We have to WAIT to see the results? This is an insult to every taxpayer in this community.

I agree. The BOE should post the tentative agreement on line now. If the BOE is representing the Geneva taxpayers why shouldn't we have the opportunity to review the agreement before the BOE finalizes it?

I believe we elect a BOE to represent the taxpayer. What exactly would you do with the information in the next 48 beside use it for internet message board fodder? Let them do their jobs. If you don't like the results, run for a seat on the BOE.

You were notified on Saturday that school was in session UNLESS you heard otherwise.

I agree with Julie. This is ridiculous! My best hope now is that Carol Young cashes in on that early retirement so that we don't have to look at her anymore. The STRIKING green shirt teachers have permanently lost my respect.

50 bucks say those lovely green shirts will show themselves on Thursday. The BOE should have put that to end in the contract! Again...wear your green shirts at home, to the grocery store or to your Master's Degree classes...not to school.

Let the name calling begin! Typical stuck-up people from Geneva.

Chris do you know Tom Fortune? If not, you two should be introduced. I think you would get along fabulously! It has been said that he makes really good hot chocolate that is nice and chocolatey. Maybe you talk over a cup.

Julie, that goes both ways, the teachers will never forget either. Bottom line is that without collaboration nothing ever gets done. E-mail drivel is counter productive and mean spirited. If you wish to enact change get involved and participate in your government. I read one post that stated, if you moved to Geneva you knew what you were buying into, great schools high property taxes. Suck it up excel in your job and man up. Of course the economy could always be better for some of us it hasn't been the mess that everyone on these posts seem to think.

I would like to thank both the BOE and GEA in getting a deal done. While there was a little damage done to the community, I believe we learned a valuable lesson. We need settle outstanding issues much early next time. This community almost imploded on itself and could of made Geneva a place not live. The sad part is many who complained and whined on this blog showed their true colors and actually gave me my first reason ever to be embarrassed that I live in this so-called great community of Geneva. I am glad this over. Hopefully, we can move forward.

Marie M., I could not have said this any better. This is exactly how I feel, and I'm sure many other parents do, too.

Awesome!

Having come to this District from the Catholic school system, the thing I love the most about Geneva is the borderline religous teachings - love one another, treat others with kindness and respect, forgiveness. We need to remember that we volunteer and donate to make our children's lives better. While the teachers will be inconvenienced by a parent strike, the only persons truly hurt by it will be our kids. As a work-outside-of-the-house parent without the ability to donate time during the weekday, I appreciate your help and so do my kids. Please don't punish the kids out of anger towards the teachers. It doesn't serve anyone well. Hate breeds hate; anger breeds anger. Both sides of the coin did what they believed to be best, whether we agree or not, we must now work together to repair the damage done so our District can retain its reputation as a well-respected, excellent provider of education.

I seriously doubt the kids will be hurt if the teachers don't get their monthly breakfasts and conference dinners.

Take off your rose colored glasses Lynda. The teachers wanted MORE $$$$ from our wallets and you quickly assume the BOE didn't give them what they want? The teachers were willing to walk off their jobs to get more cash & then in the zero hour they magically threw up their hands and said, "Ooops. Sorry taxpayers. We were wrong. We will go back and do the job we were hired to do?". Wake up! If this isn't such a big deal Lynda than please explain WHY we have to wait until after Wednesday to see the (signed) agreement? This is an insult to taxpayers. You must be a "renter" with no stake in the game. Or if you are a homeowner feel free to open up your wallet wider because we have NO more money to give these well compensated teachers (A middle school art teacher makes over 100K a year for 8 months of work and this does not even include their benefits/compensation package!). Further, we have several families in our neighborhood who have been looking for work for 18 months. Try telling them it's okay to rape them some more to ensure that our-pampered-teachers-are-well-taken-care-of when these families are struggling to put a roof over their children's heads and food on the table.

Rape? You are out of your effing mind.

Hopefully, all parties put us into consideration. I mean, I like that my kids get a great education. But if I can't afford to live here what's the point. Its all about our tax dollars anyway. Right?

Much agreed! Thank you BOE for your dedication and commitment. With the exceptionally hectic week they had, our BOE still took the time to attend the fall play at the high school. We thank you!

@LaurieGrant: The BOE had an "exceptionally hectic week and took time to attend the fall play?" There are no words for this ridiculous statement.

@kathy: Excuse me. Did I miss something here? Does the BOE produce a product or service which gives them the power to negotiate? Where do you think the BOE gets their power Kathy? This would be from us, aka the taxpayers! Perhaps you missed the Econ 101 class-- we have two sides negotiating using our money and yet we as the investors have no voice in the outcome. This is absurd.

R Barna I understand your frustration for sure! I want to see the final agreement.

I think Kathy was only making a comment that we now have to move forward and what is done is done. I do believe that Kathy was in the camp of not supporting the GEA like myself and you too. Please all of us in the same camp should not turn on each other but work to find a way to organize together as a community that cares about fiscal responsibility. The GEA would love it if we turned on each other. If we can organize and stick together we will be that much stronger when the next contract comes.

