On Wis. Legislature to take up budget fix bill

Posted on April 4 at 7:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

So, the budget will be balanced this year WITHOUT all the inflammatory collective bargaining issues. Why again did Walker insist on including that? Good leaders bring people with differences in opinion together in compromise, poor leaders divide them even further. Oh, by the way, walker cronies, please explain this one:

http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquart...

So, all those teachers and State workers are just overqualified, right? That's why they were vilified by walker and the repubs.....but this guy, he's one of you, so it's ok.

On Edgerton to consider 18.7% tax increase

Posted on October 27 at 2:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Rockresident said:

"Please join those of us who are sick of greedy educators take more money, while the rest of us continue to sacrifice just to hold on to a job - by attending the School District meeting tonight at 7pm at District office and make these greedy few stare us in the eyes and explain why we all sacrifice and suffer but they can continue to keep class sizes small, raise teachers pay, pay 100% health care, etc.

Some of us don't even have health care if we're even lucky enough to have jobs. I am also more educated than most teachers. Personally, I'd be embarrassed to be a teacher nowadays. All greed, no more teaching for respect and the kids I guess.

7PM DISTRICT MEETING - Let's bring them back to reality!!!"

Rustycal
I must admit, you have a flair for the dramatic. I'm not sure how someone can make blanket statements such as your's about how teachers should be embarassed to be an educator. The new updated version of this story states that not a single person spoke up at the meeting? Were you out inciting riots and too busy to make it? Perhaps you were lambasting your wife about how she should be embarassed to be a greedy teacher. It's quite different to show up at said meeting and look those "greedy devils" in the eye than to spout off on a blog, isn't it?
The Edgerton School Board members are hard-working, conscientious people and the community should be proud of them for doing what is necessary to preserve a quality education in Edgerton.
You state that you are more educated than most teachers. You may have more college credits than some teachers, but there is a significant difference between being "educated" and simply earning credits. Also, you mention the small class sizes at Edgerton. When is the last time you were at the school and monitored the class sizes? It's much easier to just spout this crap than to fact check, isn't it. The average class size is 29 right now in the middle school. That's more than there are chairs in most classrooms.....

On Edgerton approves 20-percent levy increase

Posted on October 27 at 1:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I have lived in both Edgerton and Janesville and the "climate" of each community in regards to the schools are like night and day.
In Edgerton, when people see the wonderful facilities, they comment on how wonderful it is for the students and the community. It is a source of pride for the residents and the town.
In Janesville, when people see the new facilities, I hear comments about what a "burden" they are on the community and there is no need for such glamour because "back in the day we were perfectly fine going to school in a one room school house with no air conditioning and walking to school up hill both ways, etc, etc, etc. Why on earth should these kids have all these fancy pants computers and air conditioners?"
I honestly always thought I was a bit pessimistic until I lived in Janesville for a while. I then realized just how bright my outlook was compared to many of the folks here. I shudder to think what would happen to the city if you all get your wishes in regards to the school/teachers.

On Edgerton approves 20-percent levy increase

Posted on October 27 at 10:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Perhaps the majority of the people in Edgerton understand that an investment in their schools is an investment in the future? The Edgerton School District is a great district and the community is a wonderful place to live. There is a lot of pride in the schools throughout the community. What's wrong with that? Most intelligent people understand that in most towns, the school district is the life blood of the community.

Some of you folks just complain to hear yourselves talk. Do you ever sit down and read the stuff that you are posting? If we are going to emerge from these tough times, it's going to be because of an investment in our schools. Let's not cut off our nose to spite our face........

I'm a taxpayer in the district and I don't have any children attending the schools, but I certainly don't want the class sizes any larger or want to see any other support staff or educators laid off.

On Top cops warn of heroin invasion

Posted on March 24 at 1:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Molly---They had a swat team and the FBI there for the bust a few years ago. It's a shame because it's such a nice neighborhood minus that place......

