Wisconsin Capitol protesters disrespect the Veterans Memorial

Outgoing NEA farewell speech

Transcript of speech:
“Despite what some among us would like to believe it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children and it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power.”

“And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year, because they believe that we are the unions that can most effectively represent them, the unions that can protect their rights and advance their interests as education employees.”

“This is not to say that the concern of NEA and its affiliates with closing achievement gaps, reducing dropout rates, improving teacher quality and the like are unimportant or inappropriate. To the contrary. These are the goals that guide the work we do. But they need not and must not be achieved at the expense of due process, employee rights and collective bargaining. That simply is too high a price to pay.”
Video of speech:

Two-Thirds of Wisconsin Public-School 8th Graders Can’t Read Proficiently—Despite Highest Per Pupil Spending in Midwest

Two-thirds of the eighth graders in Wisconsin public schools cannot read proficiently according to the U.S. Department of Education, despite the fact that Wisconsin spends more per pupil in its public schools than any other state in the Midwest.

In the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests administered by the U.S. Department of Education in 2009—the latest year available—only 32 percent of Wisconsin public-school eighth graders earned a “proficient” rating while another 2 percent earned an “advanced” rating. The other 66 percent of Wisconsin public-school eighth graders earned ratings below “proficient,” including 44 percent who earned a rating of “basic” and 22 percent who earned a rating of “below basic.”

The test also showed that the reading abilities of Wisconsin public-school eighth graders had not improved at all between 1998 and 2009 despite a significant inflation-adjusted increase in the amount of money Wisconsin public schools spent per pupil each year.

In 1998, according to the U.S. Department of Education, Wisconsin public school eighth graders scored an average of 266 out of 500 on the NAEP reading test. In 2009, Wisconsin public school eighth graders once again scored an average of 266 out of 500 on the NAEP reading test. Meanwhile, Wisconsin public schools increased their per pupil expenditures from $4,956 per pupil in 1998 to 10,791 per pupil in 2008. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator the $4,956 Wisconsin spent per pupil in 1998 dollars equaled $6,546 in 2008 dollars. That means that from 1998 to 2008, Wisconsin public schools increased their per pupil spending by $4,245 in real terms yet did not add a single point to the reading scores of their eighth graders and still could lift only one-third of their eighth graders to at least a “proficient” level in reading.

The $10,791 that Wisconsin spent per pupil in its public elementary and secondary schools in fiscal year 2008 was more than any other state in the Midwest.

Neighboring Illinois spent $10,353 per student in 2008, Minnesota spent $10,048 per student; Iowa spent $9,520 per student. Among Midwest states, Nebraska was second to Wisconsin in per pupil spending in its public schools, spending $10,565 per student.

Of these nearby states, only Minnesota did slightly better teaching reading to its public school students. In 2009, 39 percent of eighth graders in Minnesota public schools earned a rating of “proficient” or better in reading, and the average eighth grade reading score in the state was 270 out of 500.

In Illinois, only 32 percent of eighth graders earned a rating of “proficient” or better in reading, and the average eighth grade reading score was 265 out of 500. In Iowa, only 32 percent of eighth graders earned a rating of “proficient” or better in reading, and the average reading score was 265 out of 500. In Nebraska, only 35 percent of eighth graders earned a rating of “proficient” or better in their public schools, and the average reading score was 267 out of 500.

Nationwide, only 30 percent of public school eighth graders earned a rating of “proficient” or better in reading, and the average reading score on the NAEP test was 262 out of 500.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress explains its student rating system as follows: “Basic denotes partial mastery of prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficient work at each grade. Proficient represents solid academic performance. Students reaching this level have demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter. Advanced represents superior performance.”

In other words, despite the $10,791 that taxpayers were paying to educate students in Wisconsin public schools, two-thirds of eighth graders in those schools showed at best only a “partial mastery of prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficient work” at that grade level.

