Recaller Taints West Bend Memorial Day Parade

Our family attended the Memorial Day parade in West Bend.  We witnessed many, many servicemen, young and old, representing all branches of service.  We were humbled by their presence and honored to be the recipient of the freedom that comes with sacrifice.  Vintage cars, military vehicles, new 'vettes passed by.  Elected officials walked, waved and lent time to honor this day of remembrance.

And then there was the lone recaller......

An older man riding a three-wheeled bike.

He had a large sign across the back of his cycle that read "Recall Walker."

Shame.

A true spoiler to a solemn and honorable event.

Who let this happen?

Here are a few pics of those who served, along with a "thank you" to all military personnel, past and present.

How Wisconsin's Left Embraces Chaos

Curtsy, McIver Institute:

A Letter to......Santa? Recalling catching on in WI!

Traveling through south central Wisconsin, I sighted latest in the recall fad.  A bit out of season, but I must admit, it sounds quite genuine.  And it's as reasonable as the Walker recall, really.  :::snarky laugh:::

Somewhere 13 miles north of Gotham...

WEAC and DPI = Sexualization of Wisconsin's Schoolchildren

Time for concern.

If you are not aware of the campaign to sexualize minor children in some of Wisconsin's public schools, you might want to scroll through the items posted below such as:

1)  WEAC's $325,000 donation to Defeat the One Man-One Woman Traditional Marriage Amendment in 2006

2)  WEAC's support for Planned Parenthood's Sex Ed Mandate last Session

3)  WEAC's opposition to the Pro-Family/Parents' Rights bill this Session to repeal Planned Parenthood's Mandate

4)  Internal memos sent through the Capitol about what is happening at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction which is headed by Tony Evers.

5)  An email that was forwarded to us from a member of the American Family Association about an incident that took place in the Shawano School District

Taxpaying parents, are these the values you want taught to underage children with your tax dollars?

"RECALL WEAC" Coming Soon to a Billboard near YOU

It's about time.

VIA CHANNEL 3000:   

MADISON, Wis. -- A billboard along the Beltline is getting drivers' attention with a message targeting the Education Association Council, the state's largest teachers union.The new sign appeared over the weekend, with the quote, "When schoolchildren start paying union dues, I'll start representing schoolchildren." Below the quote is a web address for a group calling itself Recall WEAC, recently formed as a political action committee.

Read entire article HERE. 


Watch local news WMSN FOX 47report HERE.

The Cost of Collective Bargaining

The Cost of Collective Bargaining

Example #1 – The $150,000 Bus Driver

In 2009, the City of Madison’s highest paid employee was a bus driver who earned $159,258, including $109,892 in overtime, guaranteed by a collective bargaining agreement. In total, seven City of Madison bus drivers made more than $100,000 per year in 2009.

"That's the (drivers') contract," said Transit and Parking Commission Chairman Gary Poulson.

Source: Wisconsin State Journal, 2/7/10

Example #2 – $800,000 for “Free” Viagra

Milwaukee Public Schools attempted to drop from its health insurance plan coverage of Viagra, saving $786,000 per year, enough to pay up to a dozen teachers. The teachers union sued the district to regain coverage.

Source: ABC News, 8/12/10

Example #3 – A Year’s Worth of Pay for 30 Days of Work

Under the Green Bay School District’s collectively bargained Emeritus Program, teaches can retire and receive a year’s worth of salary for working only 30 days over a three year period. This is paid in addition to their already guaranteed pension and health care payouts.

Source: WLUK-TV, 3/3/11

Example #4 – $150,000 Correctional Officers

Correctional Officer collective bargaining agreements allow officers a practice known as “sick leave stacking.” Officers can call in sick for a shift, receiving 8 hours of sick pay, and then are allowed to work the very next shift, earning time-and-a-half for overtime. This results in the officer receiving 2.5 times his or her rate of pay, while still only working 8 hours.

In part because of these practices, 13 correctional officers made more than $100,000 in 2009, despite earning base wages of less than $60,000 per year. The officers received an average of $66,000 in overtime pay for an average annual salary of more than $123,000 with the highest paid receiving $151,181.

