration.

wisconsinheat: I am unaware of what the cap is for surgical expenses for teachers. Do you happen to know what it is? From everything I have heard, seen, found as a teacher myself, I don't see any maximum amount listed. If there is one, and you (or anyone else who may know the ins and outs of the teacher insurance plan) can find out for me, I would greatly appreciate it - thanks!

giveahoot - you stated: "There are plenty of great teachers in Janesville. They didn't resort to turning to the students for support, those great teachers showed up and taught with their heads held high knowing that many of the taxpayers who pay their wages are getting less than they would like too. They weren't grousing and complaining about not being paid enough re$pect. I would rather have a teacher instead of simply a union member teaching my kids anyday."

I'm not sure what you are saying here, and I may have missed something, but who do you think is in the union? Teachers are the union and yes, we are all saying that we do not get respect. Yes, the teachers did go in and teach with their heads held high. That is our job!

And actually, the county co-pay has been 75-25 for years.

Question to "myself"...How much do county employees pay in premiums per month?
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skinnypuppy wrote "From what I understand, county employees have an 80/20 copay but it has a cap of about $1200 on that copay. A friend of mine whose father is in the insurance field said it's crazy to NOT have a cap on how much you must pay out of pocket in that 20% copay; he said MOST people do have an annual maximum amount that they must pay.
This is NOT true for the teachers. Teachers will now pay premiums, in addition to the deductible, and 20% with NO cap on it."
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I believe you are misstating the true nature of co-pays. Comparing the county co-pay to the teacher co-pay is apples to oranges.
My understanding is that the teachers co-pay is unlimited as it pertains to doctor visits but there is NOT an unlimited co-pay when it comes to surgical and other procedures. Only a deductable.
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County employees also have an unlimited co-pay when it comes to doctor office visits.
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Their out of pocket maximums apply to to surgical and othe procedures.
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Therefore, with the exception pf premium co-pay, the county policy is worse.

How does this end up being the general publics' fault? The teachers voted to ratify THEIR contract not the tax payers ! Maybe moco428 could explain his comment.GO JANESVILLE TEACHERS !!

has anyone discussed how much they have in reserve for a rainy day....or that their salary (they big wigs at the main office including Evert) have nothing to worry about.....as I have heard he gets a bonus/raise everytime a contract is settled/new year. I heard once about a SUperintendent that didn't take a raise since the school district pay was frozen for the year...you think Evert would do that...I highly doubt it must be tough making more then $100,000

aj and misunderstood have hit the old nail on the head. Nuff said!

Has the Gazette figured out their big and bold typo on the front page yet?

What is a wannabee union thug? Is this comment to mean that to be active in a union that is fighting for the welfare of its members and its members families is Jimmy Hoffa ganster like? Am I going to see posted next that unions are a mass communist conspiracy? What is this, the 1950s?

THIS is the reason we are reluctant to pay more premiums into our health insurance fund. We bargain the premium cost each year into our raises (which we've willingly kept low, because of raising health care costs). The district has pocketed MILLIONS in excess from our health care fund, and then they turn around and tell us we should pay more?
They tell us we have to make $2 million in cuts last year, and then turn around and give $1.5 million in excess back to the taxpayers? How about the new 4 yr old Kindergarten at a cost of 1.5 mil a year... oh, and oops... we should have asked for an administrator this year to plan for it... can we have $114K more for that? (And they get it.) This is largely out of OUR health insurance surplus, and they have the nerve to ask us to pay MORE into their pot?
Go to http://www.supportjea.com/index_files/im...

When people say that Janesville doesn't hold teachers in high enough esteem they are missing the mark. It's the union that people have the probelm with.

These people conduct themselves like union activists and yet they want be viewed with the respect due an educator while conducting themselves like either spoiled brats or wannabe union thugs.

I think of the WEAC definition of great schools that translates into more money for union members. Great schools should mean so much more than union support or more money, but not according to the propaganda that we get thrown at us.

There are plenty of great teachers in Janesville. They didn't resort to turning to the students for support, those great teachers showed up and taught with their heads held high knowing that many of the taxpayers who pay their wages are getting less than they would like too. They weren't grousing and complaining about not being paid enough re$pect.

I would rather have a teacher instead of simply a union member teaching my kids anyday.

ilovehockey - Instead of taking out your frustrations on people who attempted to get a fair contract (well within our rights) why don't you get ticked about the fact that the school district is essentially taking your tax dollars (the money that is not being used for our healthcare - 30 million accumulated to date) and using it for whatever they want! The part the general public never got was - the school district didn't need our money! In fact, they have extra every year. They are giving us enough money in salary to make up for our premiums! Why would they do that? (By the way, I know the answer to that question.) You can't compare that to others who pay premiums. Of course we would have had to pay premiums sometime in the future. We knew that. But we didn't need to yet.
PS - Thank you to all of you who've written such supportive comments in this article.

Ilovehockey, until you fully understand really what the teacher's pay in insurance costs currently, not with the fact now there is a monthly premium, please keep your nonsense comments to yourself, as you have demonstrated you are completely clueless!

