I have to ask...... Where is the info from the Teachers? I se Mr. Walsh's rosy picture of what is being offered but I do not believe that paints a accurate picture of what's really going on in the District. Does anyone actually think that so many people have left the District due to the rosy work enviorment and support they recieved? I don't think so. The Board and Administration needs to not only compensate the Teachers but also give them the support they need to do their jobs and Educate the children in the District. They have had a adversarial relationship with the Teachers and have provided NO leadership. It starts at the top people.......

I am not surprised the union has decided not to vote on such a contract. Why would any person agree to a contract that has no raises or compensation built in based on years of service. While I understand the financial obligations of the board, they don't realize what this will do to the quality of teaching within this school district. Why on earth would any teacher want to work in this district that clearly does not value teachers?

Does anyone else notice the number of administrators leaving this district? This surely is not a coincidence but rather an indication of a less than effective school board or a negative culture within the district. I am confident many teachers would leave if they could as well but frankly they are afraid of being unemployed. The school board needs to recognize they are not running the district nor should they be. They are a community liaison and not educators. Trust the administrators and teachers to do their jobs and make sure they are adequately compensated for doing so.

I agree with you John! Do we want the teachers to leave like all of the administrators are? They are the ones education our children!

Please support our teachers!

As a teacher (not in Oswego) and a parent of students in 308, I was so pleasantly surprised to see such positive comments in support of our teachers! Thank you for recognizing the importance of compensating our teachers and offering them the support they need to perform their jobs effectively. There are many amazing teachers in our district and I can assure you that the pay is not their motivation for staying. Please let your teachers know how much you appreciate them!

How can the teachers possibly be teaching less if they now have 5 classes that run for an entire semester verses 3 longer classes that they ran for a trimester? Plus they also have a lot more papers to grade and students to assist. In core subjects like math the teachers are always helping kids after school hours so the kids can make a passing grade. Many teachers spend long hours at home on their own time grading papers and preparing tests and lesson plans.
I don't get it. There were many discussions about whether to switch back to semesters. If it was going to cost so much, why was it done? The teachers obviously were not the ones making the final decisions. They weren't asking for raises. They just wanted a contract. And looks who's paying the price for it now- the teachers and possibly our students, if the teachers decide to strike.

The facts are that 85% of the District's expenses are in Salaries and Benefits, the District is operating at a $4 million deficit in the current year (partially because of the HS work schedule metioned in the article above and partially because the state decided to whithhold $4 million in additional funding in spite of a 66% income tax increase that was supposedly going to support education). My bet is the Board would love to pay the teachers more, but they simply can't afford to do so. This is not about judging the "value" of the teachers. Unfortunately the economy is such that tax payers can't afford more and in fact 75% of them voted to REDUCE their taxes by 20%. The District already operates much more efficiently then all of its peers . . . because it HAS to. There is is less business and industry to support the District then in others and the District is growing in student population while the tax base (home values) continues to shrink.

I find it laughable that the board continues to stress an "8 hour work day". This statement alone shows that the board does not understand the daily responsibilities of a teacher and the workload that is brought home. In District 202, District 203, Geneva, Yorkville, and Aurora, teachers are compensated for teaching a 6th period class by 20% (this is also true for the majority of the state of Illinois). HOWEVER, the school board believes it is okay for teachers in Oswego to teach 6 periods without compensation. They will only compensate teachers 10% for teaching a 7th period class. Oswego is losing administrators and will soon start losing teachers....

The transition to the Flex-8 schedule has been difficult for students and teachers this year. The students have more homework and the teachers have significantly more students, tests and papers to grade. They need our support to make it through the transition! They need our support right now. We cant take back earlier decisions just because we dont like them now. The cost was known when the new schedule was agreed upon. Stick to what you agreed to!

What's fair isn't always what's equal. Every neighboring high school teaches 5 graded periods in high school. Do your homework! While junior high teachers may teach 6 period, they are often blocked. Can you imagine a high school English teacher who has 32 students in a class, grading 192 research papers, and then supervising a guided study? Qualified teachers will run from Oswego. The board knew the Flex-8 schedule would cost more money and they did it anyway.

The biggest issue I see with this is that the school board had all summer work with the union and develop an acceptable contract. The school board took the teachers for granted by putting this off until the school year started. The last thing teachers want to do is strike, they understand how it hurts the students. But, if the school board is going to leave the teachers with no other choice then the school board is the one to blame. This school board in 308 has been going down hill fast. I can probably count on one hand the number of members who actually know what they are talking about. Whose bright idea was it to leave decisions on education matters up to individuals who have no background in the education world and have no idea what actually takes place in a teacher's work schedule after the bells ring.

there was a big push for the "block" system in the 90's. There are pro's and cons to each type, the block, and the "flex 8". some say flex 8 is better since kids are exposed to every subject all throughout the year and the retention of material is better. Plus, some say it's easier to stay focused for a shorter period, than a long one. Either way, it is what it is, now, and I just hope an agreement is reached that is fair to all.