Source: Department of Corrections

Example #5 – ‘Outstanding First Year Teacher’ Laid Off

Milwaukee Public Schools teacher Megan Sampson was laid off less than one week after being named Outstanding First Year Teacher by the Wisconsin Council of English Teachers. She lost her job because the collective bargaining agreement requires layoffs to be made based on seniority rather than merit.

Informed that her union had rejected a lower-cost health care plan, that still would have required zero contribution from teachers, Sampson said, “Given the opportunity, of course I would switch to a different plan to save my job, or the jobs of 10 other teachers.

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/14/10

Example #6 – Taxpayers Pay $68 Million for Union Health Insurance Monopoly

An updated review of a 2005 WPRI study concluded that school districts could save $68 million by switching from their expensive WEA Trust insurance plans to the state health insurance plan. Switching to a competitively priced private sector plan would save more money still. Collective bargaining agreements effectively give the teachers union a veto over any effort to change providers, however. As a result, WEA Trust insures about two-thirds of Wisconsin’s school districts.

Source: WPRI, WASB, ETF, DPI, WEA Trust

Example #7 – Arbitrator Reinstates Porn-Watching Teacher

A Cedarburg school teacher was reinstated by an arbitrator after being fired for viewing pornography on a school computer. The school district ultimately succeeded in terminating the teacher only after taking the case to the Wisconsin Supreme Court at great cost to the taxpayers.

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/23/08

Example #8 – Taxpayers Pay 800 Government Employees to Conduct Union Business

In 2010, the state allowed paid time off for 805 employees to conduct union business. Total cost to the taxpayers was $433,333.

Source: Office of State Employment Relations

Example #9 – Union Opposes Cost-Saving Lawn Mowing Program

As a cost cutting measure, Racine County began using county inmates to cut the grass in medians and right-of-ways at no cost to the taxpayers. A county employee union filed a grievance indicating it was the right of government workers to cut the grass, even though it would cost the taxpayers dramatically more.

Source: Racine Journal Times, 5/12/10

Example #10 – $6,000 Extra for Carrying a Pager

Some state employees, due to the nature of their positions, are required to carry pagers during off-duty hours in order to respond to emergency situations. Due to the collective bargaining agreements, these employees are compensated an extra five hours of pay each week, whether they are paged or not.

For an employee earning an average salary of $50,000 per year, this requirement can cost more than $6,000 in additional compensation.

Source: 2008-09 Agreement between the State of Wisconsin and AFSCME Council 24

Example #11 – No Volunteer Crossing Guards Allowed

A Wausau public employee union filed a grievance to prohibit a local volunteer from serving as a school crossing guard. The 86-year-old lives just two blocks away and serves everyday free of charge.

Principal Steve Miller says, "He said, you know, this gives me a reason to get up in the morning to come and help these kids in the neighborhood."

But for a local union that represents crossing guards, it isn't that simple. Representatives didn't want to go on camera but say if a crossing guard is needed, then one should be officially hired by the city.

Source: WAOW-TV, 1/27/10

Walker's Faith Makes Him a Dangerous Man

Heh. This is not your average lefty. This is what I would call a lefty with a handicap. If there is anything that Walker has done well, it's been follow through with integrity. Wonder where he gets that from? Hmmmm....could it be........JESUS?????

Curtsy Marsha S., Brookfield -

From Diana Butler Bass via the Huffington Post:

As the stand off between workers and Governor Scott Walker continues in Wisconsin, religious leaders have weighed in on the dispute. Roman Catholic bishops came out on the side of the unions, urging the governor to protect worker's rights. Many mainline pastors, including Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregationalists, and American Baptists have written letters, issued statements, and preached sermons supporting labor, unions, and collective bargaining. In Madison, interfaith prayers and proclamations have upheld and encouraged the teachers, police, firefighters, and other public employees in their resistance to the governor's plan to break their union.

This is an impressive religious group by any standards--particularly so in Wisconsin where traditional faith still plays an important role in the life of a large number of its citizens. Wisconsin is almost evenly split between the three largest American religious groups: 29% are Roman Catholics; 24% are evangelical Protestants; and 23% are mainline Protestants.

