Here we go again. The school administration is up to their old tricks. Remember past referendums when money wasn't available or was voted down on a particular project and then lo and behold, after the project is completed they "find" the money for the extras that weren't included. Does fancy furnishings and swimming pool ring a bell? As far as I'm concerned the credibility of JSD is non-existant. The voters should remember. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

Rocksolid-Thank you for voting against it and I think abstaining was the correct call.

I also think you should have made a motion to repeal your earlier vote approving 4K and told the administration in the future to get all of the facts together and present them before you bring requests to the board for approval.

I can't believe that no one questioned the cost of the administrator in the first place.

Remember people where that $7500 per child the district gets comes from...the citizens pocket.

rocksolid... Hats off to you sir. Maybe you are the only sane one of the bunch! 7 Girls!!! I am suprised you are as sane as you are!!!!!

For those of you who care about facts. Yes we have, and are, home schooling our younger children (3 daughters) and yes we do have students at Parker. In fact, I currently have 3 daughters attending Parker and another daughter who graduated from Parker last year. By the way, if you were counting, yes, the total is 7 daughters! Where we choose to educate our children will be based upon what is best for them and not upon political opinion.

I lobbied very hard against 4K and voted against it. Yesterdays vote on starting the new position early was very difficult for me as although I did not want 4K, since it passed, it does need someone to run it. I was also shocked at the total compensation package that is estimated to cost $112,000.00 which includes all benefits (FICA etc.) I couldn't vote for it because of the cost but I understand that someone is needed to help with the start-up, so I abstained. Was that the best way for me to vote? Frankly, I don't know. What would you have done in my shoes?

Anyone is welcome to contact me about this or any other issue. I can be reached on my private line at 531-1883 or you may email me at bill@phonesplus-jvl.com

Sincerely,
Bill Sodemann

I have nothing against day care providers or pre-school teachers but I wonder what kind of coordinating gets done for 4 year olds. 112,000 is a lot for ABC's, 123's, and don't punch your neighbor. Maybe they'll have AP 123's.

If Bill Sodeman home schools his children, then what is his daughter doing at Parker High School every day. Just visiting friends? Let's get our facts straight people. Nothing ruins a good argument more than screwing up the facts.......just ask George W. Bush.

Is the 4k full time or part time? If it is full time they get the full amount per pupil. If it is 1/2 or 1/3 time that is the amount. Regardless they do not get hardly any money the 1st year anyways. Typically a school district does not see a money benefit for 4k until the 3 year. Was that told to the board before they voted on it? I am telling you right now the way this is structured is total BS and a huge mistake.

I would say the system is just a little bit top heavy. Why in the he!! do they need another position at over 100,000 for the 4k. Other schools have done it for far less and they are working. I think we should go to Teacher run schools and gget rid of practically all administration. It is working in other places and the teachers tend to take, for lack of a better word, ownership in the district and tend to not mind having to make concessions at contract time to better the district. It is a crying shame that there is 35 people in administration in the district. The 4k program responsibilities should have been divided among the elementary level administration!

Stupd....
You are right. I suppose there are people w/out children that need representation as well. I just got off the DPI website and the data for administrators is old but most of the asst. principals make around 100K w/benefits. Just to round things off, lets say all administration makes 100K. I realize some make more and a small handful make a bit less. There are ~35 of these positions in the district. I guess when I look at ONLY 35 people making ~4 million in pay/benifits it is a bit sickening. It would take nearly 100 teachers to eaqual that same amount.

I have no problem with someone being on the board and having thier kids home schooled. The fact is that he is a taxpayer in the district and that is his right. I would like to know how he voted on this 4k fiasco. Not wether his kids are home schooled or not.

stupidisasstupiddoes
I agree. Somehow we have really failed in the school board elections. No one has actually confirmed a question I asked in an earlier blog about Bill Sodeman. I believe he is running again and his children are home schooled. What interest does he have on the school board if he doesn't even send his children to public schools? Someone please confirm this if it is true.

Where in the he!! did you find these people. I still am in shock that the 4k got passed with a price tag that large! I think it could be a great program for some but the price is totally out of line. He!! why don't they just hire a individual administrator for every grade level! People really need to think about who they vote for in the next election!

What?!?! You're not coming around are you? I was not referring to you as one that fell through the cracks as you can carry on an intelligent debate. I think it was 112K including benefits but either way that is a large amount of money to set up a program that will be run by day care centers who wish to participate.

"Some voted for the position even though they voted against the program because they didn't think it was fair to handicap the program."

Bravo!

Either all in or all out... within reason of course, which is where that unreasonable fine line comes in. Let the people actually running and administering the program have the resources necessary to do it correctly and thuroughly.

My wife and I look forward to having our child in 4-yr old Kindergarten next fall.

This is a perfect example of how the district operates. Hopefully the people of Janesville now begin to see how the admin works. You should now be careful to believe what you hear from the District and seek out whole truths not just bits and pieces that fit their goal.

Wow my head is spinning and I think I am going to puke... Did I just support the teachers???!!!
Let me think again....
YES I DID!!!!!

A new administrator for 1 program?!?!?!? WOW! 112,000 plus benefits!?!?! I am starting to see why the teachers feel like they are getting screwed. This is bad, real bad. If the board was aware that there wouldbe a new position with that price tag on it for this program they should have voted it down. Some like 4k some don't but to just throw money at it and think it is going to work is insane. I can't believe I am saying this but...The teachers should be pissed and they should be doing the actions they are doing. The leadership that is running this school does not have a clue how to run a school. The membership should tate a no confidence vote in Evert and Picket every day until they get what they want.