These are the same teachers whose students are not meeting the various educational standards by a huge amount; and they want a raise? Where else can you be a loser in your job and demand more money?

Where else can the employees force the employer to run their business in the way in which the employees desire?

"The expired contract included a 40-hour work week for all teachers, with 27 hours devoted to student contact time . . ." So the teachers are in the classroom only 68% of the week??? And only 9 months of the year? (They receive personal vacation time, in addition to the school vacation calendar.) Then they're already overpaid.

I appreciate how hard the teachers work and how much work they take home every night, but the sad fact is there are lots of professions doing that right now. The high school day is what?- 7:30 to 2:30 - by my math that is seven hours - add in a lunch, planning period, etc. I know they didn't go into teaching to get rich, but I have a college education and am working for way less than their average salary without an hour lunch, planning period, a two week winter break, week spring break, three months off in the summer and great insurance benefits - I don't mean to sound bitter, but sign me up.

I've seen it written here once before, and this pretty much sums it up.

TEACHER MAFIA. ADMINISTRATION RINGLEADERS

Point blank. These are public servants for cripes sake. Get a grip Illinois.

Maybe "WE" should NOT decide to renew their contracts. That's how it should be. Everyone is replaceable, especially teachers.

Discusting Greed is all this is.

Also.....I want to see a real figure as to what they are paid "Hourly" inclusive of ALL benefits and perks. Every man, woman and child would be appaulled. They are truly full of themselves.

@ Louie's Bro
There are plenty of people who are unemployed that would proudly take any of those positions you mentioned for a fair salary. You're a brainiac. Good Idea!!!

The Oswego School Board never ceases to amaze me! I am absolutely floored by how incompetent and unappreciative they seem to be of the teachers in this district. These are the people that are shaping the future of not only this country, but also the surrounding communities. These hard-working and dedicated teachers do a job that many people take for granted. If it was an easy job, then we would all do it. Many of these teachers work second and possibly third jobs to take care of themselves, and their families. It is also true that many of them work summer jobs, and take endless hours of continuing education classes each year.
So it is safe to say, that only should they be awarded the tentative contract that was placed by previous board members, they should also be applauded.

Please correct if I am wrong, but I do believe they held 5, that is right, 5 meetings this past year without properly recording the information. And if I am also correct, I believe there really was not any formal discipline. And please do not even get me started on the new superintendent!

To offer have a tentative contract stating that, and then to renig on that offer something so low is a disgrace! If there is a strike, I will stand proudly with my placard while chanting all the days of the strike to show my appreciation. What will you do fellow parents, and fellow Oswegoians?

I have mixed feelings I relation to some of these comments...

1. Education begins at home. Teachers work to educate children but without support at home, it makes it tough.

2. Does the community remember that they voted this board in? Seems a little silly to vote for someone you don't believe will do right by your children.

3. Why is this mainly focused on the high school? This is a COMMUNITY SD therefore issues addressed should be for everyone. There are a number of issues surrounding jr. high and elementary that rarely even get brought to the negotiations process because "the high school takes presidence.." Split into an elementary district and a high school district if you're not you to be equitable.

4. Teachers also need to be realistic. Economy is bad and morons are running the state of Illinois.

5. @Mike- where else can you be a loser at your job and demand a raise? Try every government job. What person who has a contract works for four months without one? Anyone can become a teacher. @Gettin By- you do sound bitter. Pretty sure every four year college has an education program.

I truly hope this is addressed soon. It's sad for this community to be so divided and the kids are the ones who lose out.

If they don't like working without a contract then get a job elsewhere. It's called the free enterprise system. But bad teachers aren't in demand and that's why they need the union to protect them, or esle they wouldn't survive in the 'real' employment world on their own. If they could, then they'd be leaving the District to get employment elsewhere.

I've asked before and never seen a good answer. But what value can you place on tenure? It's like a lifetime contract for a job and is worth an amount easily into the 6 figures. If you don't think so then try self employment where you have to prove your worth every single day in order to make a living. Same with any gov't job where it's pretty much assumed that it's yours forever.

The good teachers are leaving Mike. I do agree with your comment on tenure, good teachers don't need it. However, without tenure GOOD teachers may be easily let go because they are simply too expensive. School's are not for profit and therefore should act a such.

And yes, I should probably read before posting. I have so many mistakes.

