Repercussions of the School Calendar
Contributed by: Michelle Monte
Have you noticed that some speakers at School Board meetings say, "this was on the DPI website." Have you ever checked to see what is on the Wisconsin DPI website? I have and I found that in the last several years, since 2002, while our calendar gets shorter and shorter, serious negative issues in our schools are rising. Since 2002-2003 school year (when our calendar was cut yet again) to this day, truancies, suspensions, expulsions, weapons and drug incidences in the schools (including elementary), drop outs, and non-graduates have gone up each year. The average ACT score and the number of students taking it has gone down. With the average ACT score being 22.5 in Oshkosh, the 60% of students wanting to go to college or tech/voc school will not get in ANY of them in this area.
The reason behind cutting classroom time was to save operating costs in the budget. How about freezing administrative salaries and auditing the number of staff assistants? How about standing up to the Teachers Union? How about allowing open bidding for health insurance (yes, insurance companies will do that)? How about putting the present and future of the students first?
I'm ready to walk the walk.
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:22 PM MDT
Boy, this lady should run for school board! She would have my vote!!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:26 PM MDT
Yea - rather than working with the teachers, we should fight with them.
She sure will get alot done.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:34 PM MDT
We shouldn't fight them as you implied.....And no one is.....I don't see any black eyes while I am at the bar on Friday and the teachers are there "collaberating".......
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:37 PM MDT
I sure hope you've reported those teachers at the bar who should be collaborating...
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:44 PM MDT
Maybe the teachers should stop worrying about dollars collaborating in their wallets/purses, and start worrying about educating children.
I hope anyone that runs for School Board will stop this runaway train (the teachers at the money/benefits trough.)
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:23 PM MDT
For the recoerd, if you compare teacher wages to any other profession requiring a similar level of education - you will find teachers make much less.
Also, name another profession where you use your own money to buy supplies for work.
Our teachers are underappreciated, underpaid and under attack.
We need better pay for our teachers. You need to appreciate more the things that they do for your children.
Everyone here should take a deep look into themselves and figure out if they really mean the attacks on dedicated teachers we keep hearing.
They are not the villians here.
Whoever this lady is needs to stay far away from education - unless it is to get some for herself.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:53 PM MDT
Are you forgetting to add the health insurance and retirement benefits into the total compensation package. There is more than just wages!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:54 PM MDT
Here we go again with attacks on people who are running for political office. Sounds to me like those already in office and under attack (and those who support them) don't want the competition. Get real folks. Challengers are coming and your time is UP! This woman has my vote.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 07:02 AM MDT
I am a licensed teacher in the state of Wisconsin. I worked my first teaching job for free because any salary I made went back into my classroom.
I agree that teachers are underpaid and underappreciated. However, it is the ridiculously expensive benefit packages and ridiculously high salaries of administrators, assistant administrators, and assistant to the assistant administrators I have a hard time swallowing. I think we can all do better for our children since they are the ones who will be wiping our drool in the future.
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Thanks for reading.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 09:06 AM MDT
Michelle,
You had me until, you stated you were a teacher! There are those of us that supported Don Sween a retired teacher, because he said he could be FAIR and look at the issues facing our district. He has shown us that he lied. Once a teacher always a teacher. This has had little to do with the students EVER...if it had all teachers would want to be in front of "their" kids educating them for a demanding future. So from now on when we speak of what is best for the children can we be honest?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 12:55 PM MDT
In a past career, I also sold insurance. Are you going to tell me that that will sway how I would vote on benefits issues? (FYI I hate the BS insurance companies hand out.)
I also sold radio advertising. Am I in cahoots with the FCC? NO!
I sold shoes at Walmart. Does that mean I am going to vote for school uniforms with Gucci shoes? NO!
I was a hospital housekeeping aide at a Christian Hospital. Does that mean I will violate separation of church and state and push for prayer in the schools? I prayed every day when the bell rang, but I would never force my beliefs on anyone else.
I am sorry you feel the way you do. I would have liked everyone's support, but I can't please everyone all the time. I can only do what is best for my four children, my neighbor's children, and all their friends. For their future.
Us against them is not what I am about. I am about doing what is right and I do not agree with the teachers union. Thanks to the State teachers union, I had my first teaching job for six months, performed miracles with those kids and was laid off because of budget cuts. Cuts that came primarily from older teachers demanding more money than they deserved. BTW my contract was for $26,000, I got $13,000 minus taxes, minus partial insurance, minus gas for the two hour drive there and two hour drive home, minus classroom supplies, minus daycare, etc.
Instead of assuming (we all know what that means), how about talking to me and asking my views on issues that concern you and not assuming (there's that word again) that I am like everyone else you distrust. My name is Monte, not Sween, not Bowen, not Kavanaugh nor McDermott, and certainly not Weinsheim.
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Thanks for reading.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:40 PM MDT
So, you can't hold down a job?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 02:22 PM MDT
Here we go again with people who view things differently apparently having to attack their "opponent." I think your response to this woman about her alleged inability to hold down a job is in extremely poor taste and ompletely uncalled for. Many people have done a lot of different things in their lifetime if they started working at age 15 or 16 like many of us did. Your attack on her and snide comment are exactly what's wrong with the political process. Why don't you try to not attack people just because they don't share your political beliefs? Presenting yourself as you just did does nothing but make you look foolish and uneducated.
