If you back people into a corner often enough, they're bound to come out fighting!
After being accused of some intemperate columns lately (who me?), instead of issuing my trademark “I told you so,” I’ll simply echo Sheldon Cooper’s milder Big Bang Theory refrain, “I told you thusly.”
Though I have to say that wasn’t nearly as much fun.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve tried to teach you people, as even fictional physicists will attest, for every action in this life, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Unless, of course, you write a column about high school purses or backyard chickens, in which case some reactions are more equal than others.
And it’s this very regard that I’ve tried to warn y’all about the TaxFACTS group. While they certainly performed a valuable service by sounding the runaway School District spending alarm, like most folks who vastly overestimate their importance, that group has no clue as to when to back off and let the pendulum complete its swing.
As my good friend and occasional WRMN Left, Right and You radio co-host Tim Elenz likes to say, “It took years to get the state into this mess, and it will take years to get us out of it.” And the same thing goes for that District 304 debt.
All that said, especially when you consider their host of challenges, I think this School Board iteration has made the mental shift much more quickly than most.
But back to my self-righteous meanderings.
My regular readers already know my longstanding supposition has been that the TaxFACTS group’s inability to moderate and adjust their approach to an evolving situation will ultimately make the School District versus Geneva citizen situation even worse.
And now it has!
As evidenced by last week’s School Board meeting where District 304 teachers, dressed in highlighter green “United We Teach” T-shirts, came out in force to urge the board to “"ignore the bullies,” and give teachers “the respect and compensation that we all deserve.”
So I’ll reiterate my equal and opposite reaction argument while reminding you that I told you thusly!
While I may not completely concur with their logic (we’ll cover that on Wednesday), I don’t blame those teachers for ratcheting up the rhetoric one bit. Especially when you consider the increasing number of parents who expect them to raise their children, I would be sick and tired of that insistent hammering a group who tend to be bullies on their best day and something else entirely on their worst.
Fed up and figuring there was nothing left to lose, my somewhat unmeasured response would be something along the lines of “The heck with you, I’m going for everything I can get in these contract negotiations!”
Trust me, those teachers were mild by comparison.
What actually did manage to amaze me about that board meeting wasn’t the green shirts, but the TaxFACTS group’s blisteringly oblivious reaction to coming face-to-face with a healthy dose of their own tactics.
One of ‘em had the nerve to say, “I’m kind of appalled that you guys are wearing these shirts in the schools. I would recommend that you make a motion as a board to disallow that messaging. These teachers are here to teach. They’re not here to give propaganda. It’s just not right.”
I’d say something about pots and kettles, but I’m guessing you’re way ahead of me on that one. Ain’t it funny how, whenever anyone stands up to the them, bullies always run right to mommy.
But the utterly incomprehensible cake topper had to be this one. TaxFacts founder Bob McQuillan, with a straight face, said he’s been attending School Board meetings for six years and “there has been no harassment of any School Board member.”
The only thing that could surpass that kind of chutzpah would be GOP Senate hopeful Todd Aikin writing a book on the female reproductive system.
First, we watched previous Board President Tim Moran step down from that position after succumbing to a frightening cardiac reaction that came as a result of all the TaxFACTS falderol heaped upon him.
Then, board member Mike McCormick, the man who was supposed to bring TaxFACTS balance to the District 304 budgetary force, received anonymous threatening letters labeling him a “turncoat” when he realized Rome wasn’t built in a day. And then someone threw dog poop on his front porch.
And we’re not even talking about their persistent emails, their use of FOIA laws as a bludgeon, and that general board meeting badgering.
Again, I’ve always said their message is a reasonable one, but the messengers clearly aren’t. In fact, they’re the ones who are creating this equal and opposite reaction, and now we’re going to have to pay for it, literally.
Just like it is with the national stage, this is exactly what will happen when we allow a small group of loudmouths dominate the debate.
“The district is not in a healthy situation,” McQuillan said. “This display tonight is not about the students; it's about compensation and a Cadillac benefits package. Why is it so important that every teacher receive a salary increase every year? Why is it that teachers cannot understand that this is not 2009 anymore?"
For the answer to that question, Bob, all you have to do is look in the mirror.
Kathy
7:30 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Sorry Jeff, TaxFacts is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise totally closed up room. Just like journalists, a group like this is not going to say things that everyone wants to hear, but those things need to be said nevertheless. And they are not wrong. But, I guess the point of your editorial was the "bullying". It is disheartening how BOTH sides on the issue of the teacher contract are being childish, calling names and muddying the issues. It just makes it harder to get anything accomplished. I hope that at the very least a group like TaxFacts is informing an otherwise clueless population. And BTW, yes to chickens, yes to purses, and NO to more money for teachers in the next contract period.
