Wow! What a discussion...I'm a teacher in Milton and have bargained contracts there. Frankly, many of the folks on here are ignorant of how the system of bargaining works.
The District has not shutdown, or we are not teaching well. However, folks that generically call themselves "taxpayers" seem to generalize about teachers much more than the firefighters, or police, or other public employees.
Tough times? We hear the same responses from the school board in good times or bad. Freezes? If you'll take one when times are bad for me!

The teachers are doing everything they possibly can in a lawful and ethical way. If you do not want to be confronted by the harmless yellow shirts and brochures, do not go to the conferences. You have a choice just like the teachers do. Do the conferences over the phone or through email.

Rossnmeg--You raise some good points. One thing I wanted to add about the 'new teachers getting screwed'--you mentioned that THAT is bargained for, and I think that's important to explain a bit more. I have seen other unions bargain for just the opposite, where the front end is loaded, so that teachers get to the upper end of the scale more quickly. So, it's their choice, in a way, and there are pro's and con's for each. One other thing for readers to realize, is that there is also the issue of 'topping out'--when teachers reach the top 'step' of the pay scale. In some contracts, that means the only raise those teachers get is IF any of the overall 'package' is alloted to 'cost of living' increases. Some don't, especially if the raise is front loaded, as discussed. I'm not sure what the WEA does. And, I'm not advocating which way is right or wrong, just adding some additional info.

Rocky - Yes, 111.70 started in the 90's. So? It's a state mandate. If that's objectionable, then the state rules need to change. The district has no ability to circumvent those rules. Health care costs are obscene, no doubt. We agree there. However, I object to the idea that benefits costs are not directly attributable to labor costs. I'm not accusing you of this, but it appears that many people think that any non-salary costs are "costs of doing business" and not the employee's problem. The district has very little control over health plan design without union negotiations. To move more costs from benefits to salary, both groups would need to negotiate lower benefits a less expensive plan, or make employees pay for part of the coverage (which is of course unpopular).
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So, you are absolutely correct that teachers have been paying their benefit increases. Does that mean the district is being the bully? No... it means that the MEA refuses to negotiate salary increases because they value their benefits too much. Should the teachers have a say in what policy they have? Of course, and they do! If they don't like their policies, they can negotiate to bring in a new carrier. The problem is, when you bid out cadillac policies like what they have now, insurance companies go crazy because they are assuming a huge first year risk - which jacks up the price.
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I'll tip my hat and say that I have a school finance masters degree. If I sound pompus, I apologize... but I do know what I'm talking about. Anyway, here are some numbers. A starting teacher makes around $32K if they're at the start of the salary schedule. A family insurance plan in the WEA plan is roughly $17K (some district approach $21K BTW). A double digit increase in insurance plans is common, usually around 11%. That would be $1,870. In this simplified example, that's already a 3.82% increase. On a 4% total package, that teacher would get a pathetic $90 annual raise. Let's do the same thing with a veteran teacher. Roughly $68K salary and the same $17K health plan. That teacher would get a $1,530 annual raise. Notice the problem? Compound these examples into a population of teachers and you see a prevailing trend... new teachers get screwed. Salary schedules are bargained to put heavy weight on the higher steps and lanes, which leaves very little money to add to the begining cells. The teachers that complain about their raises are usually at the beginning of the schedules. The teachers at the highest pay may advocate for their union membership, but they're also getting a raise 2-3 times their colleagues. And this doesn't count raises from lane movement (i.e. getting a master degree), which isn't part of package costing. If you don't beleive me, look at the schedules yourself over multiple years.

Rossnmeg - Perhaps it is you who are missing something. Starting when the law was passed in the 90's mandating package costing for teacher salaries & benefits, it started costing the teachers one dollar in salary increase for every one dollar increase in benefit cost. I'll make it simple. Say a teacher was making $1000 in salary and $300 in benefits. The district reports a 4% increase for the teachers - that would be $52. Benefit costs went up to $340, though, so only $12 is applied to salary. (A rather typical situation- 13% increase in health benefits....) So the district reports to the public that they gave a 4% raise - but the teacher paid 2/3 of that to benefit costs and only sees a 1.2% salary increase. In my mind (and that of many others) that shows how the teachers have been paying their own benefit cost increases (in the form of reduced salary increases) every year since 1993. Remember - most of this was during a time where others were making 4-6% salary increases annually.
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I have no hard figures, but I knowing that the average increase in benefit costs is about 9% per year in that period, and using the rule of 72 (72 divided by the percentage for time to double....) , I'd estimate that teachers are paying about 75% of their own benefit costs in the form of reduced salary. Do you pay 75% of your premiums? How much more do you think is "fair" for teachers to pay for their insurance? Since they are paying that much, don't you think they should have a say in the type of policy they have?

