I find this utterly disgusting. They should be concentrating on teaching. It's not like there not being paid. What are they trying to prove? There are no parents (taxpayers) at the school just the children. Are they trying to get the children to go home and tell their parents that the teachers need to make more money. Greedy, Greedy, Greedy! My family has to sacrifice during this economic downturn. I don't need their greed to be laid on my back. I have enough of my own burdens. Please strike and be done with this.

Dear GEA,

STOP demanding more of my money. It's for my children!

I've heard of Casual Friday, but not Political Rhetoric Thursday. Hmmmm.

Does anyone else think the union's color selection was intentional? Green connotes Money and Money connotes Greed.

Intimidating the students now with their warfare? Will the students now be negotiating their new contract? Don't understand the purpose in polluting the schools with a "green T-shirt" parade but their unprofessional stunt reminds me of a toddler having a "temper tantrum" because he or she could not have that expensive toy.

Is there not Dress Code??? Doesn't look like professional attire to me!

From the Student Handbook:

Students are expected to dress in a manner that promotes a positive learning atmosphere.

A student whose appearance is inappropriate or disrupts the educational environment will be sent to the office.

If this is true, as they say in TV, the teachers just jumped the shark. What possible good could come from this display. They are now responsible for their actions. I hope someday they realize what they have just put at risk. Do they really expect the board of education to now sit down and discuss a "contract that is fair to everyone." They just disrespected the BOE, the support staff, the bus drivers, the taxpayers, their profession and most importantly our most precious resource, our children. If you want to picket, just call a strike and picket all day long. I think they are too scared to call a strike because they realize the community is not 100% behind them. If they want to risk their jobs, let's let them do it. They aren't going to be happy with anything less than a guaranteed yearly salary increase. I feel very sorry for those teachers that understand the issue at hand and are forced to be lumped in with this group.
What is next .... a group sick day? Why don't they get creative and just streak at Friday's football game wearing only their green t-shirts. Then at least you'll see everyone laughing at you in public. It's the old union tactic, if you can't defend your demands, create a diversion. Go ahead and keep playing your games, you are losing any community support you might have had by the minute. And they say they are afraid of losing "A Tradition of Excellence," what a joke!

Not to mention the 'slap in the face' (as they have explained it) to their colleagues in Admin who have had pay freezes for the past 2 years? I am so sad to see their behavior - where did the sense of entitlement come from? Can they not understand that while we supported them when times were good, times are not so good right now and we all need to tighten the belts?

I say, good for those teachers!!!

So now they are having a public tantrum. Holding the students and taxpayers hostage is not going to give them that warm fuzzy feeling for you. We get it--you're unhappy. Have you forgotten that you are PUBLIC employees? If you want to strike then go ahead. If not suck it up and deal with reality like the rest of us out here in REALVILLE.

Offer any private employee a contract guaranteeing their employment for the next couple of years with no raise & I bet they'd jump on it in this economy. They shouldn't be permitted to wear the green shirts in the school. How 'bout a dress code just like they have for the students. Let them strike & let's bring in replacements. No one is irreplaceable.

I am a former Geneva student. From kindergarten through high school, I received a great education from wonderful teachers. This had such an impact on me, that I became a teacher. I taught for 3 years in a different state, in a school FAR different from any school we have in Geneva. My students had inactive parents, 100% were on free lunch programs, and fights and drug arrests were not outside the norm. This position paid far less than the what Geneva teachers are making, and I beleive there is the chance I was putting in a lot more work (50% of 7th graders reading at 3rd grade level). Now, I am NOT complaining. I actually loved my job and was understanding of the pay. I didn't become a teacher for money or a pension. I had no clue when choosing my major that my high school math teacher was making over 100,000/year. Now I am back living in the area and getting a teaching job is impossible. For 2 years I have struggled to even get an interview! I am coming to the table with 3 years experience, awards for test scores, etc. I also know that there are dozens of people just like me who would take any teaching position for a fraction of what these teachers are making right now. I really am let down that those inspirational teachers I had throughout my education are now acting in this manner.