Jeff Ward
8:01 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Kathy,
Contrary to popular belief, I have no problem with people who disagree with me. I might challenge them to explain their point of view, but that's really not too much to ask.
But the bottom line here is, is TaxFACTS getting the results you want them to get. And the answer is no, they're not.
Jeff
Robert Jr.
7:57 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
it's too bad that the tax facts group has been seen as negative when the primary points they talk about are financial responsibility. Negotiating automatic pay increases for everyone negates the purpose for pay increases, which should be based on merit and performance above the expectations for a position. That is how the private sector works...
Jeff Ward
8:03 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Sally,
I'll say it a again - as I did in the column - their message is a reasonable one, but not only does the way it's delivered negate that message, it's actually making the situation worse.
Remember, I'm not done with this topic and will be examining the teachers' logic tomorrow.
Jeff
Robert Jr.
8:05 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
and paying some of the base salaries for teachers that are making six figures for teachung first grade is almost embarassing...length of service does not merit ongoing increases...the union does need to be hel accountable and it is unfortunate, but union members must suffer together if they benefit together... I am surprised that the teachers even collectively approve a first grade teacher making more than a science or math teacher...I am appalled.
Robert Jr.
8:07 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
this is an example of where "union" should be pronounced " onion".
Mitotero
9:00 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Fantastic post. I attended a School Board meeting where a Tax Facts leader paced around, made gestures, and blurted out things at the Board. At another meeting, someone inanely asked the Board president who would resign over the enrollment gate issue. I give him credit for responding calmly. A healthy dialogue would be great. A siege will get us nowhere. The attacks on teachers, and their union, is embarrassing. How are any of us qualified to determine what is a fair salary for a first grade teacher compared to a math teacher? Why would anyone suggest that our teachers should quit, and work for another district, if they don't like our offer? Do they really believe that a new staff of teachers, at a lower pay rate, will provide the same education as before on day 1? The comments made on these Patch stories are amazingly short sighted.
No more taxes
9:27 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Do you really believe if they don't get a raise they will all quit with nowhere to go?
I am not saying no to fair wages, I am saying no to raises right now with a recession going on, our family took a huge hit this year, 20% loss of income and no more 401K, benefits not as good and several months with no job, I am not asking that although I could, so let's say the teacher's start to pay 20% of their health insurance, get no more pension, and all take a 20% pay cut. That may be extreme but in today's economy in a real business that is what would happen when revenues are down and supply of teachers is up. What is short sighted is continued spending with no cap. Eventually the bill comes due. Illinois is there. The US gov is there. Geneva Schools will be there soon. We can move out of Geneva, out of Illinois. US ? But who would buy your house if the taxes are too high?
The Union is out to get as much as it can for it's members. That is their job. The taxpayers want to keep as much of their money for themselves which is their right.
What is fair for a first grade teacher or math teacher is what the market will determine. Not sentiment. If the Board gives raises I will happily help to recall or request the resignation of any/all that vote for one. Would be nice if any tax increase would need a vote for approval of residents. Maybe we would have to have a referendum for that in Geneva.
No more taxes
9:07 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
I don't see how you can claim someone had a cardiac issue because of an interest group, I expect an interest group like Taxfacts to fight as hard as it can to get it's message across, the teachers have a union and an ongoing relationship with the board and the administration so they have an easier path, it is not their money so when they give the teacher's raises they need some way to be held accountable. I have more respect for the Kaneland system, the teachers agreed to no raises because they saw that the system was hurting, in Geneva they do not see the economic situation most are facing or don't care. So it is the administration's responsibility to say no raises, or to cut their salaries and benefits, and if the teachers want to walk out they can, then Geneva can replace them all with much cheaper labor, or if the board does not act responsibly then the citizens will have to replace/recall them and when the next contract comes up have drastic cuts.
Seems TaxFacts is the only group that is out there working to help the local taxpayer. Seems like you are blaming the messenger for delivering bad news.
What is your solution? Keep giving raises? Keep taxing?
G.Ryan
10:04 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Thank you. You are correct it is time for a taxpayer referendum. Since they continue to disrespect the handling of our funds! And look at their attitude, it is give me more....they are now planning to raise the tax levy to 1.5% in the upcoming weeks. But yet failed to answer why we were lied to about the enrollment numbers.