In fiscal 2008, the federal government provided $669.6 million in subsidies to the public schools in Wisconsin.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/two-thirds-wisconsin-public-school-8th-g

LETTER FROM MADISON STUDENT TO PRINCIPAL AND SUPERINTENDENT

Senior at Madison Memorial High School

Dear Mr. Dahmen, Dr. Nerad:

I would like to inform you on behalf of many students whom I have communicated with to say, We are concerned with the many days which the teachers have not been in school and the students have been restricted from attending school.

I am fully aware how the teachers feel but, what about the STUDENTS?

It is not fair to us the we might have to make up lost instructional days. Us students did not have a CHOICE on whether or not we could attend school this past week?

How is it our FAULT that we were not in school for four days?

Students should not have to make up school because the majority of teachers REFUSED to show up and do their JOB. I feel like the teachers have been SELFISH and have not taken into consideration how the students FEEL.

I know that I do not want or see why I have to make up any missed school time on behalf of the teachers and I do not plan to. I was ready to attend school but the teachers chose not to be present and you decided to not open up our school.

Thank you for taking the time to read my words, You should take into consideration about how we are affected and how we feel about making up school.

Thank You,

***** ****

P.S. I decided to write this because the students were shut out of school again on Monday February 21, 2011. I am in school to be taught not talked to regarding what teachers have done. I know what they and you have done, you have kept me and other students from attending school.

Any excuse will be valid just like theirs, RIGHT?

2010 Salary info for Kiel School District

from http://dpi.state.wi.us/lbstat/newasr.html website

To get salary, you need to add Prorated Salary to Prorated Fringe

Deborah Sixel	Sixel	Director of Instruction/Program Supervisor	$86,322.00	$36,536.00
Dawn Mueller	Mueller	Director of Special Education and/or Pupil Services	$47,565.15	$22,756.89
John Lewis	Lewis	District Administrator	$106,700.00	$9,700.00
Heidi Smith	Smith	Principal	$37,523.00	$17,115.50
Dario Talerico	Talerico	Principal	$95,507.00	$26,424.00
John Wolfenberg	Wolfenberg	Assistant Principal	$22,693.75	$9,361.75
David Slosser	Slosser	Principal	$90,668.00	$37,426.00
John Wolfenberg	Wolfenberg	Assistant Principal	$22,693.75	$9,361.75
Heidi Smith	Smith	Principal	$37,523.00	$17,115.50
Chad Ramminger	Ramminger	Principal	$81,434.00	$35,536.00

Letter to Rep Kestell and Sen Leibham

From the Wisconsin Constitution:

“Organization of legislature; quorum; compulsory attendance. SECTION 7.

Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide”

Order the missing representatives to return and have the courage to vote NO if they are so inclined. I would strongly consider demanding they return to the job or face an immediate RECALL. Wisconsin provides the ability to recall members. Another possible option is to demand they come back or be declared that they have “vacated their office”.

It is time for adults to make the hard decisions. Collective Bargaining is NOT a right guaranteed under the Wisconsin Constitution or the US Constitution.