Here's some food for thought ... you are probably right that you don't have it as good as teachers or other public-sector employees do. Instead of berating teachers for standing up for something that they see as better, stand up at your job or to your politicians or to yourself and demand something better. Why is it always a race to the bottom for anti-union people?

Those teachers fighting this fight have no idea what the reality is for so many families and seem not to care what the reality is for the town as this debt looms large. I beg the school board to stay strong and not be bullied. I am so angry about these ridiculous displays. I say we send students to school tomorrow in red shirts to send a message that we support fiscal responsibility and want the teachers to stop acting like entitled brats.

Race to the bottom? how about looking to the future. If a company isn't profitable, it goes bankrupt. Much like our State. Stay strong school board.

For any teacher who may cross the picket line in the near future (you have our support). Please read http://www.nlrb.gov/sites/default/files/documents/48/nlrbform508.pdf this document
Examples of Unfair Labor Practices by a Union
The National Labor Relations Board provides the following examples of ULPs by unions:
 Mass picketing in such numbers that nonstriking employees are physically barred from entering the plant;
 Acts of force or violence on the picket line, or in connection with a strike;
 Threats to do bodily injury to nonstriking employees;
 Threats to employees that they will lose their jobs unless they support the union’s activities;
 Statement to employees who oppose the union that the employees will lose their jobs if the union wins a majority in the plant ;

Read More http://www.unionfacts.com/article/unfair-labor-practices/
Know the facts
In 2009, the NLRB reported that:
 Unions faced a total of 6,367 allegations of violating labor law;
 More than 87% of charges against unions were filed by union members;
 78% of those charges were cases where a union attempted to “restrain or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed” by the National Labor Relations Act (Sec.8(b)(1)).

I know many teachers and I must say I am losing respect for those who participated in this action. It is unprofessional to behave like this while negotiations are still taking place. The duty to negotiate "in good faith" works both ways.

I’m a student at GHS; they haven’t done anything to cause a rift in our education. When a student asks anything related to the picketing or asking if a strike is going to be held, the teachers all say they can't discuss it, and will not allow it to disrupt class time. Our teachers set a great example for us students, something they have been trying to get through to us since we were little, to pursue and work hard for each one of our goals. I think everyone of you should think of the things teachers have gone through, go through, and could go through; then maybe you will show some respect and understanding.

How terrible! The teachers wore green shirts and, God forbid, they walked into the buildings together! Oh, the humanity! Our poor children! We should cut all of their salaries to the level of the kids in China making our iPhones! After all, their only responsibility is teaching our children; it’s not like they have an important job like a banker or an oil company executive!

Since many of the comments on this story were posted this afternoon, I’m assuming that the Jerry Springer show was a rerun!

Get a grip people. There was no lack of learning today and our kids are just fine. Why is it okay for you to band together with your conspiracy theories, “facts”, and disdain for teachers; but it’s not okay for teachers and their supporters to gather and voice their opinions? I stand with our teachers. I believe that they have one of the most important jobs in this community and deserve to be paid accordingly.

Beautifully said Viking 18. Stand strong and united Geneva Teachers, you are among the best and well respected in the community. You will always be supported and thanked for all you have done and continue to do for our children.

very intelligent comment viking18, you won't see respect or understanding from the majority that frequent this website.

Wow. I know a bunch of Geneva teachers and I like them. I just have a real hard time believing they're on board with all this.

It's been a bad time for jobs, savings and home values for the last 4 years - can't believe they're leaning on me for a raise right now.

Must be marching orders coming down from a union big-wig.

So...what was the puprose of the "walk in" anyway? The certified staff are united. Yeah, we kinda get that by now. And...it's not having any impact on the students because it's just not. And...you don't run into a whole bunch of taxpayers between the parking lot and the front door. So who was left to see? The little people? The secretaries and custodians and nurses who have already taken pay freezes on behalf of the district? The employees who can least afford pay freezes? Because we find the green shirts and behaviors hurtul and embarassing? Because we feel that such issues should not be allowed to cross over the threshold? Please...leave your issues at the door, remember we ARE all still part of the same team and start showing some compassion for your fellow CUSD304 team members.