Everyone should attend the BOE meeting tonight. Just because the teacher's contract is appartently over we still have a lot of work to do if we don't want to see our property taxes skyrocket into the stratusphere.

R Barna, my point here is, if there are issues we are not happy with in this contract, we can revisit it in three years, there honestly isn't anything we can do about it now. The school board is made up of elected officials, I guess if you are not happy once we see how everything shakes out, then by the time the next negotiation rolls around you could be on the board if you'd like. It could be an entirely new board for that matter, considering the timing. Believe me, I would love to see an end to retirement spiking and step and lane altogether. You and I do not disagree here.

I agree with your sentiments. Here's a tax fact: Kane County property taxes happen to fall within the top .008% as a percentage of median income compared to other counties throughout the nation. Our property taxes as a percentage of property value put us in the top .019%. The median county property tax falls in the top 1% nationally. Granted living in Illinois skews us a bit, but these are still disturbing numbers and consistently increasing tax obligations jeopardize the future vibrancy of the area. And by "future vibrancy" I also mean the quality of the schools.

Tanya I am a little skeptical that you are a student since your post came after the school day started at GHS. However, I will take you at your word that you are a student.

Your comments must also be directed to the GEA and the teachers. There have been teachers, supporters of teachers,the GEA and a husband of one of the teachers on the negotiating team that was the biggest abuser on the patch of posting mean comments.

Once you are out in the real world you will also learn some other lessons. For one you will learn that if you are not in a union job you cannot make demands for increased pay and benefits just because you want them. Hopefully, you will also learn that when there is an economic crisis everyone must share in the hard times.

Lastly, the most important lesson that hopefully you will learn when you don't have money you shouldn't go spending it.

Sue J....You're talking out of your _ _ _ again. Post truths...not ASSumptions.

Tanya please review the comment below by Tom Fortune. He is a supporter of the GEA and one of the biggest haters on the patch. Your words should be directed at him.

Tom I knew I could count on you to show Tanya an example of a hater that supports the teachers and the GEA. Thanks!

I was wondering when Tom would show up with his words of wisdom. I'm going to pour myself another cup of coffee and let the day's entertainment begin!

You're right...I'm a hater...a hater of people that post with a lack of information and assumptions.

Tanya, I hope you mean ALL of the adults, and not just the ones you disagree with honey. Believe me there has been sniping and name calling on both sides here, and while it isn't productive I guess you have learned a lesson anyway. You have no idea what the tone or content is in my home, so please refrain from making assumptions dear. And please learn this as well...disagreeing is not bullying. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, so you'd better get used to people not agreeing with you without labeling them a bully sweetheart.

Tanys, we adults who HAVE negotiated at our jobs, for rent or buying a house or car, do understand TRUE negotiations. And that is why we are disappointed that the GEA has chosen to expose the students to what you would have us refer to as "the bad side" of the process. Someone who says, "I know you are asking $10, but would you consider $5?" is negotiating. Someone who sticks a gun in my ribs and says, "Gimme your money or else." is not a negotiator, no matter your try to spin it.

Tom keep going you are getting better and better at your hating! Better have some hot chocolate to calm yourself!

Tanya T Student - that's the most mature comment I've EVER seen on the patch! Bravo!

Tanya, you are very much entitled to your opinion and I appreciate that you have expressed yourself so eloquently. After 25 years in the work force I have learned that unless you have a union job, demanding a raise in the way that has transpired, in the economic state that presents iteself, will most likely get you fired. Especially if there are thousands of capable people applying to take your place. The situation at hand is hardly the way negotiations work in the real world. I'm afraid that if that if you take these tactics with you into the workforce you will quickly find yourself unemployed.

Tanya, good for you to read the news and get involved. You are our future and I hope you are able to take many lessons away from this experience: negotiating, the importance of budgeting, and most importantly, that you are who you present yourself to be - watch your words in public, they will be the first impression many people get of you and be extremely mindful of what you put in writing - it's harder to forget written word because it's always there and can't be taken back. Don't be afraid of unions, they're there to protect their members. (My husband is in manufacturing and without his union he'd be busting his hump for minimum wage and no benefits. We lived in Florida for a time - a non-union state - and believe me this was true!) BUT, do realize that the non-union world does not work like this. If you tell your boss (or teacher, or mother for that matter) that it's your way or you're walking out, expect to be forced to leave. Tanya, keep reading up on the world around you - you and your peers will be running it some day. Learn from our mistakes and forgive yourself when you make your own (there will be many) and be as respectful to others as you demand for yourself. Somewhere during all of this, we forgot we are talking to our neighbors, our fellow parishioners, our schoolmates, our friends and friends' children on here.

Very well said, Tanya....from the mouths of students!!! The lessons we can learn from our own children!!!!