Sounds like the BOE put forth a good faith effort in these trying economic times. Granted what is being said by the Board has to be taken with a grain of salt because it is their point of view. And with nothing from the Union except, we're not going to vote on it yet, doesn't really mean anything.

I just hope the teacher's continue to teach at the levels they have been. Most (if not all) of the teacher's my children have had over the past 6 years have been excellent...as have the building Admins.

I rather doubt teachers will be packing up and leaving because so few districts are hiring. This is especially true if you are talking about an experienced teacher and/or one with a graduate degree. Why? They are too expensive to hire in most districts. There are so many unemployed teachers, new college grads with certificates who can't get jobs, etc., that it is unreal. That said, we have had excellent teachers and we appreciate how difficult their jobs are. Having spent quite a bit of time in the classrooms and schools here, I am bemused by those who seem so dismissive of the effort and professionaism that I have seen and experienced. We have some great teachers in this district. We probably have some terrible ones, too. Same goes for servers in restaurants, doctors, repair people, etc.

I hope that they are able to reach an agreement that is fair to the teacher and workable for the rest of the stakeholders Good luck to all!

@ Rachel B – Before we can start basing any critique on our schools and educators we need to first make sure that education starts at home and cooperation is met between the parents and the teachers and also that the “Standardized Testing” is equally fair in content and participation. If parents are not involved in a positive manner in their child’s education we might as well throw the towel. Education starts at home but also needs to follow through at home through good examples and holding accountability. Speaking of accountability; standardized testing only works if the exams are taken sincerely and thoroughly. When a percentage of students do not care a less about their scores and simply “ABCDABCDABCD” their scores they are skewing the results and only hurting the program.

In surveying the public we create questions that are similar and easy to answer to ensure that the scores result in the same answer. When they do not we throw that sample or test out. Why can’t we get two scores? A cumulative and a true score sample.

@ It's True....... I would add to your comment about involvement that parents can't simple walk their child to the bus stop or drop them off and then get them in the afternoon assuming that everything is fine and dandy. You have to be involved. You pay for it.

Why is it okay to pay $25,000.00 above what Dr. Odonnell made but we can't give the teachers a raise. These are the same people that are in the classrooms morning, noon and night educating our children.
For the people who don't like what's going on, move. Yah you're going to loose your butt on your home but at least your kids won't be in a sub-standard school system. I can't believe these teachers, they come in early to meet with students who are falling behind, they stay late to do the same and then the nerve of them to want to head-up an after school sport or club, go figure. I say chain them to their desks, give them 2 bathroom breaks during passing periods only and if they can keep the little monsters in their seats we'll see what we can pay them. Good grief be happy you have a job, and you thought you were going into this field to make a difference in a child's life. Honestly, what were all of you thinking.

This is what's wrong with this country. We can line the pockets of the corporations with bonus after bonus but the people who matter the most are the ones we throw in the crapper. No wonder our kids are so screwed up!

I think considering the economy, and the fact that private sector workers have had their incomes decrease by 4.8% during the recession, this offer is very generous. We have been in a four year recession with almost a guaranteed 4 more years and the question isn't really what teachers "deserve". It's really about who's paying the increase and can they afford it. We can't keep heaping more burden on the property tax payer as we are among the highest in the nation already. Of course those of you who think the pay for teachers is currently insufficient and you have the extra money for tax increases, they will accept your donations at the school and can pass this on to the teachers. The offer seems more than fair.

So Walt you are being quite sarcastic but you are avoiding answering the question. How high shall we raise property taxes or what shall we cut. The teamsters at Hostess agreed to an 8% REDUCTION in pay and to pay 20% of their health costs to stay employed at a bankrupt company. The bakers said no so 18000 are now unemployed, heading for food stamps and maybe foreclosure. So what would happen if teachers were asked to do something like that? I bet they would strike. Even though the system is 4million in the hole and the state and country are broke. But as long as we keep the illusion that they are somehow superhuman how much shall we increase our property tax to cover their raise. Equal pay for equal work is fine BUT as a small small businessman I am sorry if you worked for me you would not have the additional burden of financial risk, worries about staying in business, growing the business, etc so yeah I would pay me more than you. This isnt the soviet union or France just yet.

@Greg.... Well said.

They keep telling us they are here "for the kids" well if so then they should understand that families of many of those kids are suffering financially. Shared sacrifice seems to be the new buzz phrase so why any raise this year at all.