They have already voted , and it is a strike.

It is disgusting that they feel empowered to politicize their views on the job, while violating policy, and it is appalling that the Board allos such behavior.

If a student gets detention, suspension, or any penalty for their poor judgement, then the professionals who make public displays counter to the education of our children should face an equal and proportional penalty.

I know athletes who were suspended or kicked off a team for actions they took- the same should hold true for teachers. They are really showing an arrogance that needs to be reigned in and their vote to strike has been determined.

Once again, the vote to strike has been determined.

Strike set for November?

what is your source Fred?

The current 50% overpayment of the Union Greenshirts in salaries, benefits and pension is not a “victimless crime.” Geneva’s families and households are the victims today. And even worse victims are the students, who are condemned to suffer under a mountain of debt and escalating Illinois income tax burden when they grow up, because of that 50% overpayment.
This is the true civil rights issue of our time: the right of Illinois’ children to have a chance to achieve at least a middle class standard of living as adults, without being buried under a crushing burden to pay obscenely excessive Illinois government union pensions. The Geneva school board is fighting for the civil rights of Geneva's students, who are the victims of the Union Greenshirts’ child fiscal abuse. It’s like taking candy from a baby. Protests and pickets historically have been in support of victims of civil rights abuses. Thursday it was the “perps” who were protesting.

I hope the administration has learned to pay more attention to character when they hire the new teachers.

When I went to Back to school night the Geneva teachers were professional, caring and informative and every parent I observed was just enthralled and appreciative. Until..they got home and sat behind their computer. Then the teachers make too much and it seems a monkey could replace them. I wondered why those same parents did not make any statements to their children's teachers while they could? Why they listened intently and appreciated all the knowledge, hard work and experience their child's teacher brings to the table yet dismiss's their profession when they are an anonymous person at a keyboard? I so enjoyed reading the post from Lou B who states that paying employees well does not elicit better workers. It also states it took him years to figure this out. Maybe because it's not true. I've worked for numerous corporations. When I was rewarded with better pay you better believe I had a spring in my step at work and felt appreciated and yes did better work! With Lou's way of thinking people making minimum wage should just be delighted to have a job and stop complaining about not being able to feed their family! Since when did the American way become I've got mine you don't deserve yours? Did you vote for numerous new grade schools? Where they all necessary? So we'd rather put our money into nearly empty buildings without much thought or complaint but don't want to see those who shape our children's lives earn money they deserve?

Feel the hate... You teacher haters would make Darth Sidious proud!!

Aside from some people, I don't think the comments on this story are about "teacher hating." As an unemployed teacher myself, It is just hard to see many families struggling (Yes! Even in Geneva!) and many teachers asking for more money.
I agree that years of work, experience, and education should be compensated... but as an example, that would be like me being paid upwards of $30/ hour as a babysitter (Education degree, 10+ years of experience, etc).

This situation is like one in which an election is to be held before either candidate has revealed a position on the issues. The Board and Union ought to disclose publically what issue(s) is or are preventing agreement. Until that happens, all the comments for or against either the Board or the Union are meaningless.

I believe we have awesome teachers, and better pay should be given to awesome teachers. The pay to public employees is from tax dollars. Unions need to look at the demographics of the community supporting them, being mindful there are a handful of very wealthy, but that is not the norm. A friend of ours is a Geneva bankruptcy attorney he stated there were 52 foreclosures in the Eaglebrook Subdivision. The largest subdivision to support Western Avenue. I have friends whose husbands have taken pay cuts or been asked to not work and not get paid one day a week, just so they could keep their jobs. More moms are going back to work to fill in the gap of their husband's lowered income perhaps to keep to their budget, or because they were really struggling financially with less pay. Before teachers ask for more money they should go find out the facts about what is happening in their community. I've never seen so many stores close down, ever. Obviously, there are less people spending money! If the tax payers are tightening their belts and spouses are going to work, then the same should be expected of a public employee. We hope it is short term. And no-one said the teachers would NEVER get a raise again. We're saying understand our burdens and walk shoulder to shoulder with us during a trial. You are working hard, just like private sector employees, but private sector employees can't demand a raise in this economy. You should mirror that.