Cheryl Hentz
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 03:22 PM MDT
Michelle:
I am a ""main stream" person and I can assure you, if you run, I will fully support you and get as many as I can to support you and get the "big spenders" off the board....Your background and the fact you have had more than a few jobs only broadens your appeal....Thanks for publicly taking on this challenge rather than hide behind an anonymous account and bomb throw like the person who is attempting to character assassinate.....Note, I am unnamed but I don't bomb throw!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 06:03 PM MDT
Thank you. I am running in April (or sooner). I hope I can shake your hand some day just for giving me a chance and not being quick to judge those whom you do not know. Thanks again.
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Thanks for reading.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 07:16 AM MDT
I heard in a school board meeting that Monte was a Veteran. Still think once a teacher, always a teacher. How about Semper Fi?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 10:15 AM MDT
Michelle,
You stated you feel teachers are underpaid. How do yuo feel about the benefits they receive?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:10 PM MDT
I feel teachers are underpaid only in that most new teachers are forced to purchase supplies for their students and classrooms as there are not enough funds in their school's budget. The short period of time that I was a teacher, I wished I had made more ($26,000/yr), but wish in one hand and put manure in the other and see what fills up first. It sucked working eight hours or more, driving four hours, and spending another four or more hours a night correcting papers, writing lesson plans, preparing lesson books and materials just in case I need a sub, and lying awake wondering if the girl who came to school with the side of her face bruised is going to be in school tomorrow. I loved teaching and I knew that was the situation when I chose the career and I do not regret a second or a dollar spent.
As far as benefits? Fully paid insurance and retirement should not be a given (nor should raises). Benefits should be earned (retirement and raises) and insurance should be opened to bidding and should be paid the same way any other business does it. My husband pays a portion of his benefits in his job. I paid a portion of insurance premiums even in the Army. Teachers should be no different in regards to benefits.
I am sure teachers won't like what I am saying on this topic, but how many workers in this city work full time and still can't afford insurance? How many teachers carry insurance but use their spouses' for whatever reason?
Bottom line, open insurance up for bidding with the insurance companies, they would trip over each other for a large group policy the size of OASD. And don't give me "collective bargaining" as an excuse, I don't buy it.
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Thanks for reading.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:55 PM MDT
First, teachers do pay a portion of their health insurance, second, comparing equal plans WEA has the cheapest premiums... sorry the facts don't fit the rhetoric
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 02:16 PM MDT
What portion do they pay? What is the co-pay.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 02:52 PM MDT
Teachers pay $1.00 per month toward their co-pay. Do you really expect they should pay more?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 03:05 PM MDT
If you are unhappy with your pay & benefits, unionize and change them, or change careers.
Do not fault others.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 03:25 PM MDT
When I am paying for "others", I have a say in what they get. It should be in line with the private sector.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 03:12 PM MDT
So does that mean you are willing to bring teacher's pay up to what they would be making in the private sector?
Didn't think so, just a lot of uninformed rhetoric
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 03:32 PM MDT
When discussing pay we have to add in benefits. Factor in benefits and the 3 months off and you have a deal better than anything in the private sector. How many teachers do you see leaving for the private sector?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 03:47 PM MDT
Excellent point! Rarely do they. Despite their hard work they still have it pretty good and considering the way most of us have to work for a iving they probably shouldn't complain too much.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 06:51 PM MDT
I actually work with several formal teachers.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 09:04 PM MDT
What does this even mean? Working with formal teachers?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 09:57 PM MDT
I am confused also. Can someone explain what this means?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, May 21 2005 @ 02:47 PM MDT
It is not 3 months off if you work through the second week in June and then start back the last week in August, that's about 9 weeks or 2 months and a week... I know many people in the private sector who get 5 weeks vacation and if you look at benefits and pay in the private sector for comparable work teachers' pay and benefits doesn't come close to matching the private sector, even if you add the extra 4 weeks of vacation.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, May 21 2005 @ 07:12 PM MDT
If things are so good in the private sector that some teachers are apparently upset, why aren't more of them leaving for the private sector? Seems like there should be a mass exodus if that's the case.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, May 22 2005 @ 07:13 PM MDT
Clearly you don't get the point, the posters on this site want to compare what people in the private sector get with teachers but they only want to compare the benefits part... if you compare both salary and benefits teacher compensation is probably comparable to the private sector, if you only compare health care benefits, teachers probably have better health care benefits, if you only compare salary then the private sector has better pay than teachers get. So if you want things to be comparable to the private sector, in overall compensation it already is, however I'm guessing what a lot of the posters to this site really want is to take away benefits and pay them less too...well NO ONE in their right might would bargain for that....
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 08:22 AM MDT
Don't blme others for goreing the Golden Calf called taxpayers? How dare you, Change jobs, unionize...when I am working two jobs and going to school. The two jobs pays for the tax increase (ie: your salaries and benefits and oh let us not forget collaberation time) and the school is because my previous job that gave me minium benefits at 130.00 per month with a front end co-pay of 1,500.00 per family member. Closed it's doors for bigger, greener and more 3rd world pastures. GREED as I like to call it. By the way, we aere UNION where in the hell were you UNION teachers not supporting us or our jobs, so we could continue to pay you guys.
Now you have the nerve to throw terms like don't blame us, unionize change jobs. WHERE? HOW?
GET A REAL JOB IN THE REAL WORLD...JERK!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 01:48 PM MDT
$1 per month, where do you get your so-called facts? it is closer to $50 per month plus co-pays for certain services
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 03:24 PM MDT
Teachers pay more for union dues than for health insurance!!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:12 PM MDT
This is the dumbest arguement I have ever heard.
If someone is doing something WRONG you shouldn't argue with them to possibly to get them to do the right thing. How else are you supposed to voice your opinion? Does the author think that everything that comes out of a teachers mouth is absolute truth? Of course we need to FIGHT THE TEACHERS UNION on this issue as they are the ones who are putting pressure on the school boards to get these changes made.