Realize that these numbers you read are minimums. Most teachers, who are here for the kids JimmyJ, go well beyond those numbers. Not to mention that teaching all day burns you out; you feel beyond tired after just teaching, then there's more to do! Most of you have played with a child for a while. That's one child. Multiply it and do it all day. Oh yes, and no playing, teach! This district already runs on next to nothing in terms of funds. What you won't read about are the 2 secretaries the BOE approved at 54K each (w/o a college degree) for district office. How about the fact we pay for Wendt's house, car, 100% of benefits and give him an expense account? Don't forget he's still collecting a ton from Iowa. The average 308 teacher salary is about 56K where the state average is about 64K. Yet, 308 is above the state average for ACT scores. I've read how teachers are replaceable. True, they can be replaced, but I don't know how comfortable I'd feel having less qualified workers build my educational house. You don't think those teachers will have the same concerns as well in regards to all this? Last, I think it's comical that the BOE is complaining about the "we didn't approve" staff and are blaming it on an admin(who have since left). Dear BOE, you approve every staff hire. Why don't you blame it on the pencil for writing the wrong thing? Accountability.

Rex...let me start by paraphrasing the old "walk a mile in your shoes" saying by stating that I have walked maybe a tenth of a mile in a teachers shoes when I helped run an after school club at Boulder Hill for three years. I saw a lot of dedication from teachers. We also saw many teachers out the door at 330 / 345 for whatever reason, they have kids to get to places too, appointments to keep so they are not necessarily doing a cut and run at the end of the day. That said, I don't believe a teacher needs to be plated in gold and set on a pedestal. Yes working with kids is hard, I'm an amateur at it. But when I volunteer to do it I know there are kids involved and that it will be hard, notice I said volunteer I don't get paid for what I do. A teacher likewise goes into the job knowing there will be kids and not all will be geniuses and not all will be perfect angels. Should they be paid a fair wage, of course. So what is a fair wage and how can the tax base support it? How much are you willing to sacrifice to cover a tax increase to pay someones salary? Yes Wendt is collecting a pension from Iowa on top of is salary. Did you know O'Donnell was collecting a pension from Missouri when he was here making 6 figures? Did you know Doug Galois the construction manager was collecting a pension from 204 when he was getting his 6 figure salary here? THIS BOE was NOT involved in those, the fine upstanding members of previous BOE's made those decisions.

These after school committments aren't as extensive as some would want you to believe. I too have volunteered at one of the high schools and the building is very much empty once the bell rings. Sure, there are a few teachers staying late; but the vast majority are out the door. Furthermore, a lot of clubs only last an hour or so, so the teachers are still leaving by 3:30 or 4pm.

The teachers live in the District so their drive home is very short. Compare that to someone in the private sector who is more likely to work elsewhere in the suburban area and gets off work at 5pm and doesn't get home until 6pm.

There's no comparison between teachers who can opt to depart at 2:30 versus a private sector employee who typically works to 5, or later.

Bottom line is that the results that these teachers are getting is awful based upon the state report card. They don't deserve a raise and it's no lose to have them go elsewhere. Oswego is also a very nice area to live in versus some of the higher paying districts to the east that generally have higher crime rates and more expensive housing. The District should not have to compete with those other districts just based upon salary alone.

I meant "loss". I sure wish this board would allow for editing of comments; or at least a preview function.

@Lil,
I am afraid you are misinformed. There was no tentative contract signed that this "new" board (which has been together for a year and a half, while contract negotiations have been going on for less than a year)took away. There were only tentative agreements made between the union and the former school admin (Dr. O'Donnell and Mr. Colvin) right before they left, which were never brought to the board, and these are the agreements that the board is honoring. You may want to listen to the tape from the last board meeting where the attorney read off the proposed agreement before you make inaccurate statements.

I also know of no admin, or teachers, that have left since the school year has started. However, I do I believe I read something about how Mr. Colvin has already resigned from his new position....hmmm, interesting.

I certainly hope you have picked up a packet to run for school board since you seem to have so much animosity for the current board.

@Lil....I'm trying to think of a board president in recent times that has had a background in education. Lynn Cullick did not ( unless PTA counts), Andy Young did not, Dave Behrens does not, Joe Guinnane did not and that's going back about 12 years. In fact most boards have been made up of parents and every now and then a business person. You can only vote from the list of those willing to run. Boards oversee the operation via the superintendent. Past boards have taken the superintendent at his word, I guess considering that they really didn't know a whole lot about the ins and outs of running a multi million dollar operation. This board seems to be more hands on which some call micromanaging, apparently because past boards never did. It was the actions of those past boards that have brought us to where we are today.

Olivia you need to get an education and move out of Oswego. How dare you say "our teachers" aren't providing a good education. All teachers in 308 want what is best for kids. YOU are an uneducated fool! You judge Todd Colvin? You must be perfect! I'd love to know what YOU do for a living? Oh yes, judge people! Nasty = Nasty. Your children should be proud!