The next step for teachers is to take over Geneva schools forcefully. What more would they have to do to drive the administration and school board to make them stop this terrible distraction?

They have lost their credibility. Putting the kids into this. Showing no regard for their administrators or employers. They are teaching kids by very bad example. The sit-ins last fall were people out of work and no opportunity. Geneva teachers have high paying jobs. However, taxpayers have asked them to share in the economic sacrifice needed and this is their response. The hell with the Geneva community, schools, families, kids and our standing in the greater area. Their demand is: "We want more money and we want it now, you find a way to pay me." This is acting in good faith?

I think the best possible thing would be for GEA to call a strike -- and the sooner the better.

At least half the GEA membership will ignore the picket lines and go to work. The remainder will trickle back to the classroom over the following few days as they realize how poorly they have been represented. The so-called "teachers'union" will be done for as a significant force in D-304.

If GEA wish to be of value to the community, they had best turn their energies to improving the results achieved by students. If pay were linked to performance, the future for GEA members would look a lot brighter. As long as pay is linked to anything else, our students are not getting what we want for them, despite rising costs.

There are several reasons teachers can't be judged and paid by test results...#1 the variety of students ability and their background. In my family alone I have two kids who stink at taking tests, but they get good grades and are smart. I have one very bright child who stinks at Chemistry and got his only D ever. If his teacher were better could he have gotten a better grade? Maybe....a C? But seriously not all kids are created the same. It would be unfair to blame a teacher. The year my parents divorced my grades significantly dropped...I was despondent. Should a teacher have to answer for that? In poorer areas where there is little support to the student at home from over worked parents or a single parent who has little education the teacher cannot be blamed for the student's lower performance. I don't see that ever happening. They need a different way to evaluate teachers, I agree, but it can't be tied mostly to the student's test scores. I'd rather see a little more money spent on making sure we have the resources available to the kids who are struggling, so our test scores go up for each school, than give a pay raise to ALL the teachers.

I doubt they really want to be graded by standardized tests in Geneva either. the upside for improvement is pretty small. There does need to be a way to measure the quality of the teaching but the measurement must include input from the teachers who do the job everyday. It can't be just from the top down. The teachers would be smart to get in front of this issue instead of trying to hang on to the outdated step and lane increases. Showing up for another year on the job doesn't automatically make you more effective.

Chris writes
"Why would you make it public? So quacks like Bob McQullian can give their "expert" opinion? If he doesn't like what's written down about the issues, he'll just crumple it up and throw it in someone's face."

I don't claim to be an expert, I'm a regular taxpayer who is tired of increased taxes with the same level of service. I decided to research how taxing bodies develop their budgets & levies and have shared that with the community. We source & verify everything posted on www.genevaTaxFACTS.org. Now people don't like the way it is reported. Sorry, I can't make the state & district report things the way you want them. Putting yearly salaries & benefits side by side over a short period is the only way you can compare what the actual increases and expenses are. People complain that stipends are included is base salary and thus the yearly increases are inflated. They are only inflated the first year a teacher takes on a new stipend. The next year the increase is based on the previous year's stipend. If people are getting 12% increases because of stipends, maybe we are paying too much in stipends.
When people personally attack me, it only shows that they can't defend their own position. Anyone who dares speak out and provides accurate information, will be attacked. I'm used to. I also know that I and GenevaTaxFACTS have spoken the truth for more than 4 years. An informed public is a powerful force. I'm glad Geneva has decided to listen to the truth.