Tanya,

Spoken like a mature adult. Maybe some parents on this disrespectful blog can learn a lesson from your post.

Jill yes life will move on but we cannot forget. We have to still remember so we will not be abused by the machine the next time.

Jill
I agree with your point that we need to let go and move on. However, I strongly disagree that we have to go back to the status quo of volunteering and providing $$$ for the teacher's every need/want/desire. We have enabled them to become entitled in their thinking and actions because we wanted the best for our kids. Now many of us realize that the countless hours we spend volunteering and the $$$ we donate isn't really for the kids, it is to make the teacher's work life more comfortable (they don't make their own copies, organize learning centers, etc) Our time and our $$ has been taken for granted by many teachers in Geneva. I will no longer volunteer full time because I will need to go back to work to be able to afford the taxes to live in Geneva (because I cannot sell since my house value dropped below what we paid for it!) And lucky us, we get to face this again in three years!

Miss M....then DON'T volunteer. Here's what I said before about it...
How will the teachers survive? Maybe the same way the High School teachers do it with no parental help. The elementary teachers let you come into the classroom as a courtesy. They really don't NEED your help.
They appreciate your help but don't think for a minute that they need it...especially when you throw it back in their face when you don't get your way.
There are PLENTY of other parents who will help out and fill your shoes. Just stay at home and pout...

Tom you didn't listen to me. Have some hot chocolate to calm down. Why are you so upset? Did your "assistance" in the negotiations yield an unpleasant result?

Sue...Unpleasant results??? Are you kidding me? The teachers called the BOE on their unethical games they played out of the public's eye...the teachers are back at work today. Unpleasant? Really? I'm very pleased for the teachers of this great town!

Tom there you go making ASSumptions that the BOE played unethical games. If they don't immediately cave to the union they are unethical. Is the GEA holding our children's education hostage unethical?

We know you are an administrator in another district that was just assisting with the negotiations. You better get back to your hot chocolate break.

Sue J...you're assuming they're assumptions I am making. They are not...they are fact. You're also assuming that I helped in the negotiations. I did not. I just have a lot of administrator friends.

Tom F. said "They really don't NEED your help. They appreciate your help but don't think for a minute that they need it." Really? Then why do I have countless emails from many teachers asking me when I can come in and help out with this project or that center? Once again you do not have any credibility.

Tom did you get your hot chocolate in this morning yet? Maybe you haven't had time because you have been talking to your "administrator friends" gettting the inside scoop.

You have posted many times implying that you have inside information. I think your facts are really assumptions.

You haven't even SEEN the proposal yet!! Jeesh!

Agree LISA R, it will be many years before the wounds are healed from this one. To that we can thank the technology of the day and these damn posts.

You are only seeing one side.

Wow Martha, another one who doesn't see how organized sports (and other activities!) help our children in their education, and honestly, every participant actually pays for their sport. Don't worry, I am sure there is going to be some cutting in admin costs somehow. And your "shut up and go away" mentality is interesting, because that is not "why our schools are in trouble." Talk about late to the party. You have about three months of catching up to do apparently.

Hey Martha, go back to praising the states that passed pot smoking legislation and your initiative to get it passed in Illinois. You make more sense there.

Martha, to say that "organized sports and parent's constant whining are why our schools are in trouble." is just not true. It's way more complex than that, evidenced by the past 6 months in our district.
Parents are vocal for one reason...just one. They are advocating for their children.
Maybe they aren't articulate or eloquent, but to call them constant whiners is...well...it's name calling. And achieves nothing.
So what's your solution to fixing our schools? I know, let's just not allow parents to voice their opinions and also eliminate organized sports. Why didn't anyone think of this before?

huh? That makes zero sense and means nothing to this discussion.

"Parents you are the reason for all of this,parents demand services, parents demand special accomdations (sp) for their children"

Martha, I find this a surprising comment from someone whose " Martha Hanna for Kane County Board 11" page lists her as being (or having been) a Tutor at Kane County Juvenille Justice Center AND Special Education Asst.

Taken as a comment from Jeff's latest column from Martha Hanna:

"I am on a mission to make get Medical Marijuana legal in Illinois. I have written to both Kay Hatcher and Jim Oberwiess. I am proud of the people in Oregon, Washington and Colorado."

Martha: Pretty much no one (excluding refuse companies, septic firms, and composters), likes waste.

Now, some excerpts from the Facebook page: Martha Hanna for Kane County Board 11

My mantra for the county board is "Do not spend if you do not have" My opponent's plans for Settler Hill will far suceed (sic) the money we have for the project. I fear the Settler Hill Master Plan will end up in higher costs for the taxpayer.

(Guess the BOE situation is a different story, though...they should go ahead and spend what WE don't have)

"The article in the Daily Herald was not very flattering of me. The two main points I stressed was the the Settler Hill Plan as is will cost the taxpayer. The current plan my opponent is proposing needs to be scaled back to stay on budget."