@TS...Todd Colvin...lets see when he was first hired, his pay was based on his word to the Admin that he would attain a PhD within 5 years....he's still not called Dr. Colvin. If memory serves he left his wife to carry on with his secretary at Thompson ( now Mrs Colvin) AND when OEHS opened he was the mastermind as principal of OHS to dress himself and the entire staff present at that falls freshman orientation in orange and blue T-shirts that said " OHS "THE" Oswego High School and his reward was to be promoted to Assistant Superintendent. After Joel Murphy was terminated and after Behlow left he gain the title ASSOCIATE superintendent. He is a JERK with a capitol J and an idiot with a capitol I and it's no surprise becuse I've had that conversation with him. if you like him....maybe you should get the education about him and move off to wherever he is if you like him so much.

TS are you a teacher in the district....if so and you are a fan of Colvin you must have been one of the regulars who played basketball with him in the morning. My non basketball teacher friends tell me that was the best way to get something you wanted done. Play ball with Colvin....boy that sure sounds bad...

I don't know him, I have a problem with people bashing others. Why does it matter what he's doing now? He's long gone from Oswego, so what's the point?? Lets get back to "our teachers" aren't providing a good education? Bs!! I'll stop there!

It may be true that our HS ACTs just BARELY beat the state average, but if you look at our 14 comparable Large Unit Districts consisting of Aurora East, Aurora West, Batavia, CUSD 200, Dekalb, Elmhurst, Geneva, Indian Prairie, Naperville, Plainfield, St. Charles, Sycamore, and Yorkville . . . Oswego ranks 9/14 in Reading, tied for 10/14 in Math, 10/14 in Science and 11/14 in English . . . and if you consider Aurora East and Aurora West take the 13th and 14th spots across all subjects . . . that's a pretty sad showing for 308, in spite of having the 2nd highest tax rate. Yes, let's give the HS teachers more time away from students and big raises, I'm sure that will help our students' performance.

I'm sure our Districts performance is tied to students just filling in "ABCDABCDABCD" and other Districts don't have any kids that do that. Or maybe our kids are just not as intelligent as others. Or maybe it's our parents fault compared to other Districts, we just aren't involved. Someone mentioned accountability . . . where's accountability for this PUTRID performance at the HS level. No the Board is not made up of a group of educators, but it doesn't take an educator to determine we are getting terrible performance out of our HS teachers. And is it any wondered the non-educated Board voted to change the HS schedule? CLEARLY the one that was in place was NOT working.

Good morning; I have read the comments shared and, like many of these posts, the lines that differentiate the topic are clear. Teachers are good/Teachers are bad. The Board is not leading this district, they are dictating their will and this contract reflects this. They are incompetent and are clearly, negatively impacting our schools.
The 600 lb Gorilla in the room is not being addressed, the fact that this board has not enacted in putting an Education Fund Referendum on the ballot. Their inability to make this decision, because it might fail, shows their inability to lead. We are a group of communities that are devoted to their children's education, but unwilling to pay for this education. Look at Private School Tuition, $4,000-$10,000 per student, per year! No matter how you look at it, until our state and federal funding policies change, homeowners will front the bill! If we do not, this argument will continue.

Paul; Pension reform is rolled into my comments regarding educational funding reform. I thought it was a joke that Govenor Quinn rolled out children and a cartoon to emphasize the impact the pension problem is causing. All I am saying is that we, as homeowners, parents and community members need to realize we cannot rely on the state, we need to take responsibility. One thing, win or lose, a referendum vote at the same time as board elections will draw more than 2500 voters!

sorry Paul, I disagree. I don't believe pension reform is the 600-pound gorilla. I think the 600 pound gorilla is the gorilla of bad decisions, the one that place a 170k/yr superintendent into a 250K/yr position from one state to another with guaranteed contributions beyond that, and expect the magic money to keep on coming. To quote Mr. Boehner, "guys, we're broke". Pensions are things people paid into just like we paid into 401K's and such. Good reform would be a cross-state agreement that any retired admin wanting to work as an admin in Illinois would have their money contributed in their retirement fund "of their state of origin". If you're from Indiana, get your equivalent of TRS there, then come here, your Indiana TRS gets put on hold [you're active] and the retirement fund goes to *that* fund, not a separate one from Illinois where you can be a double-millionaire.

The other thing I don't hear in these conversations [maybe a smaller elephant instead of a gorilla] is that Mr. Hultgren, Mr. Kirk and Mr. Durbin are not trying to get the monies that USED to pour in from the Federal Government to trickle back to the states, which would pull us out of this hole.

I have to agree with you Paul on this - I doube a tax increase referendum would go through this round, especially when a referendum passed asking taxing bodies to *cut* 20 percent of their "take".