I am so sad that this is what Geneva has come to. When I began working here, I was amazed at the support the students had from parents, teachers and community members. I could not believe that people moved to Geneva, had children, sent those children through 304, sent their children to colleges (often prestigious ones), and then welcomed them home because these graduates wanted to send their own children to Geneva schools. This speaks volumes for the excellence of CUSD304. Now, many believe that teachers are asking for more than they are worth, that their request to be respected and compensated for their dedication is outrageous. What many neglect is that when moving to Geneva, people were aware of the taxes. Despite this, they still settled here because of the amenities--including an award winning public school district. Teachers do so much more than what people see. We wake up early to grade papers or plan activities, to buy materials or treats for our kids. We stay up nights because we worry about that one student each year who just doesn't seem to be ok, or we walk that student down to guidance when they reveal that they may not make it through the day and they are too scared to tell this to their parents.. What would you do if a
teacher wasn't there to help that child? What is that child worth? We know that they are worth everything. Many teachers are parents and understand that it is our job to be the best, and yes, sometimes that needs to be paid for.

HMT
Your comments are exactly what is wrong with the teachers position. This issue has nothing to do with what people think of the role teachers play in the community. This is a financial issue that has been brewing since the last contract. I'm sorry the teachers can't understand the real issue. The district budgets continue to increase while the value of houses continues to fall. Even to get the same revenue as this year, school taxes on a $288,000 house will increase over $400 next year. That is crazy. That does not include any increase in any expenses that might occur. This year, the district is spending $4 million more than they receive. The students will continue to have the support from parents and community members. It is the teachers decision if they will continue to support the students if they don't receive a salary increase. Teachers are not being asked to pay more for their benefits, they are being asked to take a one-year salary freeze. Not a decrease in pay, a freeze. Last year Cary teachers took a 3% decrease in salary. Teachers were never guaranteed yearly increases in future contracts.
I do agree that those who started a Masters Degree program during the 2009-2012 agreement should receive the lane increase when they complete that degree. I would assume that is only a handful of teachers.
Ask any resident that has been here for more than 15 years, no one expected the taxes we are now paying nor did they expect $309 million in debt service.

Geneva parents who are, or who might become teachers in the Geneva schools have fears of repercussions to their children if the parent were to cross a GEA picket line. If that is not a red warning-flag for how low community respect for the union-thug mentality of the IEA/NEA has sunk, I don't know what would be.

Please GEA, show us all that you have too much self-respect to allow your union reps to justify your being characterized in this manner.

"I (heart) Geneva Teachers"?

Well, not the way things are going lately, I don't.

But here's a sign I would be willing to put in my front yard:

"I (dollar-sign) Geneva Teachers!"

Disappointed and others who have the same points,
Many teachers have discussed the same issues. We are well aware of the economic crisis that exists as many of our husbands and wives, neigbors and friends are going through similar situations. From many of the statements placed on the posts, it seems that many people believe that the teachers have been unwilling to address the possiblitiy of a pay freeze in some capacity. That is simply untrue; many have discussed this possibility. What I would like to see is the truth. Both sides are manipulating data and presenting it in a way that makes them look right and the other side look wrong. How is that possible? Why is the board saying the teachers are not moving while the teachers are saying the board is not moving. People keep saying that information is power, so why, then are so many of us not hearing the truth?

Strike vote planned for October 17 according to friend who is a teacher in the district. Teachers are asking friends to show of support by asking people to vote in a poll by the Kane County Chronicle on 10/13. They are "discouraged" that the vote is clearly not going in their favor. Hmmmm... I wonder why...

It is on the home page, bottom right corner and looks like this:

http://www.kcchronicle.com/

Reader Poll
Do you support the Geneva teachers in their labor dispute?

Yes
No
I don't care

Just a note on all this: some people have commented that it's not teachers fault that we are in our current financial situation. That is only partially true. When the referendums were proposed a few years ago to build new schools which got us into overwhelming debt, MANY teachers supported and advocated for passage of the referendums. Some teachers did not participate--but many did. They have just as much responsibility for the debt as members of the BOE who before their election to the BOE advocated for the referendums. And I remember some of them telling us it wouldn't cost us any more money to staff the extra middle school, etc. Ya sure, and I have a bridge to sell you!