I would even suggest that there should be an open records request to get all the e-mails from all the board members who voted for this idioic school calendar to see who they have been corresponding with and who is putting these ideas into their heads.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:27 PM MDT
That is a great idea, to submit an open records request.....It is my understanding that members have to send or keep their records on their emails.....We will probably see Don Sweens emails to the heads of the teachers union as he is more representative to them than his few constituents--as your show pointed out yesterday also......
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:30 PM MDT
Teachers in Oshkosh earn almost $ 70,000 with benefits...And they retire, taxpayers pay what, 100% of their health insurance? Not bad for 9 months of the year and 30 hours per week!
And, did you see what they earn in summer school, up to $ 46 per hour! Sign me up!
But, hey, they are underpaid!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:36 PM MDT
So, you would rather have teachers make less?
How much less - why not drop your kids off at Wal-Mart and ask someone there to teach them.
Also, if you would like to become a teacher - go to school. Get a degree - and keep taking classes for the rest of your life. That is what teachers have to do.
I do not know a teacher that works under 50 hours a week. You are very mistaken. Teachers are dedicated professionals.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:51 PM MDT
Yes, teachers are very dedicated, and we appreciate their effort. We also compensate them very well for their work. 50 hours a week, I doubt it. Their work week is 35 hours. Your telling me they spend an extra 3 hours per work day, no way. Their benefit package is out of line with what taxpayers can afford. Corporations with those kinds of benefits are in financial ruin right now. Yet we just raise the taxes to keep the benefit levels up. We need to take a stand to get the teachers total compensation to a mangeable amount. And to top it all off they only work 9 months out of the year.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:58 PM MDT
$ 70,000 a year (including benefits)
9 months a year 35 hours a week (actually there is a 180 day school year)
180 days * 8 hours a day = 1440 hours (we will use a 40 hour work week not the contracted 35 hour work week)
$ 70,000.00 / 1440 (hours) = $ 48.61 Per Hour!!!
and they say teachers are underpaid...............
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 06:37 PM MDT
Lets not forget the insurance and retirement benefits.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:52 PM MDT
Actually teachers have a 190 day contract, but I can see that the facts mean very little on this website
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 06:06 PM MDT
We all wish we had 190 day contracts with 35 hour work weeks. Only in the world of government!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 02:06 PM MDT
why don't you try walking through any school in the district an hour after contract time and see how many teachers are still in their classrooms...most teachers work many more hours than the contracted 35...why it has become the fashion to bash teachers is beyond me, soon this district will no longer be able to attract quality teachers, why would anyone want to work in a community that shows so little respect... there are so many districts right here in the Fox Valley that value their teachers and pay them more too... but it is clear most of the posters on this site don't care about kids or education they just like to attack and complain... that will certainly help us maintain quality education
If you think it is so easy being a teacher why don't you get a teaching certificate and get a job instead of bash those people who have dedicated their lives to children. I realize I am wasting my time with those of you who have written such cruel and nasty things about people who devote many hours to trying to maintain a quality school system but I keep forgetting most of you don't know or care what that means
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 02:15 PM MDT
No one said it was an easy job. The fact that we feel their total compensation package is too high does not mean we do not appreciate the service they provide to our community. The fact is they are contracted to work 1330 hours per year while the rest of us work close to 2000 per year. Do you think that teachers are the only professionals who work extra hours? This is about compensation and what is reasonable to tax payers. We need to take a stand against the union. We can not afford the insurance and retirement benefits the teacher receive.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 03:36 PM MDT
As soon as you don't trip over yourself to pay teachers more, you are ANTI teacher......It is too bad so many have such a love for money that it always revolves around paying more for a service and increasing pay....Pay doesn't equate to success!
Look at districts to the south to validate this point!
And. did I hear the Board meeting correctly that Mr. Becker said some staff were making over $ 46.00 per hour to teacher summer school?......What a joke! And we wonder why there are budget deficits!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 08:18 PM MDT
$46.00 an hour. Thats $93,000 a year if they worked 40 hours per week. How many people do you know that make $93,000 a year and have a full pension and great insurance ?
And we are cutting student programs like intramural sports ?
This assinine behavior has to stop !!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 09:04 PM MDT
Becker was being loose with the numbers.
He was counting if they took their pay over a full year & then also got pay for summer school, then they would make that much for summer school.
It is irresponsible of him to misuse the numbers like that.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 07:09 AM MDT
Well loose with the numbers or not, you cannot deny the fact that teachers are being paid up to $40 some an hour to teach certain summer school classes. We should all be so lucky. One of them by the way is puppetry. That's really enhancing a child's education and will help pave the way to a college education.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 08:10 AM MDT
I can deny that - because it is not true.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 09:58 AM MDT
How can you prove it is not true? Do you know how much each idnividual teacher is making? Please show us the proof. At least wo other school board members, past and present, have confirmed it. That seems more believable than your claim.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, May 23 2005 @ 03:32 PM MDT
Dan Becker's numbers were from the resolution and indicated someone making 46 an hour for teaching.....Not including pension, etc....Nice gig!
I shuld go bak to schol to b a techr!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 24 2005 @ 05:40 AM MDT
What's your point?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 03:09 PM MDT
Do you even know what their total compensation package is?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 04:09 PM MDT
Perhaps during those hours of extra time the teachers are putting in they could carve out a little of it to do some collaborating with other teachers, especially since so many of them are still there. Teachers do work hard, no one is saying they don't. But this is about making lives easy for parents in an already difficult day and age, and keeping kids in the classroom for as many minutes as possible so they can get as good an education as possible. Surely these dedicated and devoted teachers want that for their students don't they? But when it becomes for the teachers more of a WE instead of the students issue, that's where we parents must draw the line. We are looking to our school board to make sure the line stays drawn. If they don't we will be forced to find someone who does.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, May 22 2005 @ 07:08 PM MDT
First, I would like to say I am disappointed in the amount of bickering between people on this site. Unfortunately, it is starting to resemble some school board meetings.