("needs to be scaled back to stay on budget".., and how about the GEA demands?)

Martha,

If the parents are so troublesome, why don't the teachers just ignore them?

Actually, the fact that a teacher talks about parents in such a manner is quite telling. This teacher appears to have very little respect for her student's parents and comfortably shares this opinion with her family, if this Martha poster is, indeed, a parent of a teacher. Hmmm....looks like respect is a big word, these days. Us (teachers) vs them (parents). I'd say so.

"How will the teachers survive? Maybe the same way the High School teachers do it with no parental help. The elementary teachers let you come into the classroom as a courtesy. They really don't NEED your help.
They appreciate your help but don't think for a minute that they need it...especially when you throw it back in their face when you don't get your way. "

Jen, Mr. Fortune is only displaying a very typical shallow and selfish entitlement mentality that when challenged in a discussion, the reciprocation is negative and leveraged illogically.

Mitch Dinges - lost me there for a minute - say, is Spock ghostwriting for you?

I agree with Very Sad". I think there should be a limit on how much a teacher can make as a teacher. I once worked for the government, and when I reached the top of my scale - no more - raises, unless I could become reclassified to another position. And I am sorry but I don't really think the master's degree increase and paying for it
should be done in grade school and middle school. It just dosn't take a master's degree to teach gym class, 2nd and third grades.

Very Sad- Your statement "tenure is what under-performing teachers hide behind", is generalizing at best,it should be noted that tenure , as most people assume to know it, has changed drastically over the past two years. Tenure is little more than a "rite of passage" for new teachers now. Teacher evaluations have also become much more accountable to the point that you will unlikely see many poor teachers in years to come. Very few careers impact our society as much as teachers do, so it's inevitable that they are put under a microscope each and every day. As many people have stated...the bottom line is our children and their education. I knew when I moved here over 20 years ago that the Geneva schools were excellent and that came with a price tag...like it or not. When comparing the teachers' salaries to other school districts in Dupage and Kane Counties, they are not any where close to the top....I believe we get a lot of "bang for our buck"! Time to heal and get on with our lives, instead of bashing and whining over what has happened. If you don't like what the BOE has done, feel free to get on the Board the next election. We elected them and they volunteer a great deal of time and energy to help us run a multi-million dollar organization....give credit where credit is due.

Cameras in the classroom? Good one!
Mayor Burns to install cameras? On what authority? You're delusional if you think a mayor can do that. Besides...2 schools are not even in his jurisdiction.

Tom is was a joke about the cameras. See you didn't get to drink your hot chocolate and now you are crabby.

I am glad you enjoyed it.

Let's be reasonable adults here.

After reading the contract, I SMH, ROFLMAO, BOHICA, BRL, CMU, and the list goes on.

I have never read a contract so absurd. The system is broke and it needs a fixin'.

If I was on the BOE, I would have put a red "X" on every page of the Teachers Contract with the word delete and rolled a dead fish in it and given it to the mediator to give to the GEA.

This idea was fully embraced by Karen Lewis and her mob. NOT.

Let's do it!

.

Karen Lewis: “Let me tell you, I spent those [college] years, smoking lots of weed...."

<http://nation.time.com/2012/09/11/meet-karen-lewis-the-union-leader-at-the-center-of-the-chicago-teachers-strike/>;

Another vote for drug-testing for all Illinois teachers?

Jan...you did have a say when you voted for the open positions on the board of education. Other than that, they don't need your help. That's why there are a panel of people who were elected to make the decisions. Remember...the reputation of this great school district is what's keeping our houses from hitting rock bottom.

Tom, With the huge burden of debt that the district is currently carrying, there is no money to be had for the sorts of entitlements and raises, cost of living or not, that have been bandied about here. If you don't have the money now, then you can't spend it now. When the district gets out of debt or is headed to getting out of debt, fine. I don't know about YOU, but MY real estate taxes went up 22% last year. Yep, you got that right. I also took a look at where the lions share of that went..... and it was to the schools.

Well said Sue S. I'm also happy that an agreement was reached!

Sue please do not look at this from one side. Many people on the patch are frustrated on how we felt about the GEA's entitlement position.

Please also give yourself and the parents credit for how their children perform as well. When there is an underperforming teacher we take action and personally take responsbility to make sure our children understand the material. Our children are not the people that they are solely because of the teachers.

What people are fed up with is an entitlement attitude that the union portrays. That is why the comments and discussions get heated. At first the union was refusing to take a hard freeze in the first year when every other employment group in the district previously did. Why did the teachers feel that they were above that?

There are two sides to every story. May I suggest that you look at the salary and benefit schedule posted on the district's website then you can decide if they are underpaid not base your statement on comments you read on the patch.

I am not sure I would lable Geneva as a "Porsche." I have lived here for 20 years and have two children currently in the district. Geneva is a great town but it is not solely on the backs of the teachers.