Disappointed : No, I have no responsibility for the fiscal crisis we are in. We did not overbuy/overspend for our home, have not used our home equity as a piggy bank, have saved and invested responsibly, and did NOT believe the tripe proposed in the referendums. Some of the arguments proposed were just plain stupid. We did not vote for the referendums and never believed the "put on the credit card" craziness. BUT I remember many teachers who pushed for yes votes. Please don't tell me the union didn't promote yes votes (since there has been some discussion on that before I am not presenting some startling new info). Everyone who voted yes is culpable. Everyone who thought shiney new buildings were nirvana for 304 is culpable. We overbuilt and should suck it up, mothball a building or 2 and/or sell them off. We need a quick injection of fiscal conservatism or we are sunk. I am heartened by people who have come to the realization that we are in debt, the economy kinda stinks, and we need to hold the $ line.

Disappointed: I have over 20 years on you and no, I am NOT (as are others in situations similar to mine) responsible for the economic situation. Try to turn whatever phrase you want, try to demean my proposals, insult me--do your best. Still not going to take responsibility for the mess we are in. Have you ever run for school board and stated your fiscal policy in public? I did back in 2003 and said, "We can't continue to expect our local taxpayers to bear this incredible burden without looking at each expenditure and knowing we are doing our best to wisely spend those dollars." I favored "utilizing the available current vacant property" without putting us in debt. So 'Disappointed' --walk a mile I my shoes. Got a better plan? Run for the school board. I did and lost. People were not interested in my message of fiscal conservatism. The folks elected advocated for the fiscal policies that have us taxpayers in economic peril.

Well 'Disappointed' -- I guess you are just another thug demeaning anyone with whom you disagree. Have at it. Enjoy. I refuse to back down to thugs like you--and I suspect there are tons of other people in our wonderful town who are tired of being dissed by thugs. Do we have buildings that are under utilized? Yes. Go ahead--keep them open--don't make any substantive changes. We'll see how long it is until we face economic ruin.

Yes, you were demeaning and dismissive. Not once in any of my postings on the Patch have I suggested cutting at all costs. You made sweeping ASSumptions. I have always promoted being respectful of every penny the taxpayers provide to any public body. Unfortunately that has not been the case at Dist. 304, in our state government and nationally. Anyone who has promoted adherence to fiscally conservative policies has been insulted, marginalized, called filthy names, etc. We all need to take a step back and look at where we are and how we got here. Again, I will not be bullied by thugs who refuse to wake up to the fiscal realities we face. And again, I suspect many many other voters in Geneva are sick and tired of being accused of hating teachers, harming kids or wanting to cause embarrassment to our school district. The Patch is my open window: I'm sick and tired and I'm not going to take it anymore!

Mothball a school(s) and the electricity bill goes down, you don't need the support staff or administrative staff, you don't use as much natural gas. Shut off sections of underutilized buildings and save money. Get rid of assistant this or that in administration and combine responsibilities. Don't want to do the job with added duties--then you're gone. Put the building(s) up for sale/rent. At least come up with a strategy other than raising my taxes. Has the school board been presented with REAL cost cutting proposals from the high paid administrators we have? Do we need all the people we employ? Do we need to get new buses as often as we do? I want every administrator to justify their job and their salary--that's right, every one. In private enterprise it's done! When we start treating the running of school districts as a business then they will run better and more economically. When we employ people in educational administrative positions (non-teaching related) who have business degrees and not business-Ed degrees and maybe some real business experience we might do better. Tons of proposals have been posted on this site and now suddenly I'm supposed to be the only source? I ran for BOE--I put my neck on the chopping block. Now it's time for others to step up. The ones there now who put us in this hole need to step down.