As for the current issues facing the school board, I have been fortunate enough to be able to see both sides of the issue. My mother was a teacher, my sister-in-law is a teacher, and I have many friends in the teaching profession. I have talked to trusted friends and relatives about this issue many times.
A School Board is an elected body of community representatives. They have a difficult, possibly thankless, job some of the time. Beyond these difficulties, they are supposed to represent the community and make the best decisions possible to benefit the education of our children. Our school board crossed the line when they failed to consider that the people of Oshkosh need a voice and have an opinion that is valuable. We too, want what is best for our children. The School Board has failed to be our voice on recent issues.
The Calendar is a relatively minor issue in the grand scheme of things. I realize that it makes life difficult for some people to find affordable after school care for their children. I realize that teachers need, and deserve, time for training and preparation to keep up with the No Child Left Behind Act. But the larger issue at hand is the lack of faith in the group of people that we all have to trust with the educational welfare of our children. If I can’t trust them to listen to the community on a relatively minor issue, what are the chances that they could listen to us if an even larger issue comes to the table. How can I trust them to inform the community far enough ahead of time to allow us to gather information and express our opinions prior to a vote?
I work in the research and development field. We create products that make people’s life easier. Therefore, I know for a fact that there is a creative solution to every issue. The trick is taking the time and effort to find that solution. If this were not the case, then items we take for granted every day would never have been invented. What would your life be like without cars, airplanes, disposable diapers, or soft toilet paper? Each example was a difficult issue that required creativity to invent. A big problem that I have with the school board is the unwillingness to look for these creative solutions. Every problem has a solution. Sometimes it does take time and compromise, but there is a creative solution somewhere. When the School Board members chose not to listen to Ben Schneider’s creative proposal, I found it completely unacceptable. I am not saying that he has the only creative solution, but at least he put forth the effort and took the feelings and needs of the entire community into consideration.
We need to show the school board that we do have a voice that needs to be heard. If we do nothing, then we are allowing history to repeat itself. Keep in mind that one of the largest issues in this community is not yet resolved – the school boundaries. If the school board does not feel the need to listen to us now, who is to say that they will listen to us when they discuss bussing our kids across town to elementary school? Who is to say that they will give us enough forewarning before voting on that issue? What if the board decides that extracurricular activities are hampering school performance? Would they vote to eliminate football? Basketball? Baseball? Would they tell us ahead of time?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:45 PM MDT
We dont nede no techers maken that much......I ain't got no edjucation and eye terned out ok!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:21 PM MDT
There are many careers that will benefit from the changes proposed above...
"Welcome to Wal-Mart" and "Would you like fries with that" come to mind....
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:23 PM MDT
The original poster was questioning administrators salaries not teachers.
One area that chaps me that most people probably don't think twice about is the paper waste within the school system. My student brings home on average 25 pieces of paper weekly. Most of it is for announcement about special days at school or selling misc. stuff. It almost always comes in day-glo colors. What a colossal waste! If the school system is buying this paper I cannot even imagine the costs involved system wide. And someone is copying all this stuff, so there is more than just paper costs involved. How about starting an e-mail process where we get this information via e-mail. Those without e-mail can opt out and get theres on paper. Having been in the paper business for many years, I sure hope some company is donating this paper. Day-glo paper is expensive! They teach recycling in school, but hardly practice it!
Jim B.(Offering a solution to a wasteful problem)
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:27 PM MDT
JimB -
Great comment, you are always level-headed....
Now for my snarky retort - maybe one of those many papers that were sent home were the survey that noone turned back in....?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:32 PM MDT
Yes finally a little humor!!! Thanks!
I am pretty sure the calendar questionaire was sent regular mail. But good point, it would be easy to miss one piece of 25 every week. One nice thing about it is I have not had to buy paper for my printer since September!
Jim B.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 07:46 PM MDT
And perhaps no one turned it in because it was written in such a way that is did not do much to encourage a response. Do we have the cracker-jack team of Blue Door Consulting to thank for that? Great PR work Oshkosh School Board of Education. Let's top playing games with our kids' education and future.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:58 PM MDT
gee, at my child's school paper is constantly recycled and envelopes are re-used until they fall apart, both sides of the paper are used and then it is cut up for scrap paper, how much time have you actually spent in our schools?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 17 2005 @ 11:09 PM MDT
Having graduated from this district not more than a handful of years ago... I'd ask you all to take a step back and examine ANYTHING from the viewpoints of the people who are truly affected: the students.
After 13 years in the OASD, I can state without hesitation that these teachers are dedicated. As an involved student I saw many of my teachers burning the midnight oil on many occasions.
From art teachers opening their rooms on weekends for work time to yearbook and newspaper advisers staying until 1 or 2 in the morning regularly, not one single solitary person in this community should ever be able to question if these teachers deserve the comparitively small salaries they receive.
Just take a moment to talk to students and maybe you will start to understand these devoted people you are trashing left and right.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 18 2005 @ 07:46 AM MDT
No one is trashing these teachers and no one is saying they are not dedicated. The issues are of boundaries within the district and making sure that pay and benefits are equitable but not excessive.
