There are certain things in life you just don't take a cheapo attitude about....never skimp on your wedding photographer (learned that the hard way) and you don't skimp on educating the next generation.

"Life won't end if you don't have an education...it'll just pass you by."

I've posted this before and will again today. Teachers are not the problem. The students and parents are! Parents are the key element to any kids education. If the parent sees no benefit in making education a priority the child will most likely follow that same path. The time has come for a cause and effect design to public schools with regards to parents. Put in place a system of penalty for poor grades. Start with 1st grade and explain to the parents that every year the kids will be evaluated at the beginning, middle and end of the year. If the child is falling behind the parents will be notified in writing and required to attend a parent/teacher conference discussing the objectives/goals needed to bring the student up to speed. Maybe summer school, maybe being held back. Say the student continues to fall behind then at the next registration the parent will need to reimburse the school district a percentage of the money spent on the child from the previous year or some type of penalty. This is really the only way people will make an effort for the fear of spending more money. The win is the student being better prepared for life after school

Why is everyone writing about how teachers shouldn't get a pay raise when the article states that a pay raise is not the main motive of the negotiating team? If you read the actual paper, the negotiating team's primary motives are to improve the working conditions at the schools so the teachers can get the respect they deserve. As a new teacher, the "respect" they get from this community is a joke! and if it were me, I would consider leaving to work for a district where the citizens (who mostly had free, APPRECIATED educations)have more respect for educators, and education in general. With the anti-education, defeatist attitudes of the people in this community, it would be no surprise if Janesville did close! Of course, the teachers would get the blame...???

Investing in education is investing in our kids and our community. Now more than ever, our kids will be relying on their teachers for the tools and support for success. We must attract and retain the best -- we owe to our children and the community. In addition, a great education system is perhaps the best magnet for businesses. Companies will not come to Janesville for the fine weather -- we need a top notch education system to bring jobs here.

It's amazing....I guess teachers never deserve pay raises. Whenever this topic is brought up people begin bashing teachers. I understand times are tough and teaches should be happy to have jobs, but when times were good were people suppportive of pay raises for teachers? I'm not saying teachers need to be given huge pay raises, but to say they shouldn't even desire a modest increase is crazy. Even when times were good teachers salaries were restricted due to the QEO. Was it fair then that those in the private sector saw big raises during the economic boom while teacher's increases were limited? It's all about negotiation....I'm sure they are not going to go into contract talks with huge demands, they understand the economy. But you can't go into contract talks and ask for nothing.

A huge percentage of private sector employers are initiating 5 and even 10% pay reductions. My friend by Milwaukee got a 20% cut and a week off without pay. Many other companies are cutting work days, one day a week is a 20% cut in pay for the hourly. This being said I think it would be a mistake for the teachers to take a hard stand on a wage increase. All the people in this city are in this together, teachers too. Lets spread the pain around.

It is not about "deserving" anything. Are they more deserving than anyone where I work? Are they more deserving than any non-union employee of the state? Right now, I am thankful that my company will do this and no one loses their job, than to give small raises and let go of some employees. If this was all about paying people what they deserve, then good teachers would earn more.

In good times and in bad, apparently teachers never deserve any kind of raise. What a way to thank teachers during teacher appreciation week. Way to go Janesville!

Not all workers are receiving an increase in wages. My employer is freezing all wages and cutting hours, as is my wife's employer. The state just announced that they are freezing wages and cutting work days (without pay). I see no reason why educators, or any other profession, should not be immune to the same practices as the state and other private sector jobs. Everyone needs to sacrifice in tough times.

Its almost communism, the way people view "fairness". If I'm suffering, so too should everyone else. I imagine in a perfect world, everyone would get the exact same wage. To even suggest that there aren't people still doing well in this economy is ridiculous. When you put your life/career in someone else's hands, you suffer the consequences. When you get an education, you take care of your own future. There are people in all sectors looking for work, and in some cases may have to look elsewhere. The comparison between general motors workers and teachers is one that defies logic.

Woodsman you are ignorant, your kids/grandkids wouldn't have the degrees for their career without teachers. A slight raise for years of service happens in all jobs why shouldn't it for teaching? It is not teachers fault that there aren't any pharm. jobs!!! Come off it

You're right woodsman, everyone is entitled to an opinion. Stop bashing the teachers before you even know the details.

Yes "ALL" of these people you mentioned should feel lucky to have a job,& the high pay they receive. I have kids,grand kids that don't have the luxury of even having a job,and are about to be put out on the streets. Education and how much,is not an issue for my kids,there is "NO" jobs here,& my daughter in law has 8 years of schooling for pharmacist,but not one opening here,in this town! So for these teachers to even suggest they need more money is just plain greed in these times!!

Woodsman - Except for those people in Janesville called "Doctors", "Lawyers", "Accountants", etc. How appalling that people with 4+ years of edudcation (that is continuous) would demand a decent salary! Tie them all up!

Just think about it,the teachers "ARE" most likely the highest paying job,NOW,in Janesville. So the whining about their salaries is not warranted anymore. But then again never was IMO!

Didn't Unions learn anything from the UAW mess. I'm not a member of the union anymore (TG), & if i were a member the last thing i'd vote for right now is a pay increase. What they'll end up doing is getting more teachers laid off in this economic nightmare. Take my advise & don't make the mistake GM workers did. Don't listen to your union. If they're agenda was ensuring your job security, GM employee's would still be on the line making $75 an hour (including benefits). It is possible to vote yourself right out of work! Don't just take my word for it. GO ahead & vote for the pay raises, & we'll see whos still got work this time next year.