Robert Mann
9:08 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
The D-304 school board's lack of response to any/all public criticism (from TaxFacts and many others ), its approval of ever-increasing budgets despite flat COLA numbers and ever-shrinking-student populations, and the hugely genererous teacher union contract (salary, benefits, hours of work, accountability, competency standards and evaluation, job security --- every part of it) prove beyond question that the board is indifferent to the public, unwilling to control the administration and unable to resist teacher union demands. Now the union has co-opted the Jeff Ward column to suppress public dissent. Mr. Ward, you ought to read the Ist Amendment and take off the Mickey Mouse green tee shirt!
G.Ryan
9:55 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Amen, Mr. Mann! You are right on with core principles of the issues. The Board is manipulated and has been manipulated by the administration of the Spending Monarchy called the School District and we the taxpayers are not going to take it anymore.
Jeff Ward
9:58 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Bob,
Is that anything like conspiring with the Mayor to go after Chris Lauzen at any cost?
Jeff
Christine Voreis
9:11 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Sally,
What you wrote was sincere. You have probably read a lot on the subject of teachers and their six figure salaries. You've learned to read and write. Thank a first grade teacher.
Early elementary is a teaching level that provides the foundation for literacy, an encouragement of wonder, a love for learning, and a sense of comfort for our youngest of learners. I thank those who provide the foundation so students can come to my classroom ready to learn in their later years. They are worth every penny as another teacher. Every AP Physics teacher would say the same.
Thank you Mrs. Bleck, Mrs.Furnish, and Miss Christiansen for inspiring my children in first grade.
Christine Voreis
9:17 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
I also want more for my children in the classroom than, "cheap labor".
G.Ryan
10:09 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Then you pay for them. Your comment on "cheap labor" is so exaggerated. Geneva teachers and their administrators are definitely not CHEAP LABOR!
Jax
11:20 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Is the Drivers Ed teacher who makes 123K a year (plus insurance and pension) cheap labor?
Or the Shop teacher making 123K?
Or the PE teachers making 118K, 107K, and 105K?
Or the librarians making 110K, 109K, and 105K?
Jeff Ward
11:25 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Jax,
Or is it the guys on Wall Street who don't make anything and took down the economy and then got 7 figure bonuses when they profited from the stock market crash they created?
Or is it professional athletes who get paid exorbitant salaries to drop a football?
Or is it a construction flagger who gets paid $50 an hour to hold up a stop sign?
Jeff
James Parnell
11:55 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Jax,
That Drivers Ed Teacher and one of those librarians retired last year and no longer work in the district http://geneva.patch.com/events/reception-for-school-district-retirees
Roxanne Walton Malley
9:28 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Blaming the whistle blower is a common tactic of those who in the progressive party. "Identify a target, isolate the target and demonize the target".
Trig
9:56 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
^exactly. Bob M must have hurt Jeffs feewings a long time ago because he certainnly wastes a lot of bandwidth trying to get even
James Parnell
9:58 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Right On Roxanne! Conservatives are way above such low brow tactics. Take for instance when that Joseph Wilson "ambassador guy" blew the whistle on the fact that Saddam never actually tried to buy yellow cake uranium from Niger thereby underming a major cornerstone in the Bush administration's case for war in Iraq, did the conservatives isolate and demonize Joe?....Nah they decided to out his covert CIA operative wife Valerie Plame. See thats way classier! Those progressives need to stop taking pages out of the playbook of their Socialist, atheist, secret muslim, African born President!!!! (all presidential characterzations supplied by progressives I'm pretty sure)
Max
10:31 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Did you have an opinion on D-304? And which school system taught you the Red Herring ploy for use in camouflaging your lack of a reasoned position?
Kathy
9:59 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
I am glad you are going to examine both sides Jeff. I hope you will take in to consideration some of the comments made on other Patch articles and editorials, I was surprised by some of the vitriol, name calling and labeling by a couple of people who were either teachers, or speaking for the teachers! So, it is happening on BOTH sides, and I agree with you, it is counterproductive. Let's try not to play the blame game at this point.
Jeff Ward
10:07 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Kathy,
You're spot on. Some of the folks here really oughtta wait until Wednesday's column before they comment because that foot in their mouth might become a permanent fixture.
I said it in the column! I don't agree with the teachers' short term pay hike logic and we will get into that next time.
The bottom line on this one is, as Dr. Phil might say, how's TaxFACTS workin' out for ya?
Jeff
Jeff
Robert Jr.
10:36 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
christine... stewardship of tax payers' funds is a legal fiduciary requirement...
Winston
10:36 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Jef Ward wrote: " we watched previous Board President Tim Moran step down from that position after succumbing to a frightening cardiac reaction that came as a result of all the TaxFACTS falderol heaped upon him."
Uh-oh, Mr. Editor might have a talk with his cub reporter about libel and defamation
Jeff Ward
11:01 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Winston,
I would encourage you to look up the definition of libel as well - you might be surprised!
Jeff
Robert Jr.
10:42 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
first grade teachers are valued...longevity of service doesnt increase the value in unlimited amount...there is a cap to the amount that position is worth, as with all public positions.
Robert Jr.
10:44 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
teachers should not get pay increases just based on longevity...they should have pay grades similar to military, based on merit and difficulty of subject matter
Amy
11:24 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Sally, please tell me you understand the flaw in your argument. The difficulty of the subject matter is relevant to the audience. Teaching a first grader first grade subject matter is as difficult as teaching a high schooler physics. Just because it may be easy for you to understand a first graders work, it's not for a first grader. A first grade teacher needs to work as hard as a physics teacher to make the concepts understood.
G.Ryan
12:07 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
If it was so difficult why did you chose it? The subject matter is repetitive after awhile is it not?
Also, Mr. Parnell we still pay their pensions do we not?
Amy
12:15 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
I don't understand your comment g. Ryan. I'm not a first grade teacher or a teacher at all. But I sure wouldn't want to live in a world where everyone chose only easy careers.
G.Ryan
12:25 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Amy, please elaborate on what you don't understand? My point is if they think it is a difficult job they can always chose something else. It is that simple.
Robert Jr.
12:23 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Amy...we will agree to diagree on the merits of paying $105,000 for a first grade teacher when there are plenty of capable teachers who can provide an improvement in educational productivity. Perhaps it is the union' s responsibility to prepare first grade teachers with more broad teaching capabilities rather than pay union stewards.
Amy
12:30 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Sally, I wasn't arguing the merit of paying a first grade teacher $105,000. I was addressing your comparison of a first grade teacher to a physics teacher, of which you didn't respond.
Jeff Ward
12:58 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Dear Readers,
State Sen. Chris Lauzen wrote a very interesting piece in the Beacon-News today on his 6 week experience of being a middle school math teacher:
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/14805207-474/guest-view-lauzen-has-summer-stint-as-teacher.html
Everyone who thinks teaching is easy should read it!
Jeff
Max
9:56 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
You must be joking, Jeff Ward. Where does "easy" fit into pay considerations? We should probably be paying combat soldiers some significant multiple of what our highest paid D-304 teachers make, if that is your line of reasoning.
Let's try to stay focused on the issues, shall we?
Carolyn Zinke
1:39 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
I have just read Jeff Ward's opinion piece and am cheering at his comments. Thank you so much, Mr. Ward.
Jeff Ward
2:09 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Carolyn,
Again, though I appreciate the praise, you might want to wait until Wednesday before doling any more out.
Jeff
Dwight Swartwood
4:14 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Jeff,
TaxFacts is not the blame for Geneva's financial problems. Or is it the blame for our crummy economy. Certainly it's not the blame for our home prices being 30+ % down and going lower. And it's not the blame for our state's retirement and insurance funds being nearly $100 Billion under water.
Some people, including TaxTacts, are trying to get the mess turned around. Other people seem to think it will just disappear on it's own.
You seem to think we can nambey-pamby our way out of this financial mess. Everyone must help out, even our teachers (good ones and bad ones). If they are unwilling, then so be it and let the chips fall. The financial correction here in Geneva, like gravity itself, will be shared by everyone. Including the here- to-for untouchable teacher's salaries.
Jeff Ward
4:18 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Dwight,
You're right, but cooperation works better than contempt. The TaxFACTS folks have show a complete inability to behave. And once you get hammered enough, you don't care about the other side.
The shift is occurring and it's actually happening much more quickly than the process of getting us in this debt mess. Sometimes you have to back off and give it time.
Jeff
Max
8:21 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
"Hammering" is also a well-known technique for inducing an opponent to do something stupid (like wearing green shirts to class, for example) out of frustration. What will the GEA think of next, in order to divert attention from their representation dilemma?
The GEA must establish a reputation for reasonableness -- they will need it. This economy will not turn around significantly during the term of a new contract. If the GEA think they are being hammered now, they will REALLY be surprised a few years from now when they come back for another bite at the apple.
Go along to get along, GEA. It could get worse.
Bob McQuillan
8:36 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Everyone has the right to their opinion but I thought even opinion writers were professional enough to get quotes right. The writer obviously watched the video of the last board meeting and still got my quote wrong. What I said was "every citizen of Geneva has the right to address the school board. We have not singled out individual school board members. The school board acts as a group and there has been no harassment of any individual on the school board." That statement is true. Then two outrageous comments are made; that TaxFACTS caused Tim Moran's health issues and that we wrote anonymous letters to Mike McCormack. Of course there is no proof of either statement. An opinion writer's only goal is to convince you he knows everything, with no regard for the truth. Don't be fooled. He evens tires to blame TaxFACTS for the teachers demands to be treated with "the respect & compensation that we all deserve." Sorry but the teachers have always made this demand. Their issue is that the school board has finally stood up to their demands. Amazing how quickly teachers turned on the board! In the writer's mind, those who speak out are labeled bullies, just ask city aldermen and administrators. If being a bully is standing up for what you believe in, then my mother taught me well. He saves the best for last, again accusing TaxFACTS of persistent emails and using FOIA laws as a bludgeon. I guess he has forgotten that both those statements were already proven false.
Pat
9:43 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
When I read some of these rants by the resident bloggers blaming Taxfacts for everything from Tim Moran's health issues to feces left on a board member's porch, I think of a line from Kipling's famous poem,
"If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,"
You've got a lot more self-restraint than I do, Mr. McQuillan - thanks for doing the heavy lifting and making the information available. Sunlight, as they say, is a great disinfectant.
Cheers.
G.Ryan
9:09 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
And please don't forget Mr. McQuillan if stay home mothers can home school their children how is it that teaching is or can be so difficult? Oh! I forgot because politicians say so. Guess I will need to contact the American Heart Association to add to the list that Taxfacts group is now one of the leading causes of clinical cardiac symptomatology.
James
11:10 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
If the radical TAXFACTS people are so worthy, why is it that none of them can get nominated a seat on the board? I have many assumptions but the key one is a lack of process thinking through viable solutions. All I see is a lot of hypocrites with nothing better to do than whine and complain, learn the terms sunk cost and move towards solutions.
Max
11:20 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
1) To say that the Teachers' Union tactics are an appropriate reaction to TaxFACTS personalities is rather low-brow misdirection, even for a Patch "Opinion" blogger. As far as I can see, TaxFACTS is just trying to keep us from getting into any deeper financial trouble. If TaxFACTS were really being aggressive, they'd be looking at possible legal remedies for what this School Board has done to tax-payers. They are not doing that, so we should applaud their restraint.
2) The Green-shirt group and other rah-rah posturing of the so-called "Education" Association is right off the typical union menu. Any time a union gets significant resistance to their whining about "fairness", they do the cheer-leading "solidarity" T-shirt/Bumper Sticker ploys. After that fails, personal attacks on high-profile members of the opposition, some less subtle than others, inevitably follow. The more scared the union gets, the more offensive they become. It can be quite entertaining, for those who remain out of the line of fire.
3) Remember, though, that 10,000 tax-paying families and businesses CAN'T GET OUT of the line of fire here. There is nowhere to go, unless one can find a sucker to buy ones way out of the mess that the School Board has gotten us all into.
Max
11:21 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
4) And remember this: the teachers are not a party to the contract. Neither are the tax-payers. The contract exists between the Union (Geneva Education Association [NEA]) and the School Board. < http://bit.ly/OJC25H >
5) Everything the Union does is done in order to make the Union look good to potential dues-payers. What motivates the School Board is sometimes more difficult to discern, but rest assured it is aimed at making their jobs easier, no matter the cost to the taxpayers. If it were otherwise, would they have lied to us?
6) If voters are not exercising effective control over the School Board (and from the looks of our 300+ million high-rate debt, we are not), then we are all just hapless passengers on this rudderless Titanic known as D-304. We must not allow the Board to knuckle-under to the "Education" Association. The Board have already proven that they need lots of adult supervision. Without it, who knows what they will give away this time?
John R
11:00 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
@ Mitotero the guy pacing around at the back of the room was probably Bob McQ. He normally paces in the back or sits on the edge of the stage, resting his head in his hands, directly behind the podium. I actually find it a bit unsettling.
I like Jeff agree that the taxfacts folks have some valid concerns. But for some reason they don't want to hear it. Especially, if you disagree with some of the ideas floated on these threads. Or God forbid stand up for the school board. And don't stick up for the teachers as they have plenty of disdain for them as well.
If you want first hand accounts reach out to a board member. Come to a meeting and witness it first hand. This Board is very conservative. They are good people from our community who have spent countless hours volunteering for this board.
It's a shame that they have been subjected to such intense community bullying. And even more of a shame that so many sit back and witness it and don't say a word.
Thanks for speaking up Mitotero. I'm hoping to make the next meeting. I normally sit in the back left hand corner. Feel free to introduce yourself.
John Rice