Have you noticed that some speakers at School Board meetings say, "this was on the DPI website." Have you ever checked to see what is on the Wisconsin DPI website? I have and I found that in the last several years, since 2002, while our calendar gets shorter and shorter, serious negative issues in our schools are rising. Since 2002-2003 school year (when our calendar was cut yet again) to this day, truancies, suspensions, expulsions, weapons and drug incidences in the schools (including elementary), drop outs, and non-graduates have gone up each year. The average ACT score and the number of students taking it has gone down. With the average ACT score being 22.5 in Oshkosh, the 60% of students wanting to go to college or tech/voc school will not get in ANY of them in this area.
The reason behind cutting classroom time was to save operating costs in the budget. How about freezing administrative salaries and auditing the number of staff assistants? How about standing up to the Teachers Union? How about allowing open bidding for health insurance (yes, insurance companies will do that)? How about putting the present and future of the students first?
I'm ready to walk the walk.
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:22 PM MDT
Boy, this lady should run for school board! She would have my vote!!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:26 PM MDT
Yea - rather than working with the teachers, we should fight with them.
She sure will get alot done.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:34 PM MDT
We shouldn't fight them as you implied.....And no one is.....I don't see any black eyes while I am at the bar on Friday and the teachers are there "collaberating".......
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:37 PM MDT
I sure hope you've reported those teachers at the bar who should be collaborating...
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 01:44 PM MDT
Maybe the teachers should stop worrying about dollars collaborating in their wallets/purses, and start worrying about educating children.
I hope anyone that runs for School Board will stop this runaway train (the teachers at the money/benefits trough.)
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:23 PM MDT
For the recoerd, if you compare teacher wages to any other profession requiring a similar level of education - you will find teachers make much less.
Also, name another profession where you use your own money to buy supplies for work.
Our teachers are underappreciated, underpaid and under attack.
We need better pay for our teachers. You need to appreciate more the things that they do for your children.
Everyone here should take a deep look into themselves and figure out if they really mean the attacks on dedicated teachers we keep hearing.
They are not the villians here.
Whoever this lady is needs to stay far away from education - unless it is to get some for herself.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:53 PM MDT
Are you forgetting to add the health insurance and retirement benefits into the total compensation package. There is more than just wages!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:54 PM MDT
Here we go again with attacks on people who are running for political office. Sounds to me like those already in office and under attack (and those who support them) don't want the competition. Get real folks. Challengers are coming and your time is UP! This woman has my vote.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 07:02 AM MDT
I am a licensed teacher in the state of Wisconsin. I worked my first teaching job for free because any salary I made went back into my classroom.
I agree that teachers are underpaid and underappreciated. However, it is the ridiculously expensive benefit packages and ridiculously high salaries of administrators, assistant administrators, and assistant to the assistant administrators I have a hard time swallowing. I think we can all do better for our children since they are the ones who will be wiping our drool in the future.
---
Thanks for reading.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 09:06 AM MDT
Michelle,
You had me until, you stated you were a teacher! There are those of us that supported Don Sween a retired teacher, because he said he could be FAIR and look at the issues facing our district. He has shown us that he lied. Once a teacher always a teacher. This has had little to do with the students EVER...if it had all teachers would want to be in front of "their" kids educating them for a demanding future. So from now on when we speak of what is best for the children can we be honest?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 12:55 PM MDT
In a past career, I also sold insurance. Are you going to tell me that that will sway how I would vote on benefits issues? (FYI I hate the BS insurance companies hand out.)
I also sold radio advertising. Am I in cahoots with the FCC? NO!
I sold shoes at Walmart. Does that mean I am going to vote for school uniforms with Gucci shoes? NO!
I was a hospital housekeeping aide at a Christian Hospital. Does that mean I will violate separation of church and state and push for prayer in the schools? I prayed every day when the bell rang, but I would never force my beliefs on anyone else.
I am sorry you feel the way you do. I would have liked everyone's support, but I can't please everyone all the time. I can only do what is best for my four children, my neighbor's children, and all their friends. For their future.
Us against them is not what I am about. I am about doing what is right and I do not agree with the teachers union. Thanks to the State teachers union, I had my first teaching job for six months, performed miracles with those kids and was laid off because of budget cuts. Cuts that came primarily from older teachers demanding more money than they deserved. BTW my contract was for $26,000, I got $13,000 minus taxes, minus partial insurance, minus gas for the two hour drive there and two hour drive home, minus classroom supplies, minus daycare, etc.
Instead of assuming (we all know what that means), how about talking to me and asking my views on issues that concern you and not assuming (there's that word again) that I am like everyone else you distrust. My name is Monte, not Sween, not Bowen, not Kavanaugh nor McDermott, and certainly not Weinsheim.
---
Thanks for reading.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:40 PM MDT
So, you can't hold down a job?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: admin on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 02:22 PM MDT
Here we go again with people who view things differently apparently having to attack their "opponent." I think your response to this woman about her alleged inability to hold down a job is in extremely poor taste and ompletely uncalled for. Many people have done a lot of different things in their lifetime if they started working at age 15 or 16 like many of us did. Your attack on her and snide comment are exactly what's wrong with the political process. Why don't you try to not attack people just because they don't share your political beliefs? Presenting yourself as you just did does nothing but make you look foolish and uneducated.
Cheryl Hentz
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 03:22 PM MDT
Michelle:
I am a ""main stream" person and I can assure you, if you run, I will fully support you and get as many as I can to support you and get the "big spenders" off the board....Your background and the fact you have had more than a few jobs only broadens your appeal....Thanks for publicly taking on this challenge rather than hide behind an anonymous account and bomb throw like the person who is attempting to character assassinate.....Note, I am unnamed but I don't bomb throw!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 06:03 PM MDT
Thank you. I am running in April (or sooner). I hope I can shake your hand some day just for giving me a chance and not being quick to judge those whom you do not know. Thanks again.