Sue S - I fear your "Porsche" needs a better restraint system; although there does seem to be some "overcompensation" for that lack of restraint, made possible by the GEA Airbags.

Really Sue S. you're embarrassed? So none of us model respect, kindness and compassion because we have opinions about the Geneva teachers and their demands? I am sorry I have a problem with demands for more more when there is financial considerations. Many families are struggling because of what we have been through with this economy. These times have taken a toll on everything in our lives. Some of us have rolled with the punches and done what we need to do to keep going and survive these unforeseen economic difficulties. Many have taken pay freezes to help keep their companies afloat and much more. The District feels that the freezes on administration is not enough and now it needs to roll on to the teachers as well. But the teachers say NO! we will get our raises! I am sorry but I find that very selfish! We all need to do our part to move through these times and come out strong and if that means you take a freeze than TAKE IT! It does not mean that teachers are under valued it means that we are all in this together and we all have to do our part to get through. It is selfish to subject the rest of the community to an even bigger burden because the teachers need their % and their 100% medical coverage and their pension and their 8 months work year! You choose to be a teacher because you loved teaching & children REMEMBER?? It's not an entitlement! A freeze is not forever its a contribution to getting through these times & gaining back our economic strength!

Sue- My thoughts exactly.....yesterday was the first time ever reading The Patch and I am appalled at most of the comments I have read in the past two days! I could spend hours reacting to countless posts, but I have neither the energy nor the time! I have written 5 posts since yesterday and I am sure I have swayed no one to my point of view.....which mirrors yours exactly. I believe I have already wasted too much time and definitely raised my blood pressure along with it! I'm done...keep up the good fight, Sue S.!!

Unhappy, it's your own fault you stayed up all night waiting for an announcement. Your instructions were to plan on attending school UNLESS notified otherwise around 5:30 a.m.!

Right because it makes so much sense to pick up and move because we are struggling and can't afford our teachers along with everything else. Sooooo unrealistic! Are you clueless to the struggle that some families are going through right now? Why can't teachers stand by the rest of the community and make a sacrifice instead of demands? Why should we take on a bigger burden of tax hikes to make sure that our teachers get a raise every year? In my perspective it's asking the teachers to come together but instead they positioned themselves higher than the rest of us, that is entitlement!

But Bob I am sure even without seeing the teacher contract you can agree that the teachers settlement will have a very small tax implication to the Geneva Homeowners. Please tell everyone what over 80% of the increase will be from?
Thanks for setting the record straight with your upcoming response and not mixing apples and oranges.

John S
This years budget did not include any increase for the teachers so if a freeze was accepted, the only addition would be for those that receive the lane movement for Masters. Year 2 of the contract (taxes paid in June & Sept 2013) hasn't been published but it appears the increase will cost @$600,000. Your taxes will increase for two reasons 1. The BOE is asking for more money than this current year 2. The debt service repayment will increase $1.4 million over this year. That said, salaries and benefits will still be the largest expense to the district. Hope that answers your question.

She is wise beyond her years to you mom because she agrees with you. Not sure how you know her well enough to say she has flexibility and communication skills, or that she has even chosen a career. Do you know her "mom"? Well, she is sure making a lot of assumptions about what we are teaching and talking to our kids about regarding this issue, so I wouldn't be encouraging her to jump to conclusions when she has absolutely no facts to back her up. Not a good lesson "mom". Neither is her labeling of people with different opinions a good thing.

Martha, you have not backed up your comment regarding organized sports. I am curious why you think they are a bad thing? Did you know that just this past fall, more than 1/3 of the student body at Geneva High School participated in a fall sport? I am not even counting the Marching Band kids, who clearly benefit from the new field and sport of football in general. And this is only in the fall! Countless others participate in winter and spring sports as well. AND, what about the choirs, plays, clubs, all of those other activities that students can participate in after school, are those bad as well? I just don't understand your perspective. I know that all of those extracurricular things sure helped my daughter get into the college of her choice. Please, enlighten me.

Dogood...Gotta hand it to you....that was a good one! LOL

Yes, Jim you are correct they(union) are moving to the next fight. They are picketing on the CPS school closures as there is a plan to close the schools which are half empty and under used. So the games continue.

Our Government is broken as well.

I author and negotiate contracts as a part of my job responsibility.

Scott, it is VERY unfair of you to criticize Fox News like that ! I was SO tired of hearing all the bad things being said about both the GEA and the BOE that I decided I needed to block out the angry rants. I just couldn't sleep, I kept hearing all the angry words running through my head as I lay in bed. So I decided I would just order a white noise machine to save my sanity!

I found one on the Fox News Store site (it was available for a fair and balanced price) and ordered it.. Well, it took it a while to get here, delivery was a little slow, but it finally arrived ! I plugged it in and VOILA, out came all kinds of white noise - there's audio clips of Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Don Imus. It was JUST the trick - I turn it on at night, and my mind shuts down in MINUTES !