Yet none of these prayers or sermons has swayed Scott Walker. He has steadfastly stayed on his original course, unfazed by the full weight of Roman Catholic authority or the mainline social justice tradition pressing upon him and urging him toward compromise and change.
Scott Walker is neither Roman Catholic nor a mainline churchgoer. The son of a Baptist pastor, born in Colorado Springs, the heartland of the Religious Right, Walker is a member of Meadowbrook Church in Wauwatosa, a non-denominational evangelical church. Meadowbrook's statement of faith, a fairly typical boilerplate of conservative evangelical theology, includes beliefs in biblical inerrancy, sin, exclusive salvation through Christ, and eternal damnation.

In other words, Scott Walker does not give a rip about pronouncements by the Roman Catholic Church, any Lutheran, Episcopal, or Methodist bishop, or the Protestant social justice pastors. These religious authorities, steeped in centuries of theology and Christian ethics mean absolutely nothing in Scott Walker's world. His spiritual universe is that of 20th century fundamentalism, in its softer evangelical form, a vision that emphasizes "me and Jesus" and personal salvation.

Before he was elected governor, Walker shared his testimony with a group of Christian businessmen. In it, he said that his religious life was expressed in the words of an old hymn, "Trust and Obey." From childhood onward, Walker recounted how God specifically directed his life, how he had learned to trust that direction, and how he sought to obey Christ in all things and at all times. He related the biblical story of the apostle Peter in a boat, whom Jesus directed to walk on the water. At first, Peter followed Jesus and did, indeed, walk upon water. But Peter became fearful and sank. According to Walker, this is a parable of the whole Christian life. If you "fail to trust and obey," Walker said, "You sink." Doubt is not allowed. Only obedience.

This is the same sort of evangelical spirituality that shaped George W. Bush--and led to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Once you know God's direction, no change is allowed. Doubt opens the door to failure. Obeying Christ's plan is the only option. In this theological universe, hard-headedness is a virtue, compromise is the work of the Devil, and anything that works to accomplish God's plan is considered ethically justifiable.

In other words, the Catholic bishops and mainline pastors--as well as the Quakers, Jews, Buddhists, and others--who have been trying to convince the governor to shift course are pretty well preaching in the wind. Other than David Koch (fake or otherwise), Walker is listening to One Person and One Person only: Jesus speaking directly to him. God, evidently, has directed him on his current path. Scott's just trusting and obeying. He bears no responsibility other than that.

Unlike the Roman Catholics and traditional Protestants who have spoken on behalf of the laborers, Walker has no spiritual "check" on him, no authority other than the ones he hears in his own head, and no moral culpability in this situation. He's the good Christian soldier, just following God's lead.

And this is why Scott Walker's religion is actually dangerous in the public square. Because it lacks the ability to compromise, it is profoundly anti-democratic. Many faith traditions actually possess deep spiritual resources that allow them to participate in pluralistic, democratic, and creative political change. But those sort of traditions tend emphasize the love of God and neighbor over strict obedience to an unyielding Father God. Despite anything Scott Walker might say, the confident dictum of the old hymn, "Trust and Obey" is not the best way to govern a state.

Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/christianityfortherestofus/#ixzz1F0NKlm6K

Teachers Unions explained

Unions Supporting Boycott of Wisconsin Companies

Just an FYI so you know where to consider doing business -

Curtsy Boots and Sabers:

Don’t give any of them a dime or any business. Tell your friends.

Political Action Committees ($5000 or more in contributions)

* ABCPAC-WIS
* AT&T Wisconsin Employee PAC (formerly SBC)
* Building a Better WI/Wisconsin Builders Association
* Concerned Realtors Committee
* Deere & Company PAC - WI
* Eli Lilly and Company PAC
* FONEPAC Telecommunications & Computers
* Friends & Neighbors of Robin Vos
* Friends of Alberta Darling
* HNTB Holdings Ltd PAC
* KochPAC Natural Resources
* Managed Health Services/Centene PAC

* Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
* Operating Engineers 139 PAC
* People for Rebecca Kleefisch
* Realtors PAC
* Republican Party Milwaukee Co
* Republican Party of Wisconsin
* Tavern Industry PAC
* TDS Telecom
* Wal-Mart Stores/WAL-PAC
* WellPAC Wellpoint Inc
* WI Credit Union League Action Fund (WCULAF)
* WI Dental PAC (WIDPAC)
* WI Insurance Alliance PAC
* WI Pipe Trades PAC

Employers ($5000 or morein contributions)

* ABC Supply Co
* Agrecol Corp
* Allen Edmonds Shoes
* AMK Concepts & Services
* Anew Health Care Services Inc
* AO Smith Corp
* Apache Stainless Steel
* Artisan Partners
* Atlantic DQ
* Audio Implements/GKC
* Badger Meter
* Baraboo Growth
* Bevco Ergonomic Seating
* Blomquist Benefits Consulting
* Boerke Co Inc
* Bradley Foundation
Brian Retzlaff Trucking
* Briggs & Stratton
* Burke Properties
* Burlington Northern Santa Fe.
* Call Solutions
* Campbell Wrapper Corp
* Carpenter
* CD Smith Construction
* Chambers & Owen
* Charro Restaurante
* Charter Manufacturing
* Church Mutual Insurance
* Cobalt Partners LLC
* Commonwealth Development Corp.
* Continental Properties Co Inc
* County Concrete
* Couri Insurance Agency
* Custom Pak Products
* EBY-Brown Co
* Einhorn Associates
* Emergency Medicine Specialists
* Endeavors Group
* Fabco Equipment Inc
* Fashion Angels Enterprises
* Feather Larson & Synhorst.
* Fiduciary Management
* First American Funding
* Fisher Barton Inc
* Glenora Co
* GMR Marketing
* Gogebic Taconite LLC
* Gold Leaf Development
* Hal Leonard Publishing
* Hammes Co
* Harris Associates
* Hay Creek Pallett
* Heartland Advisors
* Hexagon Investments
* High Crossing Development Corp
* Holton Brothers Construction
* Horton Group
* Hovde Financial
* Hy Cite Corp
* I-Robot
* Iconica
* Inpro Corp
* Insight Industries

* Irgens Development Partners
* Johnson Controls
* Johnsonville Foods
* JSD Professional Services Inc
* Kapur & Associates
* KBS Construction
* Koss Corp
* Krier Foods
* Kwik Trip
* Lorman Education Services
* Lubar & Co
* M&I Bank
* Meissner, Tierney, et al
* Michels Corp
* Midwest Neurosurgical
* Milksource
* MillerCoors
* Minnesota Wild
* MJ Construction Inc
* Morrison Creek Cranberry
* Nicholas Company Inc
* Nova Surgical LLC
* Orthopaedic Associates of.
* PACUR
* Panduit Corp
* Paper Machinery Corp
* Payne & Dolan
* Pinstripe Inc
* Plastic Surgery Group
* Prent Corp
* Promotions Unlimited
* RCI FirstPathway Partners
* Reiman Publications
* Richardson Industries
* Rite Hite Corp
* Roehl Transport
* Salomon Smith Barney
* Sargento Inc
* SC Johnson & Sons
* Schneider National
* School choice
* Sendik’s Food Market
* Shannon Sales Inc
* SIG Financial Holdings
* Specialty Underwriters
* St John Properties Inc
* Standard Process Laboratories
* Stark Investments
* Super Steel Products
* Tamarack Petroleum Co
* Tankcraft Corp
* ThedaCare
* Tries & Rice
* Uihlein Wilson Architects
* US Counseling Service
* US Oil Co
* V Duane Rath Foundation
* Wausau Homes
* Wausau Paper
* West Allis Salvage
* West Bend Clinic
* Zenith Tech (read less

Justin Pluess

715 451-1208
Vice President
Wis. Rapids Firefighters Local 425
421 Witter Street
Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494
Cell (715) 451-1208
Station 1 (715) 421-6277

SCOTT WALKER SUPPORT/COUNTER-PROTEST - WEST BEND

Afterthoughts, 6:35 p.m.: Two women walking behind me stated that they were not from West Bend, but didn't want to go to Madison so West Bend was the next best thing. I imagine it was the same with others who were there. An older man on the corner introduced himself to union workers as a union organizer, thought his name was Steve Nelson, but not positive on that.