A good move, especially in PR would be to undergo a voluntary across the board [management and teaching] 2 year wage freeze. But I think we both know it would never happen.

Mr. Graff, I'm sure you know from your "productive" years as a Finance Committee member that current tax cap laws are such that in a decreasing EAV scenario, the "cap" essentially acts as a "floor" and no new referendum is required at this time to increase the operating tax rate. It just so happens that the Board is trying to limit tax increases knowing the tax payers can't afford it.

Mr. Lark, elementary performance is better than Jr. High, and Jr. High is better than HS. What's ironic about that is contact time with their students is directly correlated to performance. Elementary is told "it's not the same" ... and it's not. Elementary doesn't teach the same subject and issue the same test to different sections all day, elementary doesn't have groups of honors students and non-honors students, they actually are required to teach different subjects and differentiate their teaching to their students abilities, and ALL at the same time.  Separate contracts aren't necessary, what we need is a union that represents ALL the levels instead of representatives made up of all but one HS person and a union that doesn't feel "entitled" to an automatic 3% PLUS raise every year (aka step).

All of our teachers are extremely valuable, some simply need more improvement than others. This is simply a matter of what this District can afford. You wonder why the contract wasn't put to a vote? Look at the makeup of the negotiating team. They're afraid it just might pass.

What makes the teachers profession so utterly up on a high pedestal. Is it their union? If a teacher is spending their own money on students not providing their school supplies then shame on the teachers for allowing parents to be so irresponsible. Shame on the teacher. Mr. Graff during your time on the board, the special ed program was a total and complete joke. I actually have documentation on how poor the kids history, testing and appeasing that went on. I feel you are always a bitter angry person. Money does not solve everything.
I appreciate anyone that is doing their job and respecting their employer. From our local business person employing our youth and developing job skills to our teachers.
I would like parents to be parents. I do agree with that. It would help everyone.
401k's for retirement with everyone including the village to teachers to anyone. Be responsible for your own self and not go banging on doors for entitlements. jimmyJ I wish I sent my youngest to private school. Oswego schools are nothing to tout about. They are like everyone else.
On Fox and Friends this morning they had a poverty school improving their students by offering chess in the cafeteria. Many students found it helpful. Simple solutions. Not millions of dollars. Some will help themselves and some won't. That is the real world.
Happy Thanksgiving, may we all see our blessings

Jerri I'm not sure why some people put teachers up on a high horse. Yes they can have a tough job, but sometimes it's not so tough. Depends on the group of students and on the particular system in place for that year, it seems to change often in 308. Their unions are real gems too , one of the few actually able to get what they want by coercion. If both parents work, they know that you can't compensate very long, a couple of weeks at most before your boss starts getting ticked, they know that when they strike, it's a tactic. I'm not a fan of John Graff but at least he stood up and ran for election. We started down the million dollar road when the developers started touting District 308 schools as a means to sell more houses. We can revisit the whole transition fee argument, the developers should have paid more, but then they say they won't build. So who wanted the growth? Probably the Village. It could have been done differently for sure BUT no one seemed to care, the good times were rolling, no one complained about the BOE except a small handful. Now that times are bad the lynch mobs are out for this BOE who is only reaping what others before them seeded. If WE had been as concerned as a community THEN we may not be in the spot we are in NOW. Want to blame someone, look in the mirror.

yes jimmyj I remember. Nobody paused and stopped to think. I was so glad to hear today a union member actually stating the truth that the unions are political now and simply ask members for their dues through an invoice if they are behind. There is not representation anymore for mutual job development. This current board has their hands full I agree. So does the village and I have more hope in the county board due to changes and messages sent. Ignorance to the truth or blindness to all the facts is our results.

I want to give you an IEP story; this is about accommodations for special ed. If a student on IEP has reading needs and their homework has reading in their directions in a math assignment then check that box that the school satisfied their obligation to reading. Yes that is correct and I can not explain it any simpler. This comes from the county due to state standards. This is just 1 basis that confirms that this district is no different than any other. Another story I have but cannot post. If I was anybody sitting on the other side of the table with this affecting their student I could never avoid explaining all this. If it falls on parents that do not want to listen so be it, but there are a lot of parents that do listen. This is just a symptom. I wish I did private schools. Oswego is as good as others. There are good and bad teachers everywhere. There are good and bad employees everywhere. I enjoy people that come to their jobs with respect and not entitlements. I am not a union fan at all. Their purpose use to be for safety in the coal mines. Now look what they evolved to. During the high rolling times people did not save and live below their means.
I know most people have 401k or nothing, I have lost respect for that 51% and I think it is due to get worse. I am not sure if I understand what Quinn won with that constitution thing on ballot. I know it had to do with pensions. It’s like a magic show.

