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Hundreds of Janesville teachers, their families and allies on Tuesday (October 9, 2007) joined in solidarity to urge the board of education to bargain in good faith. Passers-by honked and encouraged the nearly 300 people flooding the sidewalks in front of the district office.
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The teachers have been without a contract for three months, and Janesville Education Association (JEA) members made a clear statement to the board of education.
“We’re calling on your school district to do the right thing, and let you get back to teaching – which is what you really want to do,” said WEAC President Mary Bell, who marched alongside the teachers, their families, and members of other locals who joined their union brothers and sisters for the rally.
Janesville teachers have been waiting for a fair contract offer and told the board it’s time to negotiate in good faith. The last meeting the two sides had was in September, and there are still many unresolved issues. The school district filed for arbitration in September, which is an initial step in imposing a 3.8% “total package” Qualified Economic Offer (QEO). The JEA would rather negotiate a fair settlement, said President David Parr.
The board of education seeks to take away sick days from retirement and make the teachers pay for health care premiums. “We haven’t had a cost-of-living increase in 12 years and it’s about time,” Parr said over a loudspeaker to the crowd gathered in the windy autumn air. “I hope your presence here tonight will make a difference and speak loudly to the board.”
Janesville teachers have worked with the board to keep health care costs low. They have a 20% co-pay for health care, the highest in the region. But the board still wants to cut more in pay and benefits, and that’s not right, JEA members said. “We’ve already made concessions, and now they want more,” one member explained.
Sarah Mauermann, whose husband John has been a Janesville teacher for 20 years, said it’s time for the board to come to the table with a viable offer. Janesville teachers have experienced cuts in their benefits and are the lowest paid in the Big 8 High School Conference, she said. “Everyone is affected by the contract, not just the teachers but their families and students,” she said.
 Nearly 300 members of the Janesville Education Association, their families and friends rally for a fair contract. |
The Janesville School District experienced a hefty increase of $2.5 million to its reserve fund balance, according to an auditor’s report presented to the board on the night of the rally.
That increase is a direct result of teacher concessions and a low rate of health care claims.
Following the report, Janesville art teacher Maryanne Messier read a JEA letter urging the board to invest in the future instead of accumulating reserve funds.
“The Janesville School District is in excellent financial shape, and can afford to invest in education,” Messier said to the packed room. “Currently, the district has among the highest fund balances in the state, and by far the highest in our athletic conference as a percent of total expenditures.
“Taxpayers pay this money to fund education,” she continued, “and we hope that you use this money for its intended purpose.”
Without a willingness from the board to settle fairly, Janesville teachers said they are worried about retaining and attracting teachers. “It’s important to keep the best teachers in Janesville, and we can’t do that without a fair contract,” said Stephanie Kortyna, who has taught at Jackson Elementary School for a decade.
 WEAC President Mary Bell, center, marches along with members of the Janesville Education Association. |
“You can either tell us that you care about Janesville’s children and appreciate our dedication, or you can tell Janesville that you instead seek to accumulate an already large reserve fund balance,” Messier said. “We hope that you make the right choice.”
Rock Valley United Teachers (RVUT) UniServ Director Ted Lewis said the contract negotiations go right to the heart of each educator. “What’s more personal than what you invest your talent and energy in each day, than the betterment of your community, than your values?
"What you do is very important,” he continued. “You need to be honored and respected for what you do every day.”
Posted October 10, 2007