Teachers- Take the high road-- Don't use the kids as pawns. Don't put pressure on your colleagues to wear yellow and make them feel uncomfortable. Board- Get this worked out...think win-win. Public- If you want results with education- get your neighbors, relatives, and congressman to quit requiring more stuff that doesn't have anything to do with learning. Quit making the schools do what parents should be doing. Schools spend more time wiping noses with every new law and mandate. For those of you complaining about teachers getting paid all year-they don't. They get paid 9 months and have it spread over 12 months. Your lucky you don't have to pay for all 12 months then you would really be whining on here.

Rocky -

You have a very uninformed picture of district finances. The inclusion of benefits in teacher package settlements is nothing new, in fact it is required by state statute as part of collective bargaining. I'm all for fair compensation, but you state that a 2% salary raise is a low figure? Do you even realize how much benefits compensation represents as a package increase? I've costed teacher package increases. Benefits eat up anywhere from 2.5-3.0% of a 4.0% package increase in teacher compensation. If a 2.0% raise is granted, that means the total package increase will be nearer to 4.5-5.0% overall. That's a VERY high increase compared to most districts in the state. OF COURSE the benefit cost comes out the teacher paycheck! How else do you propose the district pays for it?

The teachers took a voluntary decrease in benefits? No they didn't... you were lied to there. The benefits package moved to a different WEA group coverage plan that was cheaper, but offered the SAME level of coverage. The only teachers who are currently paying any premiums are voluntarily paying those amounts because they opted for a more expensive coverage. The district agreed to pay the full cost of the new WEA group plan. By the way, the MEA bargained for the new coverage, the administration didn't shove it down their throats.

Also, don't delude yourself to think that the district is sitting on "millions" in a fund balance. Those funds aren't sitting in some piggy bank waiting to be spent on a pet project. They are held for many reasons, primarily to reduce interest costs from short term borrowing which is needed by nearly every school district in the state due to delays in major funding sources to the district. Fund balance is also a measured factor in determining the district's bond rating, which affects ALL borrowing done by the district, even referendums. Futhermore, it's also a measure of fiscal responsibility. School districts have very little capacity raise funds outside their allowance under the revenue limit. Fund balance is one of the only ways to buffer sudden changes to district finances handed down from the state level.

Next time you get "inside info," make sure you do a little more research into the real reasons behind district finances.

Redtop - Have you ever considered a) your daughter is lying to you and that money you sent her for "food and books" is really for beer and shots? Or b) that your daughter isn't as smart as her roommates and takes a long time on assignments?
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If you don't want to send your child to school with kleenex, hand sanitizer, etc. would you then be alright if his/her teachers didn't allow them to use any of this utensils?

redtop49: I think your daughter is trying to hide the fact the she is also going out. Has your daughter been in a single of the other classes? If not she can't prove to you how easy it is.

If you all are done basing the entire profession of teaching, I thought some may be interested in learning some of what I learned last night after talking to some folks "on the inside".

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First - the teachers primary concern is not getting raises. Apparently they have asked for about 2%, but have been backing off that. They are primarily looking to keep benefits. Apparently they way that teacher pay is calculated includes the cost of benefits, so for the past 15 years or so they have paid all increases in benefit costs out of their salary - meaning they pay about 80% of their benefit expense in the form of lower salary. How many of you who are employed pay 80% of your insurance premiums? (Yes - it is paid pre-tax as an "employer paid benefit" for tax advantage reasons, but the cost comes out of the teachers paycheck.)

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Now the Board wants to take total control of the benefits (make them non-negotiable), or make the teachers pay and additional percentage of the premium (in essence pay twice), and reduce those benefits. The teachers took a voluntary reduction in the last contract already.

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The big gripe, however, is what was described to me as the constant "doom and gloom" financial predictions from administration. Every department had to cut last year - and there was suddenly a huge surplus at the end of the year. Same thing the year before that, and before that. While enrollment has been flat for the district, or slightly declining the past year (down about 30 across the district), revenue has been steady or increasing. So the economy is terrible, but the District is still raising more revenue via taxes and aids than in the past, but demanding cuts from everyone while spending big on capital projects and socking away millions in a "fund balance".

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Bottom line seems to be that the cuts and freezes are not a reflection of district finances - which are fine - but a way to appease the general public. Let me tell you - the freeze in administrator pay and a potential freeze in teacher pay and cut in benefits does not put one dollar back into the taxpayer pocket. The Board, however, gets more money to spend on things like an apparent new keyless entry system.