Other faces in the crowd include:

Former West Bend East VP, current WB District Teachers, former Silverbrook orchestra teacher

______________________________________________

I participated in the pro-Scott Walker rally today in West Bend. I'll blog on it shortly, but first will get the pics up. I've got video going up on youtube shortly, as well. C'mon back for an update in a little while....

UPDATE:

I decided that the best way to get to know how the "other side" really thinks is throw myself into the throngs. I joined the group of protesters who, ironically, called themselves "West Benders for Fairness" and walked, alone, with my Sen. Walker campaign sign. I think they were a bit taken aback at first, but hey, there was one sidewalk and the police asked everyone to keep walking. I was just obeying.

There was one large group with a megaphone on the corner sidewalk by Hobby Lobby (NW corner). The other three corners had decent-sized crowds all walking single file with mostly hand-made signs. The ones that leave me scratching my head are the signs that lend personal attack and disregard the bill or the items within the bill. For instance, there was a gentleman walking his dog in the protest line and he had hung a sign on the poor thing that stated something similar to "Where's Walker, I gotta pee." Seriously. I would consider that an embarrassment. As I walked with the protesters, I kept my ears open to the conversations. I did not initiate conversation or otherwise engage with any protesters. The majority of the protesters were respectful, but I am speaking only for the SW corner by Starbucks where I was walking. One man turned around and told me he gave me credit for being courageous enough to walk in their line. I really didn't see as I had any choice anyway. Like I said, there was only one sidewalk. It was nice of him, nonetheless. People were chanting "Kill the Bill", and "Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Scott Walker has got to go" for the majority of the demonstration, on all corners. One particularly offensive group was singing a Christian "Battle Hymn of the Republic," but had changed the words to something that glorified solidarity. Seriously, I would have never gone there.

Seen amongst the protesters were:

ALDERMAN NICK DOBBERSTEIN, Hartford teacher (whose seat is up for re-election in Spring) who was shouting "RECALL WALKER!"

MIKE WESTON, Firefighter and former West Bend school board member (chanting the "hey hey, ho ho" mantra)

STEEV BAKER, Kewaskum Public Librarian - Taking pics and assimilating the protesting crowd

KRISTIN PEKOLL, West Bend Young Adult Librarian (sign reading something like "Don't SHUSH the Librarian"

MARK PETERSON, local liberal UWWC Psychology Professor

WARING FINCKE, local liberal attorney

MICHAEL TYREE, former Library Director

And now I'll briefly vent - I absolutely hate when people take part in a protest and bring their little children, have them hold signs, and tell them things to yell. GEEZ, people. I can understand if someone has to bring their baby and they are walking while pushing a stroller. OK, that's understandable. If your kids is 12 or 13 (give or take) and understands the situation, makes a decision to take part, and wants your assistance, that's fine, too. Just don't exploit the young un's. Really.

Corner of Paradise and Main, West Bend -

Are any of these people YOUR teachers?

About 23 seconds into this video you will hear Dennis Uhlig, employee at Fireside Books, proudly state he called his Democratic Senators and asked them to stay out of Wisconsin. You will remember Dennis from his previous involvement in the library issue, where he stated he was supportive of all information for all people, including minor children. Same Dennis.

Conservative Board Members STAND TRIAL TONIGHT with WB School Board

The accusations have been levied by a former West Bend School District Superintendent, John Engstrom, and West Bend's WEAC president, Jason Pentermann.


What are Weigand and Stepanski being accused of?


According to Engstrom, Stepanski responded to Engstrom in an email exchange by affirming his Christianity and belief in Jesus Christ.  So he's being accused of being a...Christian?


Pentermann is upset that Weigand wrote an editorial piece that explained in more detail the reasons why board members should look into the charter school opportunity.  Pentermann called this closed minded and says Weigand cannot lend his opinion publicly as a school board member.  Whaaat?


What is this REALLY about?


Attempting to get the conservative school board members to SHUT UP.  Call it like you see it.

SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION 

MEETING 

Education Service Center – Board Room 

735 S. Main Street 

West Bend WI 53095 

January 17, 2011 

 5:00 p.m. 