Well JimmyJ you gave me a new thought that maybe I am glad they were half asleep at the wheel.

JimmyJ leaving the common school system she now has what she needs. I had to figure it all out on my own. Oswego was not useful for information. I was not ever looking for anything else from Oswego except information from their training and education. (staff) Another something to be thankful for. I am glad we have met success for our students.

JimmyJ: You're mostly right about the administrator's pay freeze and benefit adjustment. Mostly as in, except for getting the facts wrong.

Ask any administrator who was around at the time, they were told prior to that Board Meeting that they were volunteering that pay freeze. They were all sat down in a room at Traughber after school one day and told they would be volunteering to have their pay frozen and they hopefully in response the Board would hold off on taking the 10% for a year, but that to expect that would be coming soon as well.

Good evening; To all the parents who believe their children's educational experience is below standards, I have a few questions for you. If their educational experience is so bad, what are you doing about it? Do you have open conversations with the teacher and their administrator? Do you work with your child to support the challenged area? Are you active in your school community through Parent Groups, volunteer at the school or in the Home and School? Or so you spend ypur te being critical and venting on this web-site. i was taught at a very early age that, if I was having trouble I would ask for help and I always received it. Keep in mind the following, our teachers are at the bottom in terms of earnings comparables. They are working without a contract and have been doing so since the beginning of the school year. They are dedicated professionals that spend nights and weekends honing their skills and craft. Don't categorize the whole for the weakness of a few. Last week was National Education Week and what did we do to celebrate that, offered them a sub-standard contract. Way to go Board of Education!

Seriously . . . a substandard contract? Anyone realize other Districts have had teacher pay freezes and this District never has. And this District is NOT at the bottom of teacher salaries . . . althought they are with Adimistrator salaries.

Newsflash . . . there is a $4 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT AND THIS DISTRICT HAS THE HIGHEST TAX RATE AMONGST 14 OF ITS PEERS

Anyone care to explain how that deficit goes away by increasing salaries?

Mr. Graff, it couldn't be that you are considering running again and looking to gain favor with the teachers, could it? Sorry to ruin your perfectly good argument with facts . . .

And we are 11/14 in ACT scores, so the solution is to give teachers more time out of the classroom? Oh yea, I keep forgetting . . . it's the parents fault.

Dear Concerned Parent; thank you for making my point. All anger and no answers! The principle reason our tax rates are high is because of the lack of a commercial tax base, no industry, no dollars. Also, the ACT argument is not a relevant argument die to the fact that, in the state of Illinois requires ALL students to take the ACT, not only college bound students. Our graduation rate is in the Nineties! I have devoted eight years of my life to this district it's students, administrators parents and taxpayers alike. It has been an honor and privilege to have served this district. Just because I am not seeking office, doesn't mean I cannot present a thoughtful logical opinion. Finally, yes, the teachers have my full support, spend a day in a classroom and you will agree with me that they deserve more than we have offered.

One clarification to my recent post. The ACT is a relevant and important benchmark for our graduating seniors who are attending college. The state requires all students college bound or not to take this test. Last year, our Senior Class at OHS, based on their ACT scores, grades, community service et all earned over $3 million dollars in scholarships. This is our benchmark, graduation rate, scholarships awarded and producing positive character rich young adults. Our teachers are integral to that success. Celebrate education do not vilify it!

@John....yep your posts sums up a lot more then just your point. I sums up the arrogance of a large segment of this community, The ACT score IS RELEVANT AND IT IS SIGNIFICANT. You say it is required of ALL students not just the college bound. So what you are inferring is that the non college bound students are less intelligent then their college bound counterparts and are dragging down the scores. Man if we could just get rid of the dummies then we would be in great shape. HOW DARE YOU! If the ACT scores are down and EVERYONE takes it then the question really is WHY ARE THE NON COLLEGE BOUND DOING SO POORLY. Yeah lets measure the success on the achievement of a handful and lets turn our backs on those who do not achieve. That attitude is a very good reason why you were VOTED OUT and why you should STAY OUT. My recommendation is that you find the same sewer Colvin found and join him.

Jane, what is your point? That Oswego has more students that don't take standardized test well than other Districts? It actually IS a big deal that our students don't do as well as other Districts. It limits their college options and opportunity for academic scholarships.

Mr Graff, you brag about the 3 million earned in scholarships . . . how much of that was athleteic versus academic? And how much more could have been earned if we actually had more students doing well on the ACT.

JimmJ, I guess what Mr. Graff considers to be good government is if we can't afford it, do it anyway and we'll just tax more.