WHY are the supply list so long in the beginning of the year? Because we are not just buying for our child, but those who don't have what they need. 24 pencils? 3 boxes of kleenex, 2 boxes of ziploc bags, markers, pens, crayons, erasers, in excess. They do not need all those crayons, and pencils, and packages of paper to start the school year. We are clearly buying for those who don't have. So this stuff about teachers buying,buying, buying. Evidently teachers pass that along to the parents. Then at the end of the year my daughter brought home her notebooks an a couple had hardly been used, same thing with the binders(which we reused.) But the beginning of the year lists are ridiculous. Ziploc bags? IF the teacher wants ziploc bags they can buy them , themselves from now on. They used them for sorting things in the classroom. The teacher used them. She can buy them.

IF they want more money, lets see better results. Tie pay to testing. I don't know any other profession that gets raises with out showing results. Just because you graduate kids out of high school and on to the next grade. So what, where do they really stand compared to the kids in the rest of the United States? NO one should get a raise with out showing they are doing their job and doing a good job at their job. There needs to be a way to show marked improvement in each child in the school district. People in other jobs/professions if they don't show improvement either get fired, or do not get a raise. Raises should never be guaranteed just because you teach. So what. Teacher's need to start living like the rest of us.

I have a degree in social work, I see some things first hand. My starting pay was less than that of a teacher and I don't get summers off.

Badger4life
You are so full of B.S. Nobody was getting 7-8%
Teachers have the best benefits around, and very good pay when you factor in the hours worked, i.e. many weeks off, plus spring break and every holiday. In a time everyone else is making less, or not working at all, they want more they just don't get it, this is a different world. Someone said earlier this is the first time our kids won't have it better than we did, if your unions don't see the writing on the wall they will follow the UAW down the crapper. People cannot afford the taxes and will revolt, we are sick of paying for a sub par education for our kids,they go to class less than almost every other Western country now, and yet they want more time off more prep time for what? Don't feed me your crap about teacher buying supplies, my GD just started kindergarten in Milton and my daughter had to buy everything but the kitchen sink to take for the class room not her including hand sanitizer that is for the entire class nothing she bought goes for her its all community even her glue and paints what is the teacher buying? I would have told the school to pound sand, I'm not buying for everyone else. My other daughter who is getting ready to graduate from college has two roommates that are education Majors who go out drinking several nights a week while my kid studies, "how can this be I asked" she says its because their classes are so easy, it's been an eye opener. I think until the school districts and teachers are held accountable for the job they do like private business, or we get an alternatives like private school vouchers to give us a actual choice and break the monopoly the teachers union has, our kids are screwed.

5

i agree with dick tracy, also many have part time jobs, doing construction jobs, in the summer, taking jobs from people, who have no source of income. i myself, have seen this going for many years. we dont teach school, in the winter,so the teacher should stay, in the their classrooms and let the unemployed work.

This must also explain why my kids come home with 3 to 4 hours worth of homework every night. Maybe I should be getting some teacher pay. . .

my_3_kids: Seriously, 60 plus hours a week? That seems like a stretch. But hey, that's the line of work you chose, so deal with it. It's not every profession that gets the entire summer off and can retire around age 50! Sounds like teachers have it pretty nice if you ask me. jmo

Let 'em strike.

I am a teacher and know teachers in the Milton School District. As I am sitting here (grading papers) I cannot believe the negative comments that people are making about the teachers in this story when they don't have the full picture. I find many of these comments disheartening to my profession.

How is this a problem? The teachers wear yellow one day a week and walk into work together on scheduled time? Nothing is being done on taxpayer's dimes even and people are upset. Are we really arguing this? Things have gotten much uglier before.

If I was a teacher looking for a job in the area, I may think twice about applying in Milton (or Janesville) based on the attitudes of people in blogs like these. It's unfortunate that there aren't more people voicing their support; the vocal majority seems to be against teachers. It's too bad that more people don't show their support if they've had positive experiences in their school district.

Why is it that my taxes went up the maximum amount allowed by law and yet the school board is still asking the teachers to accept lower benefits. When my taxes go up the maximum I expect the contract issues to be resolved, maybe I am expecting too much from our elected school board, is it too difficult to balance your books when you increase taxes the maximum allowed by law? This is pathetic; the school board needs to fix this. Administrators got a raise this year yet you need to take things away from the teachers.

BLT, administrators took a freeze for next year but did receive a 4% increase for this year. So they froze after a raise. Sounds good to me!

All teachers would say yes to a pay freeze if the school board would guarantee a substantial pay raise when the economy is back in full force. All the people on this blog that bash teachers and compare everything to the private sector should be backing teachers to get big raises when the economy is strong again.With the QEO gone, you will be able to support much larger raises when the economy is strong again. 3% and 4% raises when the private sector was getting 7%-10% raises and very nice bonuses/commission checks is not what I mean. However, we all know that school boards will try and squeeze as much as they can out of the teachers for as little as possible.