Those same tenants that were there for the drug bust a few years back had child services called on them right before the drug bust. They had a two year old running around outside unsupervised day after day. One day, some of the older kids(7-11 yr olds) were throwing firecrackers up in the air and the two yr old was trying to catch them. I yelled at them and told them to knock it off and then called the police.

On Top cops warn of heroin invasion

Posted on March 24 at 11:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Molly---I believe we might live on the same street and I have reported the same issues as you regarding that duplex rental. With your mention of the daycare and the police officer at the end of the street, we must be talking about the same place.
If we are neighbors, that place has been a constant pain for the 9 years that I have lived in that neighborhood. I have had three break-ins in the last 3 years(all in our vehicles and garage and not the house, thank goodness...)

On Freeze the teachers? Hard times raise hard question

Posted on January 27 at 7:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

"I have always thought that when people know they are doing a good job they have no reason to defend themselves, because they know they are. Well Rusty you just made me wonder what you think of the job you do. I hope you do not teach based on the attitude you have displayed here. Our kids deserve someone a little more even tempered. BY Curtain Call"

Curtain, please don't assume to know anything about me as a teacher or person. Exactly what "attitude" did I display? Don't pretend for a second that my interactions with my students are anything near what they are with people on her spewing venom and false information.
I have always thought that when people make accusations about people they know nothing about, they are showing their ignorance and have run out of valid arguments. Despite your comments on here, I will NOT presume to know anything about you personally or professionally.

On Freeze the teachers? Hard times raise hard question

Posted on January 27 at 7:06 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Some salary info concerning the average teacher's salary. Remember, this is for another district.

---I have been a teacher for 10 years.
---I have a B.S. + 28 credits(a thesis away from my Masters in Education).
---I coach three varsity level sports.
---I work lunch duty(give up my own lunch to supervise the kids for which I am paid).
---I sub every opportunity that I get.
---I taught summer school for 6 weeks(5 hours a day) last summer.
---I had to take a district required in service that was 1 week in August/8 hrs a day that we were paid $200 for.
---I drive in to school every weekday during the summer to open the gym/weight room for interested athletes(This is voluntary.)
---My gross was 52,155 this year. I just want you to understand some of the extra duties required to get to that supposed $51,000 average. I am extremely happy with my job and what I am paid. I am thankful for it every day and I feel for all of those losing their jobs. No complaints, but please don't tell me that teachers average $51,000 just for their 8 hour teaching day.
Btw, we do not have the choice of taking checks over the summer in my district for what it's worth.

On Freeze the teachers? Hard times raise hard question

Posted on January 27 at 7:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

"ARE you not reading the posts? There have been several teachers on here. Several spouses of teachers on here complaining I guess you only read what you want to read. by CurtainCall"

Pot, meet kettle.

Are YOU not reading the posts? Whyteach simply said they are not complaining about wages and benefits, which they are not. We are defending public schools while they are being trashed and explaining to people what exactly our job entails when people say we are "overpaid and underworked". Can you see the difference? Nurses and other health care workers would not complain if their professions were attacked by posters? Really? Really?
More later, I have to go sit in a chair and let my numerous aides and parent volunteers teach my classes for me while I check my Swiss Bank Accounts......Geez.

On Freeze the teachers? Hard times raise hard question

Posted on January 26 at 6:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

"Sadly, no one gives a rip about the secretaries/clerks/aides for the school district. You'd all be surprised about how much work they do with very little compensation."

Those folks are extremely important to the operation of any school district and I shudder to think what it would be like without them.
That being said, in my district, the secretaries and aides do not make copies for teachers, take attendance or type up tests. If we were even to ask them to do these tasks, I think they would beat us. That is not the purpose of having these essential people in the building.
We consider these people to be our friends and colleagues and it pains us to see them being overloaded with work and having positions cut. If they were being attacked in these posts as teachers are, I would be the first to stick up for them.