Markesan school fate up in air

Good information Joy, seems like another good reason the referendum should have been voted down, then you have a bargaining chip with the salary negotiations for a pay freeze, put together an new package, if nessesary, and go back in the fall for another vote.
Thanks Mike for bringing up the subject of the school boards conflicts of interest, If been saying that for some time, when the board presidents wife is a teacher and other board members as well or are retired teachers, are they going to vote to cut their own household incomes? NOT.
As for our lovely administrator, her retirement cannot come soon enough, I hope the board is already starting to put feelers out for perspective replacements for this...

...lady.

FYI Anyone on the board with a conflict of interest must abstain when taking a vote that affects them. When we discuss anything to do with their contracts,etc. these individuals leave the meeting. I also have not noticed people lining up to get their names on the schoolboard ballots. Talk is cheap.

I agree Joan, it is very sad there were no contested school board races this year. Only three districts came up and I don't live in any of them.
A lot of people are squeemish about going against an incumbent for a variety of personal reasons. I might suggest that when an incumbent is not seeking re-election that person should make it known publicly so others have an opportunity. Too often they just tag a buddy of theirs for the job and that person runs unopposed. I wish elected officials at all levels of government would remember that they represent the taxpayer, voter, citizen. Just because nobody ran against you doesn't give you license to pursue your own path. There's a whole big community out here made up of a lot of different people, elected officials need to consider that in all decisions they make.

I realize that Joy. But many of the comments being made about the Board have been unfair. And I believe it is true that many incumbents keep on running because no one else shows an interest in the job. We must make the decision not to run in December preceding the election and there are Board elections every year. I don't believe I just pursue my own path, we must represent many people not just those who are the most vocal. I enjoy the debate with you, as I feel you keep yourself informed.

Joan, One thing that I would like to see on our Markesan School District website is a page dedicated to the school board, who their members are and their districts, when are there terms up, what committees the preside on, and monthly board minutes and general information that the board is dealing with, I just read in the board minutes something about the district supplying email accounts for the board members, but what are they, how do I get ahold of them with my concerns? I live on the eastern edge of the district and work in Oshkosh, I seldom get to Markesan and I don't here all the juicy gossip around town. The reason the board is getting a bad rap is partially because they are not providing all the information to their constituents, that needs to be improved.

That is an excellent idea. I will certainly bring it up at the meeting next week. But to warn you, all of us have e-mail addresses, but all of us don't have computers so you may not get everyone's attention.

Here they are, Joan is correct some don't have computers and don't check their emails. I do agree there's a problem with access to school board members. The school website idea is great, I've mentioned it to Sue Alexander a few times, but so far there is no movement in that direction. How about televising school board meeting on the City of Markesan's public access television station. Yes, we do have one :)
Jim Bogutski <bogutjim@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;
Bill Kuehn <kuehnbil@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;
Darrell Fenske <fenskdar@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;
Joan Frederick fredejoa@markesan.k12.wi.us >;
Jon Clark <clarkjon@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;
Steve Nighbor <nighbste@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;
Terry Krombos <krombter@markesan.k12.wi.u s>; Dennis Grahn <grahnden@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;
Jon Laper <laperjon@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;
Roger Sell <sellrog@markesan.k12.wi.us >;
Dave Eiler <eilerdav@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;

Sorry Joan, I didn't mean you personally pursuing your own path, I meant elected officials in general. I appreciate you stepping forward to debate these issues, hope things didn't get too rough.

We don't know if the board's hands are actually tied or if unwarranted fear is just being instilled. Our current administrator is afraid of losing control of certain situations. That fear transforms itself into propaganda. WE WERE'NT GIVEN ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT IMPORTANT FACTS SURROUNDING THE REFERENDUM. We are learning there were options besides dissolution. Susan Alexander admitted to me that had the referendum failed the board could have considered another shot at it in June, as Green Lake is doing, BUT in the school's information sessionS prior to the ref. we were told, and I quote from the presentation, slide #16, "If the referendum fails, our only choice is dissolution."

United We Stand hopped on the bandwagon and told voters "School Board will vote on resolution to dissolve and Markesan Schools will close forever". United We Stand failed to disclose that the board could also vote NOT to dissolve, that the State could also deny dissolution, that an advisory referendum is something the State takes into consideration when determining whether to allow dissolution. Now we are going the same route with the teacher contracts. Mrs. Alexander's fear of not being in control transforms into again propaganda. Arbitration is a fair process to both sides.

Here are those other emails that didn't come through too well in the earlier post.
Terry Krombos <krombter@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;
Dennis Grahn <grahnden@markesan.k12.wi.u s>;

That's better

It is quite entertaining for me to read Joy Waterbury whine about the problems with Markesan Schools, that’s good stuff. It‘s funny to me because not all that long ago, Joy and the Markesan Regional Reporter carried a lot of water for Susan Alexander. Now to listen to her complain about a problem that she herself helped to create is just gravy. If you sleep with dogs sooner or later you will get fleas

where the hell does all the lotto money go that all these states take in? There has got to be one big scam, with all of these lotto commissions.

Joy Waterbury wrote:

I'm certainly not missing that point Joan. I respect that the school has made some cuts. I agree that Markesan's teachers are some of the best, but others are great also. I have a huge problem with teacher salary demands that until recently were State sanctioned. The rest of the nation has taken serious cuts to their salaries, why should teachers remain protected. Many currently unemployed teachers would jump at the chance to employ their skills at a lesser cost to the district. I also have a huge problem with my tax money going to fund unnecessary programs such as sports. If a student wants to participate they should have to pay. Pay to play is just one way to address a portion of the deficit. If the high school has room for 400 additional students why are we keeping an outdated, energy inefficient elementary school open. Move those kids to the high school and operate one building. These are difficult choices are you up for the challenge?:)

..........I find this discussion interesting because we are having money problems here in this Kentucky county. Programs and teachers are being cut and folk are trying to decide the most productive way to spend the money that we do have. As an ex teacher and school administrator I realize that teachers do not want to take pay cuts and booster clubs do not want to cut expenses for football and basketball. My opinion is that school boards with money problems should cut every thing that does not relate directly to educating the child. As a side bar, during my college years I worked in Markesan for Cal Pac. As a future teacher, I visited Markasan High school and was very much impressed.

Why does salaries need to be cut when part time teachers might fit the situation. Not that salaries and contracts give security, I do believe less contracts and more flexible workforce is needed to make changes that are needed. Sports are important to the development of a child. Markesan needs to think these changes thru. I was educated in the Fox Valley, I know in my heart you will make good decisions. Take baby steps to education changes.