(BTW - Not necessarily a reflection of my true feelings. Conservative Right, don't all gang up on me, I just couldn't resist having a little fun)

@ScottEdwards: To paraphrase Scott : "You must all believe everything Fox News tells you". Fox News? What does Fox News have to do with this issue? Thank you Mr. Edwards. Spoken like a true liberal. Further, many of us negotiate contracts except for maybe errr... "Tanya the Student" (cough cough) contract negotiations are disclosed to all interested parties prior to signature, not after the fact when there is no recourse made available to either party.

<Most workers have doubled their duties as employees are continuously laid off. Most times they are not compensated. Most business and commissioned people take work home 24/7 including the holidays and are not compensated any more. Some are not compensated at all for extra hours..just part of their job

Shelly, all you mentioned would be so wonderful if it were really true. Maybe we could also add explaining to us how their master's degree helps them be a better teacher of the subject they are teaching.

@Da man

Now that you are less than three (<3) Geneva teachers, we will not hold that against you. You will be protected under the current Contract.

We saw Saturday's performance. The kids obviously had a lot of fun, and they did a god job.

Wow, what a pompous comment, showing total lack of understanding of what has occurred in the economy... especially the manufacturing segment. Read a newspaper.

WMD, this is not HATE this is called fiscal responsibility. The Board has been given the priviledge to be stewards for the taxpayers funds. Are you not aware of the 300 million debt?.You are glad this is over?This is far from being over us taxpayers have a bond repayment for the next 15 years! Our taxes will increase every year.

WMD Unfortunately, most people cannot sell their home to move anywhere. If you are moving up you can take a hit, but if you are moving to a smaller home you loose big time. Try refi your house now. Ours is worth what it was when we built 20 yrs ago. If you want to give a teacher 1.5% raise then give ALL non union raises across the board in Geneva and Kane country that have not had raises in five years. Probably will total more than 2%. You must be doing very well for yourself. This is not the time for raises. What happened to Obama's patience for raises so everyone gets a fair shake for a job? OOps thats right, unions pulled off the election for him so Santa owes whatever the unions wants big time.

Don't lose all hope. I finally realized that "this community" is actually about 5 people who post under 10 different names each. Patch despite their intent is not representative of the real Geneva community.

@WMD: For the record there are many individuals that have not had the luxury of a gtd raise & or increased benefit/pension package however, we continue to work because we have responsibilities to meet ie feeding our children, providing a roof over their heads, paying utility bills, making a car payment... you know, those pesky little things that come from depressed- folks- trying- to make ends meet. But what we don't do is teach our children to stomp their feet and walk away from their responsibilities when demands in the workplace are not met.

Have to agree with Bob Johnson. If you read all of the pro-union comments together, they use the same language, syntax, phrases, have a lot of inside information about the negotiations. ....and are probably one or two people, trying to look like an army.
They all use words like "haters, bashers, stripping step and lane." They (he) also calls us unhappy, angry and sad, just because we have a differing opinion. No, this person, posing as many, is no representative of the Geneva I know, and probably doesn't even live here.
But thanks to the rest of you with positive, constructive ideas!

#G Ryan The 300 million dollar debt has nothing to do with the teachers or their CBA.

I agree with you Jon this is an outrage all of it. The entitlement mentality of "You owe me because I exist" is a form of bullying from the unions who support Illinois politicians. The educational system has become a political platform to harass Boards and threaten them with lawsuits to get their agendas passed. This occurrence happened in several districts here in Illinois.

Hi Jon,
Well we are in our 60's and no retirement in sight.

# John S, how do you figure the 300 million dollar debt has nothing to do with the teachers or their CBA?

Bill, If teaching is so difficult why did the teachers chose it? Also, alot of parents from what I have heard pay outside tutors for their children. So I still would like to see a quantitative correlational analysis study which quantifies paying teachers more money guarantees a quality education.

Bill please answer how a masters degree in administration benefits the children?

Oh and Bill I have lived here for 20 years. Yes, I still have kids in school. The taxes were not always out of control - probably in the last 10 years so it was well after I moved in.

Really G.Ryan? Your comment shows just how out of touch you are with the education system. Maybe they went into teaching because it is a challenge. You try spending your day in a self contained special ed class and see how long you last. I give you about an hour. And for the parents spending a lot of money on tutors, maybe sit down with your kids a couple of hours a day and work with them first. Show them that YOU care. And for the rest of you out there, go ahead and stop volunteering. Did you ever stop to think that YOUR kids love having you there? Do it for your kids, not the teachers. Reading these post here on the Patch just shows what a bunch of selfish pigs we have in this town. Before you sit here and rip on all the teachers and say they do nothing, go spend a day with them. Get involved. Talk to a teacher that has 22 regular kids and 2 special needs students in the same class. Ask that teacher if working on a degree in special ed helped make them a better teacher. As for the masters' in administration, maybe that teacher wants to move into a principle job in Geneva. If you don't know the true workings of the education system, don't bash it.