On another note, as the economy gets worse and worse and students come to school with less and less, who do you think helps the students with materials? Don't say the district because they have only cut more and more from the teachers' budgets. Ask any teacher how much they spend on students that don't have anything. Those numbers have gone up and up the last 5 years. A $250 tax break doesn't come close to the money teachers take out of their pocket to help kids with supplies, lunch, snacks, etc...

Yes, they volunteered a pay freeze, but give me their $80,000+ salaries (depending on their position) and I will volunteer to have a pay freeze for a year too.

Curtaincall-37 states prohibit teachers strikes, Illinois is not one of them. There was just recently (October) a strike at the high school in Ottawa, Illinois that lasted nearly a month.

The Milton administrators volunteered a pay freeze. It is noted in the full article now posted.

Curtaincall-I agree. If a pay freeze is implemented then it should apply to all.

I would also be curious to know about raises for administration. I don't feel they should get raises if the teachers don't.

In one of these posts some where I thought I thought someone said, teacher's can not strike. Is that just in Wisconsin? Because it seems like within the last 10? years they did in the Chicago? area.

Well, that's partly my point: Left to their own devices, managment is going to 'give' anything they can't squeeze out. We have those very laws you cite because of what management did in the past--in response to what management did in the past. (And, today, OSHA has been so gutted in terms of penalties, it's often cheaper to pay the fines, than make the required changes.). But that's not my main point. My main point is, we are so busy complaining that the 'we don't get, so the other guy shouldn't either', we play right into managements' long term strategy of lowering the standards for everyone. As just ONE example, look what's happened to pensions in the last decade: Those that still have them have gone from defined benefit to defined contribution. That hurts all workers.

Professor-you are talking about 70 to 100 years ago. This is a far different country now. We have labor laws as well as OSHA and the EPA. Union membership has reduced over time as fewer and fewer employees feel they need one.

Creative--I look back at how workers were treated before unions were allowed--wasn't pretty. And, while I agree that wages/benefits for workers at G.M. became an issue, let's face it: Management was part of that 'tango'. But I still think it smacks of sour grapes when one group of workers doesn't get what they should get, and in turn, get ticked off at those who do.

Handing literature out to parents or otherwise trying to draw public attention to the process is simply an attempt to put pressure on the school board. How do we know if this is warrented. The public shouldn't be used as pawns.

unless you have gone to MHS while the teachers have had to deal with this or know one of the teachers personally, or you are a teacher, DON'T JUDGE, DON'T BE HATIN. Not once while I was a student there did they EVER press this problem on to us. When the students do not agree with something that has happened they band together to prove their point. When we found out we couldn't have silly string at the homecoming assemblies anymore, we as a class came together and stood up for what had been a tradition.

I agree, but for some reason the media feels that they need to cover the teacher negotiations, but for some reason most other public union contracts are not covered. When teacher negotiations are covered, the comments begin to fly and teachers feel that they need to make their side known and thus the cycle begins

1234-Agreed, but once the union or the school board start using the public to affect the negotiations the public should have full access to the process. How else would we know who is being fair and reasonable?

You get open access to negotiations this way. You elect school board members, part of their duty is to conduct these negotiations. You do not get open access to all parts of government, even though you are a taxpayer, that is why we have elections.

What we need is open access to the negotiations in order to judge both sides. I get sick of both the school board and union using the public to affect the behind closed doors negotiations. The public is simply pawns in this fight.

Professor, I don't see how that arguement works. I don't see this as anything but making things better for them selves. That is all they are worried about. I think the teacher union is part of the problem. It was with G.M.

What would happen with no union, pay and benefit expectations, and NO union? Just sit down and talk, elect a spokesperson among the teachers and sit down and talk. No union.

What is really scary to think about is if , or should I say when the state re does its budget like it stated it may. City's and schools will almost definitely get less money , than originally thought.

One would think they could act like adults with out a third party. Guess not.

It really sucks to NOT be the one with a job, or NOT be the one who gets a raise, or NOT be the one that has a job with benefits. But, the arguments on this blog that offer scorn to those who do should realize this: This is the first time in our history that our children will likely NOT have it better than we do. Yeah, maybe the teacher's union will get a raise. Or better health insurance. Or something else. But the more unions that are successful in getting their employees a better financial package, the more that the 'financial/benefits floor' becomes becomes better for everyone. We can't keep supporting the concept of working DOWN the ladder of success.