I'm not against education, but I am against educators who feel that because they are teachers, they should get better benefits. An average health insurance policy offering has a minimum deductible amount of $500 with a coinsurance amount. And how many of you out there don't have to pay an office visit copay every time you walk through the door. The days of having a low deductible and 100% coinsurance are coming to a swift end. And then, to complain because you have to pay $115, at the most per month for these premimum benefits is just arrogant. How many Janesville residents out there do you think got a guaranteed 3.5% raise? If Janesville teachers want the support of the Janesville residents during the next negotiation, you might want to show some gratitude for what you do have instead of complaining that it isnt good enough for you.

From what I understand, county employees have an 80/20 copay but it has a cap of about $1200 on that copay. A friend of mine whose father is in the insurance field said it's crazy to NOT have a cap on how much you must pay out of pocket in that 20% copay; he said MOST people do have an annual maximum amount that they must pay. This is NOT true for the teachers. Teachers will now pay premiums, in addition to the deductible, and 20% with NO cap on it.

I think plenty of the residents of Janesville think that the teachers got a good deal. but what it comes down to is that nobody is looking at the contract as a whole. yes they got a small raise but they now have to pay in for insurance (which I am sure the amount they have to pay in will go up the next time they negotiate...just like athletic fees)

so now they are down to one inservice day a month but they have to do professional hours to make up that inservice day they so nicely took away. so when you look at the big picture they didn't get anything just a new contract on paper and a a membership that is very confused with a union and scholboard that needs to work on communication...for example how they called for a press conference about the contract at 7:30 when the members found out the details of the contract at 7:15...7:20 (On a school day...which means many of them were too busy teaching to read what was ebing told to the media) snow makup days were announced thru the media 3 times before settled on...never once was the dates put past the teachers as choose an option and which ever option has the most votesis the dates we will go with....needless to say I feel the union/school board/superintendent Evert/and others involved need to start working together now before it gets even worse next negotiation cycle.

I completely agree with MOC0428, but I also agree with Hockeyjockey.
Nobody here needs a lesson on hard Janesvillians are being hit with the downturn in the economy. We all know and have experienced it on some level. I think that the teachers realize it, too.

The real issue I take with the situation, is that there was such a LACK of community support for our teachers. This goes way beyond monetary gain. I have many friends that are new to the Janesville area, and their main question to me is: Why is Janesville so against education? How embarrassing is this? Our community should be ashamed of the way our teachers have been treated. Unless people begin to realize that above all else, ensuring the proper education of our children is the lifeline of any successful community, in the future we are going to have to face some seriously detramental consequences.

I've lived here my entire life. I have gone through three public schools, and am extremely thankful for the amazing teachers I had. I now have a son in kindergarten, and am in awe of his amazing teacher. I am ashamed to look her in the eyes now, as should be the rest of the community. We've slapped this community's most important asset in the face with either our complacency or our ignorance.

Janesville Gazette headlines...Contact ratified!..send in the teachers!!

I think the teachers should be happy with what they got. County employees only recieved 2.5% for 2007, 2.5% for 2008 and 2.75% for 2009.

howardzinnfan: Had the public stood behind the teachers a bit more then maybe the outcome would have been different. I guess my point is that most teachers probably felt that much of the public was against them and that no matter how much they faught it wouldn't matter. Maybe Janesville will elect better school board officials in the future!

Thank you to the 59% of Janesville teachers that gave increasing power to school boards all over the state of Wisconsin. You have also crippled the ability for teacher unions across the state to stand up against unfair negotiating tactics by school boards. The public can sure be proud that their teachers in Janesville were "dragged kicking and screaming" to an unfair demand by the school board.

thanks for the suggestion! but dont worry, the new scholarships will help fill reserves of teachers lined up to teach here.

It's not a bad deal and the majority of teachers accepted it so I hope they can move forward.

We got the notice that increases are "suspended" after raising our insurance premiums. A 3.5% increase looks like a great deal from where I sit.

fullplate, you need to know that out here in the private sector, NOBODY is getting a raise that keeps up with inflation. 3% is the norm in our office and with just about everyone I else I talk to. No one is disputing that teachers are extremely important, but you have to understand that you are not a special or protected class. Times are tough all over. Everybody's hurting.

I guess maybe people should be sending resume's to Kenosha then.

Hopefully, if there are any teachers who whined to their students about their contract situation, those would be the first to go; or possibly those who picketed in front of school in the mornings would be the first in line for those plush Kenosha jobs.

59 percent is not good. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of unhappy teachers.

If the contract is only good until 2009, I hope both parties start serious negotiations sooner than the last contract. Janesville probably has a black mark against it in the education community, so I hope it doesn't get any worse.

I want the public to know even though this passed, it does not mean that teachers are happy. Everyone knows the inflation rate is higher this year than the 3.1% increase that teachers received and going to be even higher next year (higher than our 3.5% increase). By no means is this a raise. But then again, teachers haven't had a contract increase that kept up with inflation since the QEO. Kenosha School district gave their teachers a 4% increase and a 6% increase and was quoted "We as a district can't give our teachers a raise this year, but we can give them an increase in pay TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION." That is how much money Teachers lost. .9% the first year and 2.5% the 2nd year. How are Janesville teachers supposed to be happy with losing money to inflation?

I hope the general public can voice their opinions to the school board that teachers need just as good of a raise for their next contract. If the board asks for an increase in premiums during our next contract talk, you should be asking yourself WHY?