Trixie, according to 560 WIND news, the teachers plan to vote on the new contract on Wednesday and they did mention a pay freeze for the 1st year. This is all I know.

$3K to $10K, Really? If we spent $100 for prep material for our 3 kids, that was a lot. And yes, they did very well. We did everything we could to take the time to work with our kids. Who told them they needed to spend that kind of money? Maybe the tutors? Sorry parents, but there are a lot of kids out there that just don't try. Why, because they say, "I don't care. My parents will pay someone to try and help me." And yes, I have heard them say this.

@R Barna- Really $3K to $10 K for college prep classes...that is crazy!! I spent $350 for each of my three older children and they scored extremely high on the ACT. Really, you must be exaggerating! As far as comparing private schools (i.e. Catholic) to public schools, that would be like comparing apples to oranges as "Thomas" implied. A more logical comparison would be to compare Marmion and Rosary to I.M.S.A. So which teachers should be paid the most and who would make that decision? You obviously don't consider art to be important...I am sure there are many art students( and their parents) who may plan on a career in the field of art, who believe those instructors should actually be the highest compensated teachers. How about graphics or automotives....or drama, p.e. or special education? The list goes on...what you may deem as important to your child's education may not align itself with other tax payers' opinions. I have lived in the same house for 16 years and my taxes haven't even reached any where near an increase of 30%, much less 45% during that time...maybe your house was under assessed when you bought it as that happened to me on my previous house.

For the same reason that D-304 teachers would have been content to work in Geneva for the next three years for the same level of compensation at which they worked the 2011/2012 year, absent the aggravations caused to the entire community by the GEA/IEA.

You can't have it both ways, btown95.

Yes, Sue why should a grade school Gym teacher need a master's degree let alone two to teach gym? It is done purely to inflate their salary. I do not feel the tax payers should be on the hook for paying for needless masters degrees just to raise salaries. Maybe then we could offer more to starting teachers or give better raises for the teachers that do deserve them.

Sue do you know how many teachers holding masters degrees in administration we have in our school district? There are a lot. Why should the tax payers pay that so the teachers can game the system. If the teachers were getting a masters degrees in their subject matter that they teach that would be a totally different ball game!

This gaming of the system with masters degrees led to the district paying a Driver's Ed teacher $124,000. Shouldn't we be spending our money better?

@R Barna-"Unions dictate day/day operations, who gets hired, to the curriculum..." Really??? Then why do we have administrators in our schools if the unions are running the show? I know of NO school where the union is involved in any hiring process or curriculum decisions. My sister is a superintendent of schools and when I read her your comments, she laughed hysterically!! You really have no clue how public schools work...."day/day operations"...I am still chuckling at that one. Ask any administrator you know, as they are not members of the teachers' union, if ANY of what you implied is true....I guarantee you will find that you are dead wrong! You obviously have a beef with the teacher unions, but don't go on here and spew nonsense that you assume to be true....someone might believe you!

@Bill: 22 students in a classroom is a luxury. In many private schools the class size is doubled & they have no monies for an assistant. My father had 59 students in his class, taught by one nun and they all managed to graduate high school. Most went on to a trade school, college or entered the military during the Korean War. Back then children were taught to respect teachers & administrators however, in todays climate if a teacher as-much-as looks cross at a student, that teacher is quickly reported by the student and then reprimanded. This results in teachers not being able to discipline students in fear of a parent filing a lawsuit OR worse, having to get the union involved. Too, I support pay raises and compensation when the market dictates it. We are in a recession and if you look at the economy there are plenty of people getting pink slips thus, this is not the time nor place to demand more money when we have people in this community trying to hold on to their homes. And the snarky comment about special needs children is out of line. The example was directed at students who struggle with a particular subject, not born with a disability.

I find it very insulting that you would call me a "carpetbagger" with no idea where I live or how much I earn. Your "holier than thou" attitude in insulting. I can tell you, if you do pay 20K in taxes as earlier posts suggest, that I in fact pay more than that. Very happily I might add. Geneva is one of the best cities around, it has great schools, great community programs, great park district facilities. Those things aren't free. If you are so disenchanted by what you get for your tax dollars, why do you choose to continue to live in Geneva?

It would see an area like Highland Park or Barrington Hills would be much more suited for your pompous attitude of entitlement. Surely there are fewer "carpetbaggers" and renters in those parts. Your attitude sickens me.

I've no idea how much you earn, but feel it is much too much for what you do. I find it ironic that in a quick search of Geneva, Tax Payers, no one with the name Jon Azavedo appears. So either you are a "carpetbagger" as well trying to appear as not, or you don't live and pay taxes in Geneva. Quite an irony.

Wow, Bill, is your nickname "Sherlock," or have you never heard of a land trust? I am, in fact a disgruntled Geneva taxpayer, as I think the majority of the community is becoming. Great for you that you pay more than $20k in taxes-take a look at the school test rankings and you'll find Geneva middle of the pack. If you pay that amount and are satisfied, you must have a double-digit IQ, or perhaps your dipping at the taxpayer trough-maybe your spouse is a teacher?