But placing a one year salary freeze only puts off the inevitable. This bond repayment is a 15 year proposition that needs to be placed into the equation.
Disappointed....pointing out hours worked and kindergarten teaching are some of the variables that are rigors of this occupation that the teachers themselves chose. If they don't like the hours or the job duties they can find another vocation. Making a mockery out of this for attention is getting old. They are not victims here we are all feeling the pain of this economy. The system needs overhauling. It is not sustainable.

And yes, there have been people on this site who have been thugs and tried to bully folks into silence. Let's call them out for what they have done. Folks, aren't you sick and tired of being told you don't respect teachers or don't care about kids or whatever is the attack du jour? We need to be able to exchange ideas, to express our concerns, and to complain about the economic fix we are in without being accused of being insensitive or uncaring or whatever. I'm sick of it.

If you don't think folks on the BofE don't read the Patch you are sorely mistaken. Assorted other elected officials read it also.

But with all due respect to Mr. Nagel. The Patch can be an educational tool also.
We at any age can always be inspired. I am just a problem solver and when I see this outrageous spending and DEBT it can really take away your "American Dream motto". Because in this case, the American Dream is renting not owning...Sad.

The American Dream was once owning a home because that is what couples/families strife for. But now in this climate, the American Dream of home ownership is not an asset it is a liability due to escalating property taxes. I have been here 8 years and every year they have increased. How does one keep up? You cannot because your salary does not adjust to this demand. This is my point with the greedy greens they don't seem to understand that we cannot keep up with their pay scales/rewards,tax levies, tax rates and now bond repayments. This community is in deep deep trouble and they don't seem to comprehend the magnitude of this. This is a 15 year payment loan pay back.....

If you don't know if doing away with Unions would save a bundle of money then please visit a state that has no teacher unions. The state I came from had just as WONDERFUL teachers as district 304, but NO union. Yes, its true! They did have tenure & compensation for more education. Nationwide those teachers make 15% less than other states. Personally, I don't think an Art teacher in district 304 should make $109k/yr. Reality is there are Unions because of the varying opinons of what teachers should make. Step and Lane might mean more student loans and stress on a teacher, but it also means keeping sharp and ensures they make a LOT more money for doing the same job year after year. Its rather brilliant. To save tax payers money and rid ourselves of inept teachers we need to rid ourselves of tenure, pensions & the union. Tenure ensures an unkind teacher keeps her job. Come now we've all seen at least one in our child's schools. Provide advice, counseling or reprimending or fire them, don't let them hide under the shield of tenure! We can do better now. Haven't most of our parents in private sector lost their pensions abruptly? Now, now, teachers shouldn't lose them! But they need phased out for new teachers and given 401k options instead, just like the private sector. My friend is 58 and making $75k/yr.for life as a retired teacher. (She's healthy). If I need to say more, then we are talking in a bubble, not reality. No unions, no tenure and no pensions = saving money.

By the way, teachers who choose to work in a "low income" area (determined at federal level) for five years; as long as they make all their student loan payments on time during the five years, there is a program that forgives the remaining student loan balance...so I don't want to hear about how teachers need a high salary to pay off their student loans. Schooling and Employment has a wide array of choices and sacrifices. No-one gave my husband a high salary just because he was a college graduate, brilliant and great at his profession. In fact he worked his way through college with no help from Mom & Pop, and had no student loans until he did post graduate schooling. He put in time and effort and proved himself worthy in his profession and his pay moved up, SLOWLY. Our retirement is 401k's, IRA's and whatever we were resourcful enough to conjur up in investing or flipping. If we can do it, then certainly our smart teachers can too. There is NO need for tenure, unions or pensions in our school district. Its riduculous to me that teachers think they need something better than the private sector. There is a company match at work in the 401k plan...I'd be more willing to entertain that, then a pension or union.