I will have to concede that Mr. Graff actually finally made I one valid point . . . that is, this District has a major homes-to-business imbalance. But that imbalance needs to somehow be addressed by the Village thru their take over of the joint public/private Oswego Economic Development Corporation.

But we can't ignore the financial facts and just keep taxing people more and more when we arlready do that to a greater extent than any other surrounding Large Unit School District.

@ Concerned.....the thing is, the lid is finally coming off. I remember maybe two years ago when Dr. Johnson proclaimed everything was fantastic, then someone did some digging and found that OEHS in particular and OHS too were not doing quite as well as she painted. The attitude seems to be if you have a student who is AP or does well, then the system is great, what the hell are you talking about, you are crazy, the teachers are invincible and let the admin spend every last penny they can get their hands on. If you have a student who struggles you find that not everyone in the district is as caring as they would have you believe.

It's amusing that the people who seem to be the most up in arms about everything have left comments that would require quite a bit of any teacher's red ink to correct. I think that explains quite a bit, honestly.

So shut the whole thing down. Let's have a vote on whether or not people want to pay any property taxes for their schools. When the majority says they don't just shut down the public schools and everyone fend for yourself. That will solve the problem, won't it.

Dave...that's the best idea I have heard yet. Lets have a voucher system.

Dave it might be called vouchers. I would vote 6 months ahead of time because I would be so excited. The easiest thing to do is to teach to the AP students. I actually am not complaining about the district. I truly want to make note that this school district is simply no different than any other district. I do not say anything special about it. My grandmother was correct on all counts...if you do not have the money don't do it. If it is not the full truth do not say it. This district is a place I also want to move from. I will do that also. In the special ed area this district is receiving an incomplete grade from I due to its dishonesty. It should be apparent that it is ran by people therefor realize they are serving people. Tenure is an awful benefit that encourages mediocrity for many. Vouchers will encourage better work performance and some changes in attitudes. I said before there are good and bad teachers, and good and bad employees all over. Our businesses that give our youth employment are just as important as a teacher. Vouchers.......

Wow vouchers are being thought of at the same time. Maybe a movement !!!ha ha

Thank you Mr. Graff for your continued support of teachers and your service to the district. I have taught in this district for 8 years but do not live in the district.
My children go to private schools and I would like to share a few comments:
1) The class of 2012 (125 students) at my son's high school earned over 10 million dollars in academic scholarships. The average ACT score was 26 this year. Their teachers earn about 10-20% less than I do (80% have MS or PhD) and they do not have new buildings or the newest computers,but great teachers.
2)In order to maintain rigor, set high expectations for student learning and keep the scholarship money coming -the administration keeps their classroom sizes under 24, students do anywhere from 3-4 hours of HW per night and athletes must go to study sessions after school if their grades are below a D. Keep in mind that in the private HS a D is below a 75%. Yes, I pay tuition but it was worth every dime when my eldest son got a full 4 year scholarship to college last year. No he is not brilliant (ACT=28,GPA=3.75) but he works hard and truly earns his grades.
3) We provide transportation to/from school,brown bag lunch and pay extra for music and sports programs. Parents are financially responsible for extras. D308 could do the same + save MILLIONS. I see buses 1/2 empty, district employees washing the PE towels, and F & R lunches in the garbage. Too much waste! Free education yes...free extras NO.
Education yes...extras no.

Well I'm a college drop out, my AGI is $40K and I send the last of my 3 to private school. I'm certainly not rolling in cash. Why do I choose to do it? Because after 6 years in glorious D308 the center for smoke and mirrors I finally had enough. I have it a chance through the end of HS with the other two and once they had to take remedial classes to PASS the Waubonsee entrance exam I decided that I had not found but ONE teacher who gave a rats ass in this district.

Private school is the way I went with my children. Aurora Central Catholic has been great at education and that missing thing respect! Both my Children have been in top 20 in class and hold 3.90 and 4.10 GPA how many at public school do this? I'm a product of OHS and frankly I can't see why the system is failing with all the cash they have. Yes it cost $$$ for private and it is a tough choice on cash and family but I have two great top kids and both are far, far ahead of what I have seen from public schools of late. I think the teachers teach but with all the noise of extra's they forget the basics (R's) are the focus. Get back to basics people and save the cash for a rainy day - oh wait it's raining and the cash is gone!

Thank you private education parents...The comparison is stark when it comes to the students and their potential.....I hope Jimmy a path opens for your family. My hind sight is private or vouchers...unless your student is a straight a

@TS...back in the day there were more than 25 kids in a class and no aides. So now 25 is the benchmark and some want fewer and there are aides unless they got rid of those. Seems to be it should be easier not the misery we are supposed to think it is. No weapons in the schools either that we know of except the gun in the GOALclassroom a couple months back. It can always be worse.