You are apparently easily insulted-my guess is you are one of the wonderful parents who have created the new generation of whiners, everyone they disagree with is a bully. Wise up, Bill, strap on a pair, demand more for your money then middling test results and the refusal to cap spending by a group of underacheivers who likely flunked out of pre-law, pre-med and business school and chose education as the easiest route to a degree.

@Jon- All I can say is WOW on your last statement "group of underacheivers who likely flunked out of pre-law, pre-med and business school and chose education as the easiest route to a degree"!! As a father of three teachers, I take umbrage with that statement, as I am sure thousands of teachers would also!! I can assure you that all three of my children were in the top 5% of their graduating classes with 30+ on their ACTs and they "answered their calling" to probably the most important field in our community!! Do you actually know any teachers...obviously not!! In most of the colleges now it is very difficult to even get in the college of education and even more difficult to graduate with a teaching degree!! The days that teachers sit around and give busy work or just lecture are long gone....the last couple of decades have brought in energetic and gifted people into the field of education. I honestly have no idea why anyone would want to subject themselves to that kind of public scrutiny (especially after reading most of these posts), but they do it because they want to make a positive impact on our society, to touch people's lives! Lastly, I would hardly say that "Bill" is easily insulted...you have been very demeaning and out right rude to say the least!

@Doug, when did an ACT score become a bellweather of future success, or even intelligence? Odd analogy. My comment is based on my own experiences. The Big Ten college I graduated from, w/ a business degree, had a demanding, mandatory curriculum which resulted in about 30% of the class failing during Junior year. ALL of the "failures" wound up transferring to the Education School as it was the easiest route to a diploma. Have things changed? Given the fact the the union is making these demands with the economy in it's current state, I would say no, the best and the brightest do not choose an education degree.

@Jon- The ACT only measures the probable success a student will have in college...the higher the score, usually means the more successful they will be in college. But, I would argue that there is definitely a correlation between success in college and success in one's vocation....so, hardly an "odd analogy" as you put it. Interesting that in your experience in college, students who flunked out of the college of business went into education because I have had just the opposite experience. Several of my college friends (now this is 40 years ago) did not like the rigors of teaching and ended up getting business degrees..and did quite well, I might add. From experiences of my own children and their friends, that is certainly more the norm...college students that could not meet the requirements to stay in the field of education transferred into other fields of study...including business (and yes, we are talking Big 10 schools). Your comments are demeaning to every teacher....I am certainly glad that my children have not had to deal with parents with your mentality to their chosen profession!

Uh, no Doug-the ACT measures the ability of the student to retain prior lessons, as well as whether the student is adequately prepared for entry-level classes. Using the ACT as a measure of probable college success (graduation) is a belief held only by those individuals or parents who scored well on the test, and then decided to take a risk-free route through life, but need to argue their value to society during high school and college reunions. Or maybe the score is just pointed out by those who view it as a lifetime achievement. Hot tip-Anyone over the age of 30 who brings up what college they graduated from, such as "I went to Harvard, where did you go" or worse, their ACT score, probably got pantsed as a kid.

Jon- Undoubtedly, you think you are an expert in everything, including the ACT. Actually the ACT/SAT scores correlate very highly to how a student will achieve in his freshman year in college. It also measures students' ability to understand, summarize, make simple inferences, and compare arguments from relatively sophisticated texts -- in other words, skills that students at competitive colleges must at minimum, possess in order to be successful. The state of Illinois is also one of a handful of states that uses the ACT to determine A.Y.P. for No Child Left Behind. Your statement "Anyone over the age of 30 who brings up what college they graduated from, such as "I went to Harvard, where did you go" or worse, their ACT score, probably got pantsed as a kid." ...I find almost comical, especially since it was YOU who brought up that you went to BIG 10 school!! LOL As the old saying goes...if the shoe fits, wear it. As the comedian and master of the malaprop, Norm Crosby, said "You can lead a man to a horse, but...."...in other words, I am done trying to convince you of anything because you already know it! Oh, and by the way, I am hardly naive...that parent interference may happen in the private schools, but I sincerely doubt it is happening in the public schools with any regularity. You have been a great source of amusement for me today...thanks!

@Doug: Read the above post.

Doug, really, you can't be this naive. Parental interference is a huge negative in both public and private schools. If little Johnny is reprimanded for talking in class, Johnny's parents will call and complain. It's even worse when it comes to sports teams...oooh, Johnny stinks and got cut, Daddy immediately calls to complain. And the parents telling you Marmion and Rosary have smaller class sizes are kidding you, try to justify their expenditure...those classes are 30 plus, just take a look at enrollment and number of classrooms. PS-Your third grade teacher called, she is still failing you for excessive and unnecessary use of punctuation!!!!!!!!