---
Thanks for reading.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 07:16 AM MDT
I heard in a school board meeting that Monte was a Veteran. Still think once a teacher, always a teacher. How about Semper Fi?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 10:15 AM MDT
Michelle,
You stated you feel teachers are underpaid. How do yuo feel about the benefits they receive?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:10 PM MDT
I feel teachers are underpaid only in that most new teachers are forced to purchase supplies for their students and classrooms as there are not enough funds in their school's budget. The short period of time that I was a teacher, I wished I had made more ($26,000/yr), but wish in one hand and put manure in the other and see what fills up first. It sucked working eight hours or more, driving four hours, and spending another four or more hours a night correcting papers, writing lesson plans, preparing lesson books and materials just in case I need a sub, and lying awake wondering if the girl who came to school with the side of her face bruised is going to be in school tomorrow. I loved teaching and I knew that was the situation when I chose the career and I do not regret a second or a dollar spent.
As far as benefits? Fully paid insurance and retirement should not be a given (nor should raises). Benefits should be earned (retirement and raises) and insurance should be opened to bidding and should be paid the same way any other business does it. My husband pays a portion of his benefits in his job. I paid a portion of insurance premiums even in the Army. Teachers should be no different in regards to benefits.
I am sure teachers won't like what I am saying on this topic, but how many workers in this city work full time and still can't afford insurance? How many teachers carry insurance but use their spouses' for whatever reason?
Bottom line, open insurance up for bidding with the insurance companies, they would trip over each other for a large group policy the size of OASD. And don't give me "collective bargaining" as an excuse, I don't buy it.
---
Thanks for reading.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:55 PM MDT
First, teachers do pay a portion of their health insurance, second, comparing equal plans WEA has the cheapest premiums... sorry the facts don't fit the rhetoric
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 02:16 PM MDT
What portion do they pay? What is the co-pay.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 02:52 PM MDT
Teachers pay $1.00 per month toward their co-pay. Do you really expect they should pay more?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 03:05 PM MDT
If you are unhappy with your pay & benefits, unionize and change them, or change careers.
Do not fault others.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 03:25 PM MDT
When I am paying for "others", I have a say in what they get. It should be in line with the private sector.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 03:12 PM MDT
So does that mean you are willing to bring teacher's pay up to what they would be making in the private sector?
Didn't think so, just a lot of uninformed rhetoric
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 03:32 PM MDT
When discussing pay we have to add in benefits. Factor in benefits and the 3 months off and you have a deal better than anything in the private sector. How many teachers do you see leaving for the private sector?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 03:47 PM MDT
Excellent point! Rarely do they. Despite their hard work they still have it pretty good and considering the way most of us have to work for a iving they probably shouldn't complain too much.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 06:51 PM MDT
I actually work with several formal teachers.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 09:04 PM MDT
What does this even mean? Working with formal teachers?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 09:57 PM MDT
I am confused also. Can someone explain what this means?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, May 21 2005 @ 02:47 PM MDT
It is not 3 months off if you work through the second week in June and then start back the last week in August, that's about 9 weeks or 2 months and a week... I know many people in the private sector who get 5 weeks vacation and if you look at benefits and pay in the private sector for comparable work teachers' pay and benefits doesn't come close to matching the private sector, even if you add the extra 4 weeks of vacation.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, May 21 2005 @ 07:12 PM MDT
If things are so good in the private sector that some teachers are apparently upset, why aren't more of them leaving for the private sector? Seems like there should be a mass exodus if that's the case.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, May 22 2005 @ 07:13 PM MDT
Clearly you don't get the point, the posters on this site want to compare what people in the private sector get with teachers but they only want to compare the benefits part... if you compare both salary and benefits teacher compensation is probably comparable to the private sector, if you only compare health care benefits, teachers probably have better health care benefits, if you only compare salary then the private sector has better pay than teachers get. So if you want things to be comparable to the private sector, in overall compensation it already is, however I'm guessing what a lot of the posters to this site really want is to take away benefits and pay them less too...well NO ONE in their right might would bargain for that....
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 08:22 AM MDT
Don't blme others for goreing the Golden Calf called taxpayers? How dare you, Change jobs, unionize...when I am working two jobs and going to school. The two jobs pays for the tax increase (ie: your salaries and benefits and oh let us not forget collaberation time) and the school is because my previous job that gave me minium benefits at 130.00 per month with a front end co-pay of 1,500.00 per family member. Closed it's doors for bigger, greener and more 3rd world pastures. GREED as I like to call it. By the way, we aere UNION where in the hell were you UNION teachers not supporting us or our jobs, so we could continue to pay you guys.
Now you have the nerve to throw terms like don't blame us, unionize change jobs. WHERE? HOW?
GET A REAL JOB IN THE REAL WORLD...JERK!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 01:48 PM MDT
$1 per month, where do you get your so-called facts? it is closer to $50 per month plus co-pays for certain services
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 03:24 PM MDT
Teachers pay more for union dues than for health insurance!!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:12 PM MDT
This is the dumbest arguement I have ever heard.
If someone is doing something WRONG you shouldn't argue with them to possibly to get them to do the right thing. How else are you supposed to voice your opinion? Does the author think that everything that comes out of a teachers mouth is absolute truth? Of course we need to FIGHT THE TEACHERS UNION on this issue as they are the ones who are putting pressure on the school boards to get these changes made.