Randy Kubetz
Wisconsin Citizens Involvement

Question for the City Hall/Fire Station

School Board meeting tonight, Feb 14th

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE KIEL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The mission of the Kiel Area School District is to provide an opportunity for each student to receive a comprehensive, personal, future-focused education in a safe, supportive environment for the purpose of achieving excellence in their life-long pursuits, through a partnership of family, school, and community.
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Board of Education		FROM: Dr. Louise Blankenheim
RE: February Regular Board of Education Meeting		DATE: February 11, 2011
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Middle School Large Group Room
Monday, February 14, 2011
7:00 p.m.
AGENDA WITH COMMENTS
I	CALL TO ORDER
II	DECLARATION OF POSTING***
III	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV	ANNOUNCEMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION**
	The Board will vote to convene into executive session to discuss the contract of the AD/AP and evaluate the District Administrator. This meeting is authorized pursuant to section 19.85(1)(c) of the Wisconsin Statutes. The Board may reconvene into open session to possibly take action on an item discussed in executive session.
V	WELCOME OF VISITORS AND SPECIAL GUESTS
VI	*APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA/CONSENT AGENDA WITH IDENTIFICATION OF ITEMS TO BE TAKEN OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR SEPARATE ACTION
VII	COMMUNITY CONCERNS, PUBLIC COMMENT, AND PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE (Participants may be limited in time to address the Board of Education and injurious comments about Individuals will not be allowed)(15 minutes for each topic)
VIII	RECOGNITIONS
	None at this time
IX	PRESENTATIONS
	None at this time
X	DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD COMMUNICATION
	The Board approved the replacement of the technology infrastructure at an estimated cost of $285,000 along with the use of fund equity if needed. The actual cost of the project was $291,219.65 which was $6,219 above the estimate. Instead of using the fund equity, this amount was covered by dollars available from unexpended funds. On Tuesday, February 22nd at 3:30 p.m., in the Middle School Large Group Room I will be presenting the ideas generated by each budget reduction committee. This meeting will be open to all staff and community members. Attached is the 2008/09 School Performance Report data. Dr. Blankenheim will review this information in more detail at the meeting.
XI	BREAK
XII	ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION BEFORE--IF NEEDED--ACTION
XIII	CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
	ACTION ITEMS
	A. Minutes
	B. Finance
	C. Professional Growth Requests
	D. Retirement of Staff
	Mike Seefeldt (4th grade teacher)
	NON ACTION ITEMS
	E. Resignations of Staff
	Kari Migacz (MS student council advisor) Gary Mueller (assistant track coach)
	F. Employment of Staff (All hiring procedures have been followed)
	Jamie Arenz (head girls track coach) Ryan Rabe (HS Music Long-term sub)
	G. Gifts to the District
	The following items were donated to the Middle School Phy. Ed. Department for Fuel Up to Play 60 Food Tasting Week: 15 lbs of string cheese from Foremost Farms Breads and bagels from Natural Ovens 8 lbs of cheese from Land-O-Lakes The services of the facilitator for the Community Engagement Meeting held on Monday, February 7, 2011, were donated to the District by LTC.
	H. Committee Reports and Meeting Dates
	Cynthia Schmahl enclosed a report on the January 24, 2011, Personnel Committee Meeting. Steve Walber enclosed a report on the January 6, 2011, Finance/Transportation Committee Meeting. Dan Karls enclosed a report on the January 10, 2011, B&G Committee Meeting.
	I. Substitutes
	Darci Bergelin (teacher) Andrea Cmejla (teacher) Deborah Holt (teacher) Rebecca Kempfert (teacher) Robert Krucky (teacher) Tavia Manz (teacher) Matthew Pfister (teacher)
XIV	BOARD REPORTS ON OUT OF DISTRICT MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
	Steve Walber will update the Board on the January 17, 2011, Legislative Breakfast Meeting he attended. Board members who attended the state school board convention on January 19, 2011, will share what they learned.
XV	DISCUSSION ITEMS
	Facilities Vision for the District
XVI	COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON AGENDA ITEMS POSTED FOR THIS MEETING (Participants may address the Board of Education about items posted on this agenda)
XVII	FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
XVIII	INTERVIEW CANDIDATES FOR SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
	Doug Davidson Russel Fritsch Patty Kubetz Victor Schueller
XIX	OATH OF OFFICE
	School Board Clerk, Scott Lieburn, will administer the Oath of Office to the newly appointed school board member.
XX	The Board will vote to convene into executive session to discuss the contract of the AD/AP and evaluate the District Administrator. This meeting is authorized pursuant to section 19.85(1)(c) of the Wisconsin Statutes.
XXI	The Board may reconvene into open session to possibly act upon an item discussed in executive session

Please vote in the primary on Tuesday. Feb 15th

Please vote for me in the primary on February 15th to the Kiel school board.

I support Scott Walker in his reform of the unions. It will help local municipalities balance their budgets. Asking people to pay for their own retirement and a percentage of their health care is not out of line and we all do that in the private sector. There needs to be a real change in local government to keep taxes from inflating.

by: Randy Kubetz

All these charts are in inflation adjusted dollars ... frightening how bad it has gotten