G. Ryan, I wasn't at the board meeting, but it isn't surprising. When a person lives in a bubble they're attitude becomes one of entitlement....it's hard to believe of all professions a teacher can't see it; there are so many wonderful books about a spoiled prince or princess who has no idea how good they've got it. Teachers pay is soo high compared to the Western non-union states. There are sooo many young people fresh out of school hungry for jobs. It smacks of ingratitutde and an unwillingness to see the world around them as it is. How am I, the tax payer doing who pays their wages? Our family has had serious financial adjustments and we are just now rising back up...its not just that we were unprepared for a depression, but our employer isn't moving us to a less expensive state as promised after our 3 year stint in IL. We had no plan to afford this state, and then our taxes went up twice, $1000 each time. My husband's profession is seeing widespread lay offs. We're grateful for what we have, everyday! And we do NOT complain that we got stuck here and it hurt us seriously financially. There was no raise for us the past 2 yrs, and no raises in our future, we've been capped. There are 20,000 guys lining up for my husband's job and they'd do it for 1/3 less the pay. I can't imagine what the teacher's long list was. Its the same job they've always had. Did they detail a real financial strain or hardship because of their lack of income? I doubt it!

Disappointed...the bond repayment number is now approximately 305 million as some of the bonds are non-callable.so that number does vary a bit(309)(was the number prior) but this is the approximate number.I do suggest you get involve and start attending the School Board meetings and their financial meetings to stay informed. And no I am not making up figures for the sake of making up figures. And raising the tax levies is just raising taxes on us but that is what Democrats like to do raise taxes.

Disappointed..Remember it is a 2 way street. You did come after Angela and myself's comments so the attack was initiated on your side first so one has to defend oneself. I informed you of the bond repayment with the interest attachment. I spoke with Mr.McQuillian about this in the afternoon and the range is approximately $305-309 MILLION. That is as specific as one can get with that number. So these are not figures just made up but based on your comment you felt I was just coming up with numbers. I am sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear but it is the truth.

Disappointed, Thank you. It is my understanding that the 305-309 Million is the estimated number range of the bond repayment with the total interest. So I hope that answers your question. Mr.McQuillan is the expert on that issue. Perhaps I should of presented it better and I do apologize for any misunderstandings or confusion. Take care now.

kumbaya

There have been many eloquent and persuasive points made in this comment section. However, unless the BOE is actually reading the Patch, then it will not change anything. Everyone with an opinion on these important matters should email the Board of Education and let their thoughts be known. Their email address is:

board@geneva304.org

Perfect, thanks for that email! Many of us can't attend BOE meetings due to work and fear of repercussions for our kids. Email works!

@ Dave Larson

Illinois is one of almost two dozen States that forces teachers to PAY the union even if they don't want to join the union. As a result, these teachers may decide to join in order to have a vote, even though they would prefer not to join. Even those whose religion or strong moral beliefs prevent them from formally joining a union must still pay the union, whether or not they become members.

http://www.nrtw.org/a/a_1_t.htm

Unions are undemocratic in the extreme, despite any representations to the contrary, when they use public law to facilitate coercion of money from teachers and pay raises from communities.

With all the talk about unfair advantage to corporations, it's time to consider the way federal and state governments protect unions from having to compete fairly in the market place. And there is no more troublesome example of government/union conniving than in the case of public employee unions.

It may be impossible to make a chicken/egg determination WRT corrupt legislators vs corrupt unions, but why bother? The connections are obvious, and if we fry one we'll be a lot closer to cracking the other.

Hmmmm. Don't have to be a member but still has to pay but they can ask for the money to go to a chairty of their choice. That sounds really fair - you are going to pay period!

No Tom, teachers don't necessarily always "benefit" from the work the union does, except by the union's own self-serving interpretation. What does happen is that the good teachers are limited by their union. We will see just how badly all D-304 teachers will be inconvenienced, embarrassed and disadvantaged by their union's actions in the next three weeks.

I hope for D-304 teachers' sake that the GEA/IEA will do the right thing.

Hey, how about the janitor (sorry, I mean custodial engineer) that makes $106 a year?
it's all on geneva304.org - it's entitlement gone wild (joe francis not included)