AGENDA

1. Call to order 

2. Consider complaints filed against 2 school board 

members (Tim Stepanski & Dave Weigand) and 

take any action, if necessary. 

6:30 p.m. 

1. Board Candidates Interview 

2. Board Vacancy Appointment 

3. Adjourn

West Bend School District Needs Rocket Scientist

The WB School Board is struggling to make budget cuts.  Maybe we could start with administration.  If the School Board was REALLY listening to ALL the taxpayers, they would have had this right by now.  C'mon, people, now, smile on your brother, everybody get together...  tell WEAC where to get off.


WB News today:

Board President Joe Carlson said that in the private sector a business owner would raise revenue to deal with increased costs - but the school district does not have that option. 

    “My business would not run if we had to cut our way to prosperity,” he said. 

    The only option for the school district to raise money, he said, is through an operational referendum. 

    “It’s not that easy to forward an operating referendum,” said board member Todd Miller. “Not in West Bend.” 

    Board member Lynn Corazzi said last fall the board was accused of not listening to taxpayers, but the people speaking at the meeting in favor of an operating referendum are taxpayers, too. 

Corazzi's statement is indicative of his campaigning strategy.  SAY you are listening to everyone, when really, you're not.  


What is board president Joe Carlson saying here?  Anyone else tired of hearing about comparison to his private sector business experience?  Gag.  Get with the program.

UW MADISON STUDENTS/TEACHER UNIONS - SAVE SOME $$$!!!

IMAGINE THE SAVINGS!


United Council of UW Students Referendum

The students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison agree to support the United Council of UW Students with a mandatory refundable fee of $2.00 per semester and $2.00 per summer session. The amount plus postage is refundable upon written request to the United Council of UW Students postmarked within 45 days of the first day of class. If this referendum passes, it will come up for reconsideration at least every two years. The fee may be adjusted between referenda by the Board of Regents.


Associated Students of Madison
Student Activity Center
Room 4301
333 East Campus Mall
Madison, WI  53715-1380

General phone: (608) 265-4276

and 

Teacher Unions:

When you fill out your registration materials - check "Fair Share" - you will get back at least 25% of your Union dues, and up to 100% in certain areas.

Even if you're not a Fair Share payer, you can still get your political dues back:

"WEAC-PAC dues are also rebateable if a request is made in writing by October 30 or 60 days after joining, whichever is later. The refundable WEAC-PAC dues for teacher members are $19.99 ($10.00 for half-time members) and $10.00 for ESP members ($5.00 for half-time members). Individual refund requests should be made in writing to WEAC President Stan Johnson, P.O. Box 8003, Madison, WI 53708. WEAC will make rebates about November 30, and send a list of individuals receiving rebates to local presidents. Fair share payers automatically receive this rebate and need not request it."

West Bend School District - PLAY BALL!!!

It's going..........



    Teachers in the West Bend School District received a letter Friday afternoon from School Board members explaining the effect salary negotiations could have on the upcoming budget.

    The two-page letter, signed by each member of the school board, states that the “current collective bargaining process is going to directly impact the amount that has to be reduced for next year’s budget.”

.......


It's going................

    School board vice-president Kathy Van Eerden said the letter was designed to connect directly with staff to talk about the budget as discussed earlier this week at a School Board work session. School board president Joe Carlson was unable to be reached in time for publication.

    “We wanted to share our concerns directly with staff members so it was clear to them the impact the reductions could potentially have,” she said.

    School board members also wanted staff to be fully informed about the potential implication of the association’s proposal on the budget, Van Eerden said.

    “We wanted the staff to be fully aware of the position the district finds itself in, and to emphasize the board’s commitment to the district and to acknowledge how much we value them and the work they do,” she said.

.......


It's going...............



    The letter states:

    “We are committed to reaching a voluntary settlements and will work tirelessly to do so. However, the fiscal challenges facing our district are very real and will likely compound in the future....."


...AND IT'S OUTTA THE BALL PARK!!!

    Shelly Krueger, president of the West Bend Education Association, said she was still digesting the information.