I would even suggest that there should be an open records request to get all the e-mails from all the board members who voted for this idioic school calendar to see who they have been corresponding with and who is putting these ideas into their heads.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:27 PM MDT
That is a great idea, to submit an open records request.....It is my understanding that members have to send or keep their records on their emails.....We will probably see Don Sweens emails to the heads of the teachers union as he is more representative to them than his few constituents--as your show pointed out yesterday also......
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:30 PM MDT
Teachers in Oshkosh earn almost $ 70,000 with benefits...And they retire, taxpayers pay what, 100% of their health insurance? Not bad for 9 months of the year and 30 hours per week!
And, did you see what they earn in summer school, up to $ 46 per hour! Sign me up!
But, hey, they are underpaid!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:36 PM MDT
So, you would rather have teachers make less?
How much less - why not drop your kids off at Wal-Mart and ask someone there to teach them.
Also, if you would like to become a teacher - go to school. Get a degree - and keep taking classes for the rest of your life. That is what teachers have to do.
I do not know a teacher that works under 50 hours a week. You are very mistaken. Teachers are dedicated professionals.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:51 PM MDT
Yes, teachers are very dedicated, and we appreciate their effort. We also compensate them very well for their work. 50 hours a week, I doubt it. Their work week is 35 hours. Your telling me they spend an extra 3 hours per work day, no way. Their benefit package is out of line with what taxpayers can afford. Corporations with those kinds of benefits are in financial ruin right now. Yet we just raise the taxes to keep the benefit levels up. We need to take a stand to get the teachers total compensation to a mangeable amount. And to top it all off they only work 9 months out of the year.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:58 PM MDT
$ 70,000 a year (including benefits)
9 months a year 35 hours a week (actually there is a 180 day school year)
180 days * 8 hours a day = 1440 hours (we will use a 40 hour work week not the contracted 35 hour work week)
$ 70,000.00 / 1440 (hours) = $ 48.61 Per Hour!!!
and they say teachers are underpaid...............
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 06:37 PM MDT
Lets not forget the insurance and retirement benefits.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:52 PM MDT
Actually teachers have a 190 day contract, but I can see that the facts mean very little on this website
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 06:06 PM MDT
We all wish we had 190 day contracts with 35 hour work weeks. Only in the world of government!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 02:06 PM MDT
why don't you try walking through any school in the district an hour after contract time and see how many teachers are still in their classrooms...most teachers work many more hours than the contracted 35...why it has become the fashion to bash teachers is beyond me, soon this district will no longer be able to attract quality teachers, why would anyone want to work in a community that shows so little respect... there are so many districts right here in the Fox Valley that value their teachers and pay them more too... but it is clear most of the posters on this site don't care about kids or education they just like to attack and complain... that will certainly help us maintain quality education
If you think it is so easy being a teacher why don't you get a teaching certificate and get a job instead of bash those people who have dedicated their lives to children. I realize I am wasting my time with those of you who have written such cruel and nasty things about people who devote many hours to trying to maintain a quality school system but I keep forgetting most of you don't know or care what that means
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 02:15 PM MDT
No one said it was an easy job. The fact that we feel their total compensation package is too high does not mean we do not appreciate the service they provide to our community. The fact is they are contracted to work 1330 hours per year while the rest of us work close to 2000 per year. Do you think that teachers are the only professionals who work extra hours? This is about compensation and what is reasonable to tax payers. We need to take a stand against the union. We can not afford the insurance and retirement benefits the teacher receive.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 03:36 PM MDT
As soon as you don't trip over yourself to pay teachers more, you are ANTI teacher......It is too bad so many have such a love for money that it always revolves around paying more for a service and increasing pay....Pay doesn't equate to success!
Look at districts to the south to validate this point!
And. did I hear the Board meeting correctly that Mr. Becker said some staff were making over $ 46.00 per hour to teacher summer school?......What a joke! And we wonder why there are budget deficits!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 08:18 PM MDT
$46.00 an hour. Thats $93,000 a year if they worked 40 hours per week. How many people do you know that make $93,000 a year and have a full pension and great insurance ?
And we are cutting student programs like intramural sports ?
This assinine behavior has to stop !!!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 09:04 PM MDT
Becker was being loose with the numbers.
He was counting if they took their pay over a full year & then also got pay for summer school, then they would make that much for summer school.
It is irresponsible of him to misuse the numbers like that.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 07:09 AM MDT
Well loose with the numbers or not, you cannot deny the fact that teachers are being paid up to $40 some an hour to teach certain summer school classes. We should all be so lucky. One of them by the way is puppetry. That's really enhancing a child's education and will help pave the way to a college education.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 08:10 AM MDT
I can deny that - because it is not true.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 09:58 AM MDT
How can you prove it is not true? Do you know how much each idnividual teacher is making? Please show us the proof. At least wo other school board members, past and present, have confirmed it. That seems more believable than your claim.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, May 23 2005 @ 03:32 PM MDT
Dan Becker's numbers were from the resolution and indicated someone making 46 an hour for teaching.....Not including pension, etc....Nice gig!
I shuld go bak to schol to b a techr!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 24 2005 @ 05:40 AM MDT
What's your point?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, May 20 2005 @ 03:09 PM MDT
Do you even know what their total compensation package is?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, May 19 2005 @ 04:09 PM MDT
Perhaps during those hours of extra time the teachers are putting in they could carve out a little of it to do some collaborating with other teachers, especially since so many of them are still there. Teachers do work hard, no one is saying they don't. But this is about making lives easy for parents in an already difficult day and age, and keeping kids in the classroom for as many minutes as possible so they can get as good an education as possible. Surely these dedicated and devoted teachers want that for their students don't they? But when it becomes for the teachers more of a WE instead of the students issue, that's where we parents must draw the line. We are looking to our school board to make sure the line stays drawn. If they don't we will be forced to find someone who does.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, May 22 2005 @ 07:08 PM MDT
First, I would like to say I am disappointed in the amount of bickering between people on this site. Unfortunately, it is starting to resemble some school board meetings.
As for the current issues facing the school board, I have been fortunate enough to be able to see both sides of the issue. My mother was a teacher, my sister-in-law is a teacher, and I have many friends in the teaching profession. I have talked to trusted friends and relatives about this issue many times.
A School Board is an elected body of community representatives. They have a difficult, possibly thankless, job some of the time. Beyond these difficulties, they are supposed to represent the community and make the best decisions possible to benefit the education of our children. Our school board crossed the line when they failed to consider that the people of Oshkosh need a voice and have an opinion that is valuable. We too, want what is best for our children. The School Board has failed to be our voice on recent issues.
The Calendar is a relatively minor issue in the grand scheme of things. I realize that it makes life difficult for some people to find affordable after school care for their children. I realize that teachers need, and deserve, time for training and preparation to keep up with the No Child Left Behind Act. But the larger issue at hand is the lack of faith in the group of people that we all have to trust with the educational welfare of our children. If I can’t trust them to listen to the community on a relatively minor issue, what are the chances that they could listen to us if an even larger issue comes to the table. How can I trust them to inform the community far enough ahead of time to allow us to gather information and express our opinions prior to a vote?
I work in the research and development field. We create products that make people’s life easier. Therefore, I know for a fact that there is a creative solution to every issue. The trick is taking the time and effort to find that solution. If this were not the case, then items we take for granted every day would never have been invented. What would your life be like without cars, airplanes, disposable diapers, or soft toilet paper? Each example was a difficult issue that required creativity to invent. A big problem that I have with the school board is the unwillingness to look for these creative solutions. Every problem has a solution. Sometimes it does take time and compromise, but there is a creative solution somewhere. When the School Board members chose not to listen to Ben Schneider’s creative proposal, I found it completely unacceptable. I am not saying that he has the only creative solution, but at least he put forth the effort and took the feelings and needs of the entire community into consideration.
We need to show the school board that we do have a voice that needs to be heard. If we do nothing, then we are allowing history to repeat itself. Keep in mind that one of the largest issues in this community is not yet resolved – the school boundaries. If the school board does not feel the need to listen to us now, who is to say that they will listen to us when they discuss bussing our kids across town to elementary school? Who is to say that they will give us enough forewarning before voting on that issue? What if the board decides that extracurricular activities are hampering school performance? Would they vote to eliminate football? Basketball? Baseball? Would they tell us ahead of time?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 02:45 PM MDT
We dont nede no techers maken that much......I ain't got no edjucation and eye terned out ok!
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:21 PM MDT
There are many careers that will benefit from the changes proposed above...
"Welcome to Wal-Mart" and "Would you like fries with that" come to mind....
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:23 PM MDT
The original poster was questioning administrators salaries not teachers.
One area that chaps me that most people probably don't think twice about is the paper waste within the school system. My student brings home on average 25 pieces of paper weekly. Most of it is for announcement about special days at school or selling misc. stuff. It almost always comes in day-glo colors. What a colossal waste! If the school system is buying this paper I cannot even imagine the costs involved system wide. And someone is copying all this stuff, so there is more than just paper costs involved. How about starting an e-mail process where we get this information via e-mail. Those without e-mail can opt out and get theres on paper. Having been in the paper business for many years, I sure hope some company is donating this paper. Day-glo paper is expensive! They teach recycling in school, but hardly practice it!
Jim B.(Offering a solution to a wasteful problem)
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:27 PM MDT
JimB -
Great comment, you are always level-headed....
Now for my snarky retort - maybe one of those many papers that were sent home were the survey that noone turned back in....?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 03:32 PM MDT
Yes finally a little humor!!! Thanks!
I am pretty sure the calendar questionaire was sent regular mail. But good point, it would be easy to miss one piece of 25 every week. One nice thing about it is I have not had to buy paper for my printer since September!
Jim B.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17 2005 @ 07:46 PM MDT
And perhaps no one turned it in because it was written in such a way that is did not do much to encourage a response. Do we have the cracker-jack team of Blue Door Consulting to thank for that? Great PR work Oshkosh School Board of Education. Let's top playing games with our kids' education and future.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18 2005 @ 01:58 PM MDT
gee, at my child's school paper is constantly recycled and envelopes are re-used until they fall apart, both sides of the paper are used and then it is cut up for scrap paper, how much time have you actually spent in our schools?
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 17 2005 @ 11:09 PM MDT
Having graduated from this district not more than a handful of years ago... I'd ask you all to take a step back and examine ANYTHING from the viewpoints of the people who are truly affected: the students.
After 13 years in the OASD, I can state without hesitation that these teachers are dedicated. As an involved student I saw many of my teachers burning the midnight oil on many occasions.
From art teachers opening their rooms on weekends for work time to yearbook and newspaper advisers staying until 1 or 2 in the morning regularly, not one single solitary person in this community should ever be able to question if these teachers deserve the comparitively small salaries they receive.
Just take a moment to talk to students and maybe you will start to understand these devoted people you are trashing left and right.
Repercussions of the School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 18 2005 @ 07:46 AM MDT
No one is trashing these teachers and no one is saying they are not dedicated. The issues are of boundaries within the district and making sure that pay and benefits are equitable but not excessive.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 12:50 PM
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