Creativethinking-I don't think anyone is comparing GM to a School District. The comparison is the public's support of the UAW when it was up against GM compared to the apparent lack of support of the MEA in their negotiations with the School board. When GM went on strike, if I had said GM workers were lazy and greedy and were whiners, I would have been run off of this board and out of town. But when it comes to teachers, it seems the majority of people on here feel this way about teachers. When the UAW strikes, GM has huge motivation to settle because workers not working equals lost profits. The School Board has very little incentive to settle, other than keeping their teachers happy, because teachers can't strike, and most (not all) teachers are not going to let labor disputes come into their classrooms (save for wearing the evil yellow shirts).

Stevev, you hit the nail right on the head. The yellow shirts have been around for two years now.
Magneto1, I think it would be wonderful if the negotiations were a public forum. It would give the tax payer a say in the situation and all of the teacher haters could have their voice too!

creativethinking
I AGREE!
The teacher's actions is a method of indoctrinating young children in a closed environment against their parents,the school system, and the taxpayers There are ethics that are being violated here.

** They need to keep business out of the schools. That is what a labor hall is for.
*his is like a teacher talking about their personal belief in Christ as our Savor.

Just an FYI-The wearing of the yellow shirts has been going on since last spring when the two sides were negotiating (prior to the contract expiring). This isn't something that just recently started and the job actions started a few weeks ago as well, so it isn't like the MEA is calling the Gazette up asking them to cover this story.
Secondly, the "whining," as some on here call it, has more to do with the fact there is very little negotiation actually going on. As previously stated, the school board made an offer that was overwhelmingly shot down and there has basically been no back and forth between the two sides. The "whining" isn't about salaries, it's about what the board wants to take away in terms of benefits and work conditions (ie prep time, class sizes, etc) IE things that directly effect the quality of education in Milton Schools. Also note that this isn't exactly new territory for the Milton School District as the last contract wasn't approved until about 14 months after the previous on had expired.
Finally, and this really doesn't need to be said, but I don't know any teacher who goes into teaching to make money. The assumption that teachers are greedy and lazy is really quite offensive, and I'm not even a teacher.

Right on, Rocky!! Most people don't realize that over the last 20 years, teachers have lost ground in salaries due to inflation and cost of living going up more than their pay. They are actually earning less now in real dollars than in 1990.

I'll say it again. The teachers who were handing out flyers during parent teacher conferences were not under contract time. Those were members of the union who were not involved with those parent/teacher conferences. They were volunteers from different grade levels who gave up their personal time to bring the issue to the parents of that school.

G.M>. IS not even the same thing. NOT even close. G.M> is/was a billion dollar company, with money to spend. ( or so we thought.) Don't even compare the two. It's not a argument you can win comparing them to G.M.. and look what happened to G.M.

I just think that this whole situation is so bizzare and shows how backward some people in this community really are. When GM would strike (actually leave the plant and not produce anything) everyone would rally behind them in support. Now that TEACHERS (people who actually are educated in a field that took years of schooling) want to maintain what they have earned - people get all up in arms. Give me a break people! It is not like they are asking for these huge raises or anything like that. In my opinion teachers should be some of the most highly paid people on the planet - they have to deal with YOUR kids.

What we need is open access to the negotiations in order to judge both sides. I get sick of both the school board and union using the public to affect the behind closed doors negotiations. The public is simply pawns in this fight.

If the teachers with master degrees or above, working in the public sector feel they are so grossly underpaid, then perhaps, since this is a free country and all, they should seek employment in the private sector where they will be compensated at a higher level. No one is forcing them to work for a public school system. You can't compare public to private becase the two are not the same and never will be.

They were 'working' when they handed out those flyers during parent teacher conf. That is time that is covered in their contract. They would not be their if they were not required to. Just like the free seminars they could go to for FREE training. NOT one came to the last one because its not in their contract.

You don't hear the police officer's who took PAY CUTS whining.

Thanks for illuminating some of the issues, Stout66.

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For the rest - the only "whining" I'm hearing is coming from most of the folks posting on this forum. You're upset because of yellow shirts? Yeah - that is painful. (roll eyes) Being at work when they are supposed to be at work? Sounds reasonable to me.

ttyl1023 any good teacher would tell you that everyone is allowed their own opinion and just because you don't agree with them, does not make you right, and anyone who does not agree with you wrong. It's the teacher's who do not 'get it.' , they could be unemployed and don't seem to understand that.

stevev - I think you are one of the only ones on this blog that actually get it.

Many highly qualified unemployed teachers out there who would love the opportunity to teach. Highly qualified. Replacing some of the teachers who are having tantrums would be no problem.

SwissChick, exactly I do not get reimbursed for continuing education from my employer, either does my husband. Why they feel the need to whine about that every year I do not know. I am required to take classes to 'stay up to date.' NO one pays for them but me. ( o.k. my husband helps.)

It must be a toss up in that school, who whines more the teacher's or students.

thank you gary primer also keeping it fun.. love the juice box comment.

If they don't want their salary, benefits, and negotiations laid our for public scrutiny, well . . . work for a private institution. Gee! Public schools are just that. . . .Public. Btw, I'm paying when I can to further my education. No reimbursement.

O.K. this was the quote.
"The union started the job actions because “we just want to ensure that Milton continues to provide the best education for all of its students and that we’re able to attract and retain the best teachers,” Kress said. "

What the heck, so if they don't get the money they want , the quality of the kids education will suffer. Is that a threat? Get rid of those teachers with that attitude now.

MANY PEOPLE are not getting raises in this economy. Maybe they would rather be unemployed.

hey i worked in a union shop for many yrs and we consolidated wages many times.. or raises.

Momof5/Swisschick-How many salaried workers in the private sector with Master's Degrees are making as little as teachers with Master's Degrees or higher? Furthermore, how many of those private sector workers had their Master's degrees paid for by their employers while teachers (who are required by the state to work towards advanced degrees to maintain licensing) have to take out student loans to finance required education?
I am a salaried worker in a "private sector" job. I do routinely work over 40 hours a week. However, I feel I am fairly compensated for this. My employer paid for a significant portion of my Master's degree. I can take my 3 weeks of vacation nearly whenever I want, as opposed to being limited to school vacations. I'm not likely to be discriminated against by a prospective employer because I have an advanced degree and experience when it would be cheaper to hire a new grad, like it is in many school districts today. Not to mention the fact that my salary and benefit negotiations aren't laid out for public scrutiny everytime I have a yearly review.

Moco428 , I'm not being a hater . I'm not even saying they don't deserve it . I'm simply stating realities . Everyone is feeling a pinch in some way or another . They do a job I could never , or would never do . They are a special group of people . Isn't everyone !

Thanks momoffive. How come nobody complains when salaried employees in the private sector work "over their 40 hours without pay"?

Rocky, the main issues are as follows: The teachers are upset that this is the 3rd contract in a row they have had to work without a contract past June. Also, they are upset that the board made an offer, then when the union voted it down two-hundred and something to zero, the board lowered their next offer and basically said take it or leave it, it only gets worse from here. I think most of the teachers can accept there will be no pay raises, but they were wanting a negotiation, not a take it or leave it we are broke contract. They seemed to have lots of money to waste on making the High School parking lot a nightmare of a re-do. And the teachers passing out flyers during conferences were not working at the time. The teachers are asking for everything they received for the last 10+ years, so they are not asking for the world by anny means.

loveisgood: 3.5% actually! Your argument is weak at best. Just because you didn't get one doesn't mean that no one should get one! If I get a raise and I keep spending then we'll be out of this crap a bit sooner. Don't be a hater of people trying to get a fair contract.

Working 60hrs/wk and getting paid for 40hrs of work is part of being a salaried employee vs an hourly wage employee. My husband routinely spends his days off in the office catching up on work he didn't have time to get to during the regular work day. He isn't whining about it, because he is grateful each morning that he still has a job to get up and go to. If the pay raises are so much better in the private sector, then maybe the Milton teachers should get a job there. No one is forcing them to work in Milton - they can quit at any time and find employment elsewhere.

As in Janesville - once again we see that people want to treat teachers the same as the private sector when things are going badly, but had no problems limiting them to meager increases when the economy was booming and the private sector was getting much larger raises than allowed under the old QEO. I really hope all the "look at my lousy situation" folks are out there campaigning hard for huge pay increases for teachers when things turn around for you.

Waiting for what? More money?? Better benefits?? I haven't had a raise in 3 years. My insurance premiums are paid 25% by me out of my check on a weekly basis. My 25% portion has tripled in that time period (even though I have been to a doctor once) and do you know what that means? ALOT less take home pay and yet I'm asked to do more where I work. Huh. Do you get it yet?

Why is it when GM was still around and they went on strike, there was nearly unilateral support for the union, and anyone who spoke out aganist them on boards like these were criticized? Teachers can not go on strike, job actions are about all they can do. Furthermore, they are only doing what is stipulated by their contract by working only the hours they are required to be there. Actually, I believe the teachers are working WITHOUT a contract, and have been for months now. Teachers are not asking for a raise, they're mostly just trying to keep what they already have, which, based on their education and the amount of time they put in above and beyond what their contract stipulates, isn't asking for all that much.

stevev- I totally agree with you.

Willie, how is it hostile? I have not heard about the students acting in an uproar about the teachers wearing yellow shirts. I do not believe they are selfish. They are just trying to get what they think they deserve. And after so many years, they have had enough of waiting and now are taking action in a civil way.

I thought that used to be green on Thursdays. They must have changed it.

DiamondQueen32
The reason for firing them is because their action reflect poorly on the children. They are bring a hostile work environment for the children to learn in, and sending a message to children that their parents are bad, and selfish.
If a group of students walked into school wearing a symbol of disobedience which would distract the students they would be kicked off campus.I attend Milton as well I recall the student handbook very well. Example if 100 students decided to wear white undershirt to school with the underlined message of what everyone would assume the meaning meant they would be kicked out.
Pick any topic that white undershirts may stand for it does not matter but what matters is that it alters the learning environment.

Anybody know what the issues are? Why are the teacher's apparently upset with the Board's offers? I'm seeing a lot of assumptions here that the teachers are being "greedy", but the brochure I saw being passed around was about the Board claiming to have no money while at the same time socking away hundreds of thousands of dollars into long-term savings and throwing hundreds of thousands more into parking lot resurfacing and other nice, but not critical, projects. Perhaps the Board is being greedy and trying to take advantage of economic conditions to "stick it to" to the teachers. I'd welcome any inside comments.

But it does not affect the students. The students have more to worry about than teachers wearing yellow shirts.

They do kind of involve the students when they do something uniformly like wearing yellow on Wednesdays. Tell me the kids don't know what the teachers are doing that for!

Really....how is wearing a yellow shirt "involving the children?" What will affect the children the most is the board's demand to significantly reduce teacher's prep time and ask them to do more in less time and for less money.

ShotGunWillie...they DO NOT involve the children. not once while i was a student there did they ever bring up the situation during class.

For you people that believe that teachers just teach from a book I would like to see you try. I can only imagine how much work goes in to teaching all the children in the classroom in a way that they all understand since everyone has their own style of learning. As for the people that think this is ridiculous...do you even know why they are angry. If not I suggest that you find out the specifics before slamming them. Great job Milton teachers!!

Fire them all, and let them apply for their positions again. I do not feel these people have the ethics to be teachers when they involve the children in their personal issues.

Napalm-what would firing the teachers there do? Just because they wear yellow shirts? It would be like telling the seniors that they will get suspended for wearing pink shirts on a different day than class color day. Unless you have gone to MHS during the time the teachers have had to deal with this...don't be hatin.

I graduated from Milton in 2008 and the teachers have been dealing with this since at least my sophomore year there. They are doing the best they can and the teachers never let that interfere with their teaching. I learned a great deal from the teachers at MHS and in fact I still use my high school homework to help me on my COLLEGE work. If high school work helps a sophomore in college with their homework, I think they do a great job of teaching.

I thought that school was where teachers helped children learn to become adults, not where teachers showed them how to act like children. No juice box for you!

Okay, can we please drop the "DUHHHS"? That is so grade-school talk. Sheesh!

Why is it when GM was still around and they went on strike, there was nearly unilateral support for the union, and anyone who spoke out aganist them on boards like these were criticized? Teachers can not go on strike, job actions are about all they can do. Furthermore, they are only doing what is stipulated by their contract by working only the hours they are required to be there. Actually, I believe the teachers are working WITHOUT a contract, and have been for months now. Teachers are not asking for a raise, they're mostly just trying to keep what they already have, which, based on their education and the amount of time they put in above and beyond what their contract stipulates, isn't asking for all that much.

LOVEISGOOD - I got a raise this year, but I'm not sure what this has to do with this story. Let me ask you a question, when the private sector was getting 7 - 8% raises a couple years ago and teachers were only getting 2 - 3% what was your excuse then?

Show of hands please ... How many people have recieved a raise this year ?

Times are not as they were . Maybe they need a pay cut so they come back to reality !

the teachers there want to attract and maintain the talent. abviously they either think they have high talent which most dont, or openly searching for their own replacements. teachers are about as greedy as they come just to teach from a book anyway. i was a milton student, can you tell?

They are standing up for their rights and showing they are unhappy with the way that union talks are going collectively as a group, while at the same time keeping their obligation to the students of the district and remaining teaching them. That should be commended, it is showing the district that they are united as a group and they want this resolved. I do not know the specifics of the contract negotiations, however teaches in general are not very well compensated for what they provide to youth, also Milton already passed the increase in the school tax, what is that increase in my taxes going to pay for. There are less students this year so less supplies are needed, hopefully less mess due to less people, I understand that utility rates are going up slightly and their will need to be repairs however those are always the case. I would rather see the increased taxes go to the teachers than end up lining some principles pocket. I guess if someone can give me a reason as to what all that money is going to be used for and a rational for why that is needed then so be it however in my eyes we are paying more for the same service so I would like to see the people who provide that service see an increase so that next year we don’t get the excuse that they need to increase our taxes the maximum to pay the teachers more. Sure they will just increase the taxes the maximum without any reason but there is nothing stopping that. BTW I am not happy I am taxed more but I can’t change that now, at least let that increase make its way down to the people who teach our children.

If they are concerned about kids getting the best education, are they willing to point out the teachers who are not doing a good job at teaching.

Comming from a Unionized shop, I can be the one Bad-Guy here I guess.
High 5 to the teachers. Organized labor is the only way a group will not be used and abused. That was the original point of unions, to those people that have chosen a career that disallows unionization. Thats your deal. You should really stay out of the unionized labor's market.
You do not mind being used and degraded. You don't care if your boss takes away the progressive balances that occur in an economy over time. Your saticfied being whom you are. Stay out of issues that you do-not understand 100%. 54% isn't good enough understanding to formulate your opinions.
By the way? If you were a well educated in the field of economics individual/ and not just a taxpayer with no mind set but what it means to your pocket alone; verses what gains would mean for the community as a whole, and in due time by natural flow Your gain too?
You'd think twice about commenting negativily about those whom actually have everyone's well being in mind.
( No, I really don't expect you to understand.)

My kids attended Milton schools and I have the utmost respect for the Milton teachers and the education they provide. However, we are in a tough economy and everyone has had to bite the bullet, whether still employed or not. No one likes a pay freeze, but they are probably grateful they still have a job. The taxpayers are making do in a challenging economic situation. Why do the teachers think they are any different? Their whining and protests will not be well received.

Setting the example of standing up for one's beliefs and rights is not such a bad lesson, is it? The situation is a great opener for communication between parent and student to discuss how each feel and what their opinion might be. I don't find it offensive, I find the situation presents a teachable moment.

WW...If you were in their shoes, you would probably do the same thing..
If you had to work 60 hours and get paid for 40 hours.. what would you do.. Sure it is (in some ones opinion) that a teacher HAS to be there from time "A" to time "B" but most are not getting paid for it.. Do you work for free?? Bet not!!! So you have you have to give up a little time to help "Lil Johnny" or "Lil Suzy".. with their homework...this is a good time for you to get involved with you kids school and homework.. 7:45 - 3:30 makes for a long day then add in the time they actually stay (it's more like 7:15 -4:00).. Sure it doesn't seem long to you. now days Teachers do not get the time to prep for classes as they should.. they have to do it at home.. Do you bring your work home with you ,, (and get paid for it???) I doubt it, and they did not finish College to Babysit your kids, because they (the kids) did not pay attention in class (then they complain that the teacher did not explain it to them... Well DUHHH),, They were too busy talking in class or passing notes to each other just to find out "what are you going wear tomorrow??, or did you see that great looking girl in my math class last hour?? or ---And (heaven Forbid) "Who is buying the beer for this week ends party at "Big Billy's bash"??
I think the Teachers have a right to voice or show their dislike in their contract.. hell it's better than having them go on strike.. THEN WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH THE LITTLE DARLINGS

"idiots like them.." Napalm, it's ironic that you are calling teachers (or anybody, in fact) idiots. Their tactics may be subjected to criticism, but your suggestion to "start over" tells me you didn't have much education yourself nor do you understand the situation at hand. Have you been, or known a teacher in your immediate life? I was pursuing an education degree at WW but decided against it due to unionization issues and overall lack of compensation for teachers - it's tough - again, however, their tactics should be criticised and evaluated due to their direct involvement of and effect on the students.

Nor does the School Board for bringing them to these drastic measures

Especially in these hard times , everyone has to sit back tighten the belt and work thru it, to put on yellow shirts and brimg attention to ones self sounds a little childish. I domt care what anyone says Milton Teachers dont sound very professional to me.

frusion:
What the MEA is doing is saying they are more than willing to help students during contract time. After that it is time to help and take care of their own families. They are contractually doing absolutely nothing wrong.

And another thing… Any Milton teacher who hands out union propaganda during work hours, including parent conferences, organizes or gathers for a union “event,” on district property, or wears a yellow shirt with MEA on it to work should immediately be given a 3-day, unpaid furlough! On second thought, they’d like that…then they could go hunting, bake holiday cookies or go shopping…

ww

It's one thing to negotiate a contract in a professional manner but the Milton teachers are heading toward an unprofessional level when they stoop to these antics. Teachers are suppose to be role models and this shows the students that if I don't get my way, I'm going to pout to your parents. This reminds me of the Parker High School contract issue. In particular there was one teacher that I have forever lost respect. He had the audacity to directly say to me, "no, I will not come in early or stay late to see any student that needs extra help until we have a signed contract." I would be interested to know if any of the Milton teachers have decided they are withholding helping students outside the normal class room time.

Unionized professionals…now there’s an oxymoron! For your MEA members; a contradiction, like “jumbo-shrimp,” or in your case, “unacceptable solution.” Apparently you haven't been paying attention to Arne Duncan...

ww