    “I understand where the school board is coming from,” she said, but declined to comment further. 


______________________________________________________________________________


Funny how Joe Carlson couldn't be reached for comment on his cell phone!  I don't believe I've ever witnessed that statement in our newspaper before!  


Funny how it was Kathy Van Eerden that made the statement, 'specially since the District is in need of a savior right now, and 'specially since Van Eerden is vying for her  seat at the moment.


Funny how the School District is bemoaning our difficult financial situation NOW. 


Funny. 

West Bend School District talks cutting positions - forgets WEAC

Notice how WEAC is never mentioned by Herdrich.  Let's put the push for INCREASES by WEAC on the inclusion list for "uknown factors."  Seems WEAC is all FOR tax levy increases in West Bend, just as long as it doesn't affect teacher salaries....


Lest we forget:  Shelly Krueger, co-president of the Teacher’s Union, took the microphone together with Kim Will to announce that the Union and the teachers are willing to work on a compromise to help the School District in these financially challenging times. Words like ‘shared sacrifice’ went along side with ‘contract negotiations’.  

   Recommendations for the the 2010-11 preliminary budget the West Bend School Board received Monday included job cuts that would equal 26.1 teaching positions. 

    Balancing the budget will require the board to make $2 million in reductions. 

    The proposed cuts would mean the elimination of a librarian and a gifted and talented teacher at the elementary level; one dean of students at the middle school level; and a minimum of eight teaching positions and two cheerleading coaching positions at the high school.

......

 Also proposed are reductions in maintenance positions amounting to $125,000 and in system operations, $299,000. 

.....

    Currently unknown factors - such as the staff contract settlement, state aid calculations, potential changes to the levy assumption, and student enrollment will have an impact on what a final budget may look like.

West Bend School District Levy is up, up, up, and ........outta the ball park!

West Bend School Board Meeting Stacked with WEACs - Part VI

Final video clip.  


Joe Carlson reiterates how the world is watching us and how we need to remember that what we do with this tax levy will affect how the world views West Bend. What he really means is...if we don't pass the levy, we are ruining the reputation of our city, wrecking the school district, and we are bad, bad people.

West Bend School Board Meeting Stacked with WEACs - Part III

One gentleman reminded the school board that 80% of our costs are in personnel, and hoped that teachers would remember that when they negotiated their salaries.  





(So here are the teachers, all making sales pitches for the tax levy, screaming "raise the tax levy cap!" and then going into negotiations for their pay raises this year.)




Another man said he read the WB News and Rich Kasten's account of what took place at the last meeting.  Kasten's account was concerning to him as a taxpayer and he wanted to know exactly what happened at the last meeting.





I'll post more in the a.m.  


I have video footage of the school board member's final responses  Will post in the morning.

West Bend School Board Meeting Stacked with WEACs - Part II

School Board President Joe Carlson opened the meeting by making mention that there were a lot of students present tonight.  Could that be because the school district held an assembly for them so they could do a Q&A on the tax issues and scare them by telling them that those bad people who refuse to pay more taxes want to take away their swimming pool?  their dual high schools?  their athletics?  their band?  their choir?  The PANIC BUTTON was pushed.

School District Financial Advisor Dave Ross was up first to sell the tax levy.  Sorry, we will NOT drink the Kool-Aid.

West Bend School Board Meeting Stacked with WEACs - PART I

This is going to be multiple postings as I am going to provide video snips for your viewing pleasure.  The meeting was truly laughable, and obviously transparent.  It was kinda like showing up at a school assembly and listening to the teachers lament about a student that just died in a car accident or something.  The most frequently used five words?  "Tax us to the cap!"  Yes, I know.  It was the oddest thing.  All the people who are getting pay raises and hide behind their union were the ones to be vocal tonight.  An absolute misrepresentation of the community, unlike the meeting two weeks ago.  


Here is how the meeting began.  A little entertainment from the children's choir at Silverbrook Middle School.  Shame on the Superintendent and School Board President for exploiting innocent kids in the midst of a tax levy war.  (They were cute, though...)




Supt. Pat Herdrich introduced the meeting by blaming Madison/legislature, then ensuring all she had gone to fight on our behalf this week: