Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

PLEASE NOTE: Portions (most) of this story are/is political satire and opinion, written with my tounge firmly implanted in my cheek!

It only took five years for your Franklin School Board to bounce back from its 2007, $78 million voter-rejected referendum for the Board to claim a partial victory for the district in last night’s referenda (or is it referndum?) vote.    THANK YOU, THANK YOU Franklin School Board!   You either saved taxpayers $28 million by waiting five years, or the the $78 million you said you  “needed” then. was a "cock & bull story.”

MORE GOOD NEWS

Click to read more ...

$50 Million FPS Referendum to Appear on November 6 Ballot

Here we go again.  Hmmm... What part of the word "NO" are the "usual suspects" (Traylor, Larson, Klein and superintendent Patz) having trouble understanding?

On November 6, voters residing in the Franklin Public Schools District will have a chance to have their voices heard, putting a $50 million facilities-related referendum to the taxpayer's test.  The referendum will appear on the presidential election ballot on November 6.

The three referendum questions are related to three Franklin Public School (FPS) facilities projects and each question will be voted on separately.  Here is the so-called Referendum Fact Sheet for the three questions which appears on the District’s website, including each project’s estimated cost impact on taxpayers.  Please take the time to become a well-informed voter by reading this information before voting on November 6 and contact any one of the Franklin School Board members with questions you may have pertaining to any of these projects.  Voters should also consider that with expanded facilities comes expanded maintenance costs, which are not included in FPS’ fact sheet.

If you are interested in knowing which school board members voted in favor of this $50 million referendum, click here and then proceed to the Meetings tab and then to the minutes of the July 11, 2012 School Board Meeting.

EDITORIAL: Franklin School Board Deserves a "F" From Taxpayers and Students

Please watch the following reminder...

A look at our follow-up file revealed that we are approaching one year since the Franklin School Board initially discussed its employee Health Insurance bidding process, another tax saving tool provided to local governments through Act 10 by Governor Scott Walker and Conservatives in the Wisconsin State Legislature.   The topic appeared on the school board’s July 20, 2012 agenda (See Agenda item 9.a.) .  FIJ attended this meeting and prior to this meeting published this story on July 19, 2012.  Here is a summary of the provision of Act 10.

The Baraboo school board saved an estimated $660,000 per year by dumping WEA Trust insurance and purchasing its employee health insurance from Dean Health Plan.

The Baraboo school board  is now free to put this $660,000 savings into the classroom, putting its students first, which most school districts claim is their priority: “It’s for the students…”

Enough of the rhetoric.  Quit the stalling.   It’s time to walk-the-talk and show Franklin parents, taxpayers and students you are serious about saving taxpayer dollars and actually willing to put Franklin kids first.  NOT WEAC or WEAC TRUST.

Call or email School Board president Janet Evans or other school board members to express your views on this issue and ask the Board to please place the employee Health Insurancetopic on the Board’s next meeting agenda.

It is time to take a stand against this garbage from outsiders brought in by the unions and demand that our elected representatives on the Franklin School Board do their job.

RELATED STORIES

• Franklin School Board to Discuss, Insurance Bidding Process (FIJ)
• Union fights district plan to save $1 million on insurance (EAGNews.org)
• Pro-reform Wisconsin teacher stands her ground, despite union harassment (EAGnews.org)

Franklin School Board Reorganizes

School Board President Janet EvansIf it were not for independent Franklin blogger Bryan Maersch of “Wag The Dog” and Kevin Fischer of “This Just In” on FranklinNOW, Franklin voters waiting for the “paper of record” for the Franklin School District and the City of Franklin—to report on the school board’s reorganization following recent elections would still be waiting. In fact, Franklin voters would not know that during the school board meeting on Wednesday, April 11, Franklin School Board members voted out Board president Debbie Larson and vice president Jeff Traylor, replacing them with Janet Evans and Tim Nielson, respectively.

A FranklinNOW search of “franklin school district” (Past seven days) today uncovered five stories concerning the Franklin School Board all written by local blogger Kevin Fischer and not one by a FranklinNOW reporter. Click here to view the search results we found.

Based on Maersch’s report (He actually attended Wednesday night’s meeting”) here are the vote results of the Board's reorganization:

• President, 4-3, Evans over incumbent, Larson.
• Vice President, 4-3 Nielson over incumbent, Jeff Traylor.
• Melissa Klein and Linda Witkowski were unanimously elected Treasurer and Clerk, respectively.

Read Maersch’s full story including video…

Congratulations to all of the newly elected officers.

Is Executive Summary by Epstein Uhen the Work of Vollmer & Associates?

This morning—as I normally  do—I read Janet Evans’ FranklinNOW blog, Board's Eye View.   This morning I found an article she wrote about the looming prospect of building new school facilities in the Franklin School District.

In her piece Janet links and points her readers to the Executive Summary produced for the District by Epstein Uhen Architects.   After reading it I “Goggled” the following line from this report: “America’s public schools can be traced back to 1640 when founders assumed…”

What I found was a paper written in 2001 by Jamie Vollmer of Vollmer and Associates.Vollmer and Associates paper is strikingly similar to the Executive Summary “written by Epstein Uhen.”

Links to both are below:

• Epstein Uhen Executive Summary
• Schools Cannot do This  Alone by Jamie Vollmer  2001 Vollmer and Associates

Epstein Uhen’s report begins:

This report is to provide an objective analysis of the present condition and capabilities at the Franklin High School and Forest Park Middle School for the Franklin Public Schools. The information presented in this report was gathered through on-site inspections of the sites and buildings, interviews with the building Administration, Teachers, Aides and Maintenance staff during November and December 2011. Eppstein Uhen Architects utilized Muermann Engineering for review of the plumbing and electrical systems while Fredericksen Engineering provided a review of the Mechanical (HVAC) system…

Are Franklin taxpayers expected to pay Epstein Uhen for Vollmer and Associates work?

Does Epstein Uhen pay Vollmer and Associates a royalty for using its work?

March's most read article: Dear School Board Candidate Don Petre…

 

I am not a teacher in the Franklin Public school District but thanks to local blogger Bryan Maersch’s Wag the Dog blog I was able to read the pathetic email you reportedly sent to Franklin public school teachers attempting to garner support for your candidacy while belittling your opponents’ education.

Is this an example of how you intend to—in your words—“bring our community together.” You're nothing more than a hypoctitcal elitist that Franklin voters, including those who never graduated from college, will see through.

I see from your email that you have a BS in Education from UW-Madison, MS in Educational Administration and Supervision from UW-Milwaukee, and 23 years of experience working in the education field, along with ten years of teaching a graduate level college course.

As for your opponents you write.

Janet – HS diploma only

Aimee— Degree in Psychology but NO experience in the field.

History is littered with successful private and public sector leaders who do not hold college degrees and yet, have managed to change the course of mankind and the world. 

President Abraham Lincoln did not attend college and President Harry S. Truman attended law school but did not graduate.  George Washington did not attend college per se however he did earn a surveyor’s license from the College of William and Mary.  Henry Ford never attended college.   Steve Jobs was a college dropout and Bill Gates another college dropout received an honorary degree from Harvard in 2007.

You also write that “Neither of them [Evans or Schlueter] would ever get any consideration for a Board position at any multi-million dollar company."  How would you know?   Based on the resume you provided in your email you’ve never worked a day in your adult life in the private sector.

Please tell us the names of the corporations where you have served on the board of directors.

You also complain “They are trying to use my union membership against me.  I believe it enhances my credentials and resume.  I will be able to use this experience in labor and in management to bring both sides together and see issues from both perspectives.  In order to see progress in our district, we need the School Board members to be on the same page.”

I’m not convinced Petre understands who he will represent if he were elected.  But then again I never graduated from college.

2007 Emails Reveal Unethical Behavior by Franklin School Board Members

The following emails present a glimpse of the corrupt, unethical behind the scenes actions, coordination of tactics and strategies between the Franklin School Board, various school administrators, teachers and a pro-referendum group around the time of the  failed 2007, $78 million school referendum in 2007.

These emails were first brought to light in our story ”Franklin School Board Deserves Close Scrutiny During Run-up to Likely School Referendum” were provided to  by current school board member Janet Evans.  The emails were sent between April 4, and April 30, 2007.  For your benefit here is the “cast of characters” in these email exchanges surrounding the 2007 school referendum:

• Bill Szakacs, District Superintendent.
• Sue Huhn, School board member/Treasurer.
• Jim Ward, school board member/Vice President.
• Scott Bauer, school board member/ President.
• Mary Karolewicz, school board member and former City of Franklin Economic Development Commission (EDC) member.
• Debbie Larson, elected to the school board in 2003 and currently board president.
• Jeff Traylor, elected to the school board in 2007 and presently vice president

We found it interesting that some school board members chose to use personal email accounts when communicating with other members concerning District business.  Now why do you suppose they wouldn’t use their official government-provided email address when conducting District business?

 2007 School Referendum Emails

 

Franklin School Board Deserves Close Scrutiny During Run-up to Likely School Referendum

I see from Bryan Maersch’s “Wag the Dog” blog that our untrustworthy school board is gearing up again for a possible school building referendum for the November, 2012 general election.

With the exception of now-school board President Debbie Larson and Jeff Traylor the current school board has no members remaining from the 2007 board which placed the $78-million school referenda on the April 2007 ballot.

After the referendum failed, rumors persisted that the then-school board had ignored, manipulated and mislead voters into believing a pre-referendum voter survey called for a new high school, when in fact, the new high school reflected the personal agendas of certain board members, completely dismissing the input and wishes of Franklin voters.

There were also rumors that voting-age high school students were taken out of class to attend a propaganda assembly concerning the referendum.  Around the district a pro-referendum group had convinced some school administrations and teachers to include pro-referendum materials in student take-home literature provided by the group, while the school board remained clueless to what was happening under their noses.

Catching wind of all this, Franklin citizen Janet  Evans made an open records request to the school district for email between school board members. To determine whether there was any truth to the rumors or among other accusations, culpability between the board, teachers the pro-referendum group concerning the growing scandal.

Now a school board member, Janet Evans has been kind enough loan THE FRANKLIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL 132 pages of these emails between board members and then-District Superintendent Bill Szakacs, particularly emails from April, 2007.

Look for these emails here tomorrow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Update on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 9:13 AM by Basil Ryan

Due to a glitch with our scanner, the 2007 referendum school board emails scheduled for publishing today, will be postponed  until Wednesday, January 4 at the lastest.

"Great" Teachers…

Ask Franklin Schools Superintendent Steve Patz or any member of the Franklin school board and they will likely tell you: Franklin public schools have great teachers.  Arguably, “great” is relative, but Merriam-Webster defines great this way: An outstandingly superior or skillful person.  We do not doubt that Franklin Public Schools has some great teachers, but like any organization it more than likely has its share of not –so-great- teachers, as-well.

In researching what makes a great teacher, we came across a number of websites  that attempted to answer the question: What makes a great teacher?  You are welcome to Google that question to satisfy your own curiosity, but we settled for an article entitled: Top 5 (Plus 14) Character Traits Of Superior Teachers at a website named:  So you want to teach.com.

The article concludes that these are the Top 5 (Plus 14) Character Traits Of Superior Teachers and that if you want to be a great teacher, these are the things you should begin to develop first.  How do these traits  measure up to your expectation and definition of a great teacher?  Meet my hair-pulling fourth grade teacher, Miss Martins:

Top 5 Character Traits of Great Teachers

1. Inspired me and never let me settle for anything less than my best.
2. Compassionate, caring, made me feel important and welcomed, made a personal connection with me.
3. Were demanding, pushed me hard.
4. Had a great sense of humor.
5. Knowledge of the subject matter.

Other specifics

1. Wasn’t afraid of what other people thought.
2. Passion for the subject matter.
3. Challenged me to think beyond just the answer in the textbook.
4. Listened to my ideas.
5. Taught me new things.
6. A terrific fund raiser.
7. Kept things interesting.
8. They were interactive.
9. Added personal elements to the classroom.
10. Organized.
11. Wasn’t fake or shallow with comments to students.
12. Discipline.
13. Confidence.
14. They were problem solvers, rather than simply problem identifiers.

THE FRANKLIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL is a member of Michelle Rhee’s studentsfirst.

Here is Rhee discussing studentsfirst.org, school reform and great teachers.

RELATED MEDIA

• Studentsfirst.org Facebook link>

Not a “Facebooker”?

• Here is StudentsFirst’s website (videos) link>

Fortunately, we no longer have kids in Franklin Public Schools and feel comfortable writing about this subject without fear of reprisals to our kids from teachers doubling as union reps thug-enforcers.

Franklin School District Taxpayers Footing Bill For Non-District Residents

In a recent post, one of Franklin’s more contentious and hard-working School Board members and FranklinNOW blogger, Janet Evans, discusses some probably little-known facts and asks some compelling questions about the Franklin Recreation Department‘s fee structure and policies, as well as its funding which, if you were not aware, is under the taxing jurisdiction of the Franklin Public School District and therefore governed by the Franklin School Board.  I gathered from Mrs. Evans’ post that the school district views the Franklin Recreation Department as a pseudo-"wellness program" for district employees living outside of the district, thereby charging these government employees an in-district fee for classes in the Recreation Department’s program.

Defining the Franklin Recreation Department programs as "wellness programs" is simply asinine and ridiculous.  As Mrs. Evans rightly notes in her piece, health insurers generally have a wellness program in their coverage.

The 2009-10 the Recreation Fund budget was $ 411,716 and was increased $42,201 in 2011-12 to $453,917.  That's nearly one half million dollars that should go directly to classroom education versus yoga classes, etc.

Some members of the school board, more specifically, board vice president Jeff Traylor, do not seem to understand the meaning of fiscal responsibility.

School Board Members Respond to November 30 Board Meeting Comments by Union Rep

See up-date at the end of this story.

To- date we have received responses from Franklin School Board Members Mr. Tim Nielson and Mrs. Janet Evans concerning our December 6 story “Did Franklin School Teacher and Union Rep Threaten School Board Member's Kids?”  This was the first time we have offered any elected officials an opportunity to comment before a story involving them was published and in hindsight we realized that board members have day jobs and it was not  fair of us to ask members to respond by a 500PM publishing deadline.  Therefore, School Superintendent Dr. Steve Patz and those elected school board members who have not responded to the story are welcome to comment.  Ms. Marquerite Dargiewicz a teacher’s union representative and Art teacher at Ben Franklin and Country Dale Elementary Schools was also given the opportunity to respond to our story.   At this writing we have not heard from Ms. Dargiewicz.

Here are the emails we received from Evans and Nielson.

From: Evans, Janet (Janet.Evans@Franklin.k12.wi.us)

Dear Mr. Keller,

Regarding your reference to what went on in the audience, Board members sit in the front of the room and I did not hear the conversation your parent said transpired, so I will not comment on it.

As far as the discussion on the Employee Handbook and benefits, I have studied the handbook. Dr. Mueller (Human Resources Director) was not present at this meeting as she was at a conference. Health insurance is due to be reviewed in January. I would prefer changes would occur prior to January. I believe we should have implemented changes last July.

I am of the opinion some of the remarks made directly to Mr. Nielson by Mrs. Bialk regarding the fact that he has not been on the Board long enough to address insurance were condescending. I also brought up the topic with Dr. Patz that he had given the impression to the Board that it is "punitive" to make some of the changes to benefits that other districts have been making, and I didn't feel it was right as leader of the district for him to do this. The Board is going to need to consider making changes and if he is saying it is punitive it doesn't help the situation.  He insisted it was punitive and that some districts are just making change because they "can."  I maintain changes to insurance benefits are something we "can" do to save money.

There was some discussion about including staff in discussions on benefits.  I'm curious as to whether Board members might be included in a discussion or two on benefits. What I do know is no "negotiating" is allowed regarding benefits since Act 10.

This process (or lack thereof) has been painfully long, and in the end, painful for the taxpayer.  After the meeting on the 30th I am left wondering if some would rather consider cutting staff and programs rather than what some might consider perks. Certain Board members consistently state they are there for the students, yet appear to not want to make the hard decisions when it comes to benefits so more funding can go where it belongs - to education.  Keep in mind, there hasn't been a vote on "benefits."

Regards,

Janet Evans

School Board Member

* * * *

From: Nielson, Tim (Tim.Nielson@Franklin.k12.wi.us)

Fred:

I am compelled to explain myself a little bit here...While the situation may have been personally uncomfortable for me (who wants to be the center of negative attention?) I can't go so far as to concur with the comments I was shut down. I had plenty fo time to state my case. Judith had an opinion to express and she got the chance to do so. It wasn't argumentative. It was civil. Her and I may disagree on how many sick days per year is enough but that's OK.

Dr. Patz also expressed his opinion at the meeting and to the Board in that we (the Board) should be careful before implementing any policies that will take away benefits "just to take them away". I can appreciate that position and I can assure you and anyone who will read this that this has never been my intent.

I spent hours reviewing the Distict's handbook and wanted to have a substantive conversation about some options that may need to be explored in the upcoming budget. I used the word "proposal" with my Board colleagues which I feel was taken as an action word so I think they, as well as the people in the audience, were expecting a whole host of motions to be made for Board consideration. I recognized this while I was speaking and even addressed this in the meeting.

The benefits topic of discussion is one that strikes to the core for District employees and I completely understand that. I am not spending my free time trying to find creative ways to limit the benefits the District offers. I am merely attempting to take my business background and infuse that kind of budgetary thinking into how we can best run the District financially. It doesn't all have to do with cuts but rather efficiencies. I am not even suggesting the District is inefficient but how else can we continue to improve on how the District is run if conversations like these are not taking place? Uncomfortable, sure. But people that know me also know I can be reasonble too. I absolutely want to retain the best talent we can to teach our kids as I feel we have wonderful programs in place. The District's future is bright.

With regard to the comment if I have children in the district...I do. My two daughters are wonderful, bright, & get excellent grades. I have never had a negative comment from teachers or other staff made towards them...at least that got back to me. They volunteer and are leaders. I am not sure why an inquiry like that was made (if it was made) and I do not have a comment with regard to it.

Regards,

Tim Nielson

 School Board Member

Franklin Public Schools

Update on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 9:03 AM by Basil Ryan

To-date we have not heard from Superintendent Steve Patz, School Board president Debbie Larson, Vice president, Jeff Traylor or the balance of the Franklin School Board members or Ms. Marquerite Dargiewicz a teacher’s union representative and Art teacher at Ben Franklin and Country Dale Elementary Schools.

For those of you interested in a response from your elected representatives, as-well-as Franklin Public Schools teacher Marquerite Dargiewicz,  Patz can be reached at 529-8230 and Marquerite Dargiewicz at 525-5042. Click here for a list of school board members’ email addresses.  Disrespectful?

Did Franklin School Teacher and Union Rep Threaten School Board Member's Kids?

We received this information via email yesterday from a Franklin parent and taxpayer who attended the November 30 Franklin School Board Meeting:

I attended the last Franklin School Board Meeting and happened to sit near “Margaret” who I understood to be the local union president representing Franklin teachers.  [further research by this publication revealed this individual to be Marquerite Dargiewicz an Art teacher at Ben Franklin and Country Dale Elementary Schools].

During school board member Tim Nielson’s presentation concerning the update to the Teacher’s Handbook, I learned that Franklin teachers accrue 12 paid sick days per year.  I also learned that up to 120 days of unused paid sick days can be “banked” and paid-out at retirement.

Mr. Nielson,  who I understand is a small businessman, mentioned that no one [I assumed he meant in the private sector] gets that sort of benefit, and suggested a number of alternatives before being shut down by both School  Superintendent Steve Patz and board member Judith (anything for our teachers) Bialk.  I then heard “Margaret” ask a Franklin teacher “Does he[Neilson] have any kids in our school system?”  When the teacher replied “Yes,” they both chuckled.

As the meeting continued, I felt that both [Ms.] Bialk and [Dr.] Patz were trying to intimidate [Mr. Nielson] by suggesting, how do you expect to keep good teachers?  [Like those teaching the kids in this video?]

Bialk was definately trolling for the teacher votes.

Thanks to the McIver Institute for this video.

Dr. Patz, Marquerite  Dargiewicz and each school board member were offered the opportunity to comment on this story prior to its Tuesday, December 6, 5:00PM publishing.

The Inspiring Story of How the Town of Vernon, New Jersey Saved Itself

…whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness…

—Declaration of Independence

Whoever said “you can’t fight City Hall,” never met a citizen of the Township of Vernon, New Jersey, a small town that changed the way that their government worked for the better.  According to its website, picturesque Vernon Township is located in the beautiful rolling hills and glacial lakes of Northern Sussex County.  More than 24,000 people call Vernon Township home...

Dignity and respect.  What will it take for the people of the City of Franklin to say we’ve had enough ofMayor Tom Taylor, the Franklin Common Council and the Franklin School Board?

RELATED MEDIA

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• City Hall’s Culture of Corruption: The Beat Goes On
• Mayor Taylor’s $10,000 Forgiveness Letter
• Mayor Taylor’s $1.2 billion Fairy Tale
• Franklin citizens group disbands
• Franklin’s Culture of Political Corruption
• BATTLE JOINED blog (Franklin blog) stories categorized “Mayor Taylor” in Mayor Taylor.
• THE FRANKLIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL stories categorized “Mayor Taylor.”
• 'Boomgaard' idea bombs for some
• THE FRANKLIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL stories categorized “Franklin Public School District.”

To comment privately on this article or any other aspect of this publication CLICK HERE.

Franklin School Board Retreat: Reading between the Lines

Not having attended the Saturday, August 6, 2011, Franklin School Board Meeting/Retreat I decided to read the minutes of the meeting and wanted to share my following observations with readers.

Item 2 indicated that School Superintendent Steve Patz conducted a so-called “ice-breaker” activity involving board members and those administration employees in attendance.  No further details were provided concerning this activity.

It appears to me that the retreat was well-intended and sought to improve the effectiveness of the Board by incorporating four key priorities which were identified as conceptual goals for the Board for 2011-12.  These are the four priorities according to the minutes.

1. Define and Implement Products and Processes.
2. Develop Board Leadership and governance skills
3. Superintendent /Board of Education partnership and role clarification
4. Positive image of Board

With respect to long-range planning, Superintendent Patz recommended to the Board (which it seems to have accepted), that this item be tabled.

The Board was informed by Patz that there will be Architects presenting at the September 7 Board meeting and that the foundation for future planning is tied to the responses from the community survey. 

Architects presenting at the September 7 Board meeting?  Here we go again!

Reading Between The Lines

• Superintendent Patz indicates that Architects are presenting at the September 7 Board meeting.  What exactly has the School Board authorized these architects to design?
• This Board has been together for a number of years, and interact regularly at Board meetings, with the exception of Nielson who is the newest Board member, so what’s with the “ice-breaker activity?”  By definition an “ice-breaker” is:  an opening remark, action, etc., designed to ease tension or relieve formality.
• It seemed unusual to me that the subject book  of the book study was entitled  Five Habits of High Impact School Boards, yet the Board choose to incorporate only four key priorities which it  identified as conceptual goals for the Board for 2011-12. It can't become a habit unless it's a practiced priority, can it?
• We're also courious about priority number 4 (above); does the Board believe it has a negative image?

To comment privately on this article or any other aspect of this publication CLICK HERE

Report: Congress Members—Just over 8 percent majored in economics

A recent report from the Employment Policies Institute found that only one in five (20 percent) members of Congress have an academic background in business or economics.   The organization looked at lawmakers' college degrees and found that most of them—55.1 percent—majored in either a government-related field or "humanities." Just over 8 percent majored in economics, while almost 14 percent studied business or accounting.  This report sparked us to take a look at the business or economics backgrounds of our local elected officials.

On Friday, August 26, the following email was sent to each elected official in Franklin government, including the Franklin School Board.

[We] recently read that a report from the Employment Policies Institute found that only one in five members of Congress have an academic background in business or economics.   The organization looked at lawmakers' college degrees and found that most of them—55.1 percent—majored in either a government-related field or "humanities." Just over 8 percent majored in economics, while almost 14 percent studied business or accounting.

THE FRANKLININDEPENT JOURNAL (FIJ) is asking each elected official in Franklin government where their primary academic background lies, and is asking for your cooperation in participating in our survey.  The results will be published in an upcoming story in FIJ. If you wish to participate in this two question survey please answer the following questions—if not, please let us know that you will not participate in this survey.

1. What do you consider to be your primary academic background?
2. If you hold a college degree, what was your major?

Thank You for your participation and cooperation in this survey.

To-Date we've recieved four responces; two school board members and two Aldermen.

Look for our story on this survey on Wednesday, August 31.

To comment privately on this article or any other aspect of this publication CLICK HERE

Wisconsin’s Second Largest Group Health Insurer owned by WEAC

Would you be surprised to learn that the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) created and owns WEA Trust insurance?  We were.

In a July 14 story entitled Franklin School Board to Discuss, Insurance Bidding Process, we wrote in-part:

For the sake of Franklin taxpayers let’s hope the “insurance” being discussed by the [School] Board is employee health insurance.

In its May publication Wisconsin School Reformer, a publication of Education Action Group Foundation (EAG),reported that the limitations placed upon teacher’s unions collective bargaining will leave school boards and their districts free from costly WEA Trust insurance. Baraboo School Board got a jump on the rest of the state in May when it voted to dump WEA Trust employee health coverage in favor of similar coverage through the Dean Health Plan. According to the report, the Baraboo school District will save an estimated $660,000 per year by making the change. Eighty-eight percent of the savings will go to the district, while the other 12 percent will be split among insured employees, according to wiscnews.com.

Wisconsin School Reformer also wrote that the money the district saves will almost certainly help salvage a few teaching positions and student programs over the next few years and goes on to state that the bidding competition at Baraboo was really not competitive at all.

The family premium proposed by WEA Trust was $1,630 per month, while the premium proposed by Dean Health was just under $1,400 per month. The WEA Trust plan would have cost the district about $5 million per year, while the Dean plan will cost $4.3 million.

Since that meeting and as previously noted, we have learned that, according to its website, the WEA Trust was created by the Wisconsin Education Association Council (Wisconsin Teachers Union) to provide insurance, and retirement and investment services to Wisconsin public school employees and their families.

We noted in a related story on July 21;  Teachers Flood School Board Meeting, Franklin Teachers made up the majority of the audience at last night’s school board meeting.   During Citizen Comments school board president Debbie Larson a former teacher permitted Franklin teachers to comment on agenda item 9. a. Board Discussion, [health] insurance bidding process. Fear of the unknown and satisfaction with the status quo (WEA Trust) seemed to be the motivating factor behind most of the comments.

Larson assured these Franklin Teacher’s that the Board and the District would get their input in making the decision.  It is unclear whether Larson can make that claim without the approval of the full school board.

The Franklin School Board can certainly learn  from the Baraboo board.  We found this statement from Baraboo officials  especially interesting concerning its bidding process:

"...the bidding competition at Baraboo was really not competitive at all."

The Franklin School Board plans to conduct its search for a new insurance provider with the help of an outside consulting firm.

If you would like to discuss this or other education issues regarding the Franklin School District please contact a member of the Franklin School Board or Franklin Schools Superintendent Steve Patz at 414-525-7603.

To comment privately on this article or any other aspect of this publication CLICK HERE

Years Trump Effectiveness: Tenure and Seniority

Today we present episode 6 of our multi-part special video series presentation of the documentary film “Kids Aren’t Cars,” produced by Education Action Group (EAG) Foundation.

What if your value to your employer was decided by the sum of the last four digits of your social security number? Or you win nationwide recognition for your teaching achievement, only to be fired the next day because someone else had been there longer. It happens in American public schools every year. Do tenure and seniority benefit students and their success?

Franklin Public Schools Mission Statement

Franklin Public Schools educates every student to his/her highest level of personal excellence through learning experiences that focus on student needs in active partnerships with family and community.

If you would like to discuss education issues regarding  the Franklin School District views please contact a member of the Franklin School Board or Franklin Schools Superintendent Steve Patz at 414-525-7603.

To comment privately on this article or any other aspect of this publication CLICK HERE

Franklin Teachers Flood School Board Meeting

Franklin Teachers made up the majority of the audience at last night’s school board meeting.   During Citizen Comments school board president Debbie Larson permitted Franklin teachers  to comment on agenda item 9. a. Board Discussion, [health] insurance bidding process. Fear of the unknown and satisfaction with the status quo seemed to be the motivating factor behind most of the comments.

Larson assured these Franklin Teacher’s that the Board and the District would get their input in making the decision—quasi-collective bargaining?

We recently published an article explaining how the Baraboo School Board, in May, voted to dump WEA Trust employee health coverage (Franklin’s current health  insurance provider) in favor of similar coverage through the Dean Health Plan which District officials estimated would save the District $660,000 annually.

During the Board’s discussion on this item Human Resources Director, Judith Mueller reported to board members that the District will be working with The Horton Group,  an insurance, risk management and employee benefits consulting firm on the employee health insurance question and expected to have a change in place by this time next year.

Board member Tim Nielson questioned the lengthy amount of time Mueller proposed, suggesting  and voiced his opinion that  it could be accomplished sooner, thereby saving taxpayer dollars sooner than later.  Nielson also asked what the Horton Group’s fee. was and was told by Business Manager, Jim Milzer said that it would depend upon the consulting package the District chose.  Eventually Janet Evans pried a "ball park figure of $10,00-$20,000 out of him.  Milzer added that Horton generally saved its clients five times its fee.

School Board President Debbie Larson also resurrected a so-called “board meeting debriefing,” a past Board practice whereby each member publically evaluates the meeting based on a number of specific survey questions.  What ever its purpose, this exercise, from this reporter’s vantage point only seemed to divide the Board further and stoke the flames of animosity that already exists between some members.

Larson also seems repared to move forward with a suggestion from a Franklin Teacher in attendance, to video tape Board meetings and post them on the District’s website although the Board never discussed or voted on the matter since it did not appear on the meeting agenda.

On the hiring front, Superintendent Patz confirmed that in the coming weeks the District will be adding a communications specialist to its staff.

Also, with the job elimination of Adria Day, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent Patz, for the short-term, the Superintendent has taken it upon himself to take and publish the board meeting minutes, a task which is relegated to staff and the City Clerk for Franklin Common Council Meetings.
Finally, the annual Meeting of the Electors will be held on August 24, 2011, Agenda to follow.

RELATED MEDIA

• Wisconsin Schools Already In Line to Save Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Through Newly Negotiated Teacher Contract

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Franklin School Board to Discuss, Insurance Bidding Process

For the sake of Franklin taxpayers let’s hope the “insurance” being discussed by the Board is employee health insurance.

In its May publication Wisconsin School Reformer, a publication of Education Action Group Foundation (EAG), reported that the limitations placed upon teacher’s unions collective bargaining will allow school boards and their to free their districts from costly WEA Trust insurance.  Baraboo School Board got a jump on the rest of the state in May when it voted to dump WEA Trust employee health coverage in favor of similar coverage through the Dean Health Plan.  According to the report, he Baraboo school District will save an estimated $660,000 per year by making the change. Eighty-eight percent of the savings will go to the district, while the other 12 percent will be split among insured employees, according to wiscnews.com.

Wisconsin School Reformer also wrote that the money the district saves will almost certainly help salvage a few teaching positions and student programs over the next few years and goes on to state that the bidding competition at Baraboo was really not competitive at all.

The family premium proposed by WEA Trust was $1,630 per month, while the premium proposed by Dean Health was just under $1,400 per month. The WEA Trust plan would have cost the district about $5 million per year, while the Dean plan will cost $4.3 million.  Read more.

A check of this Wednesday’s (7/14/11 Revised) Franklin School Board Meeting agenda shows item 9. a. Board Discussion, insurance Bidding Process.  Other topics we found interesting on the agenda include:

Discussion Regarding 2011-2012 Budget

Superintendent’s Report:

a. Trails Committee Update

b. Economic Development Committee Update

c. SWSA Resolution

d. Architects Hiring Update

e. Retreat Update

Look for our report on Wednesday night's meeting on Thursday, July 21.

$3.1 million Paid to Top Franklin School Administrators Over Past Five Years

"We are returning to frugality and making the long-term decisions to balance our budget now and more importantly into the future. We will do the heavy lifting to protect our children and grandchildren from having to make the hard decisions that were once avoided."

—Gov. Scott Walker, March 1, 2011

In its 2011-12 Budget Draft Franklin Public Schools (FPS) asks: What in the World is Affecting Franklin Public Schools?  Here are the answers provided by FPS’ administration.

• The Economy
• State Budget Problems
• Possible State Law Changes
• Revenue Limits
• More Federal money means more time spent reporting

Like any government monopoly, over-spending didn’t even make the list.

"Since our primary purpose is to be advocates for the students in our community, it is imperative that we place some of the best teachers in our state in front of our students for a quality educational experience to occur.”

—Steve Patz, Superintendent, Franklin Public Schools, FPS2011-12 Budget introduction : Looking Back, and Forward

Huh?!  I thought the school district's primary purpose was to educate its students.

In his July 5 story entitled: Franklin schools tackle challenging budget by FranklinNOW’s Rick Romano we get a good sense for what some Franklin School District administrators and school board members think of the 2011-12 Franklin Public Schools (FPS) budget and budgeting process in light of Governor Scott Walker’s two-year $66 billion state budget deal designed to balance the state’s budget and close the $3.5 billion budget gap without raising taxes or fees, while reining-in local government’s taxation and spending. (e.g. public school boards and municipalities).

From Romano’s piece:

Quoting Franklin’s complaining Superintendent Steve Patz, Romano writes “Every school district is different, but we all face difficulty that has been complicated by the state budget process this year.  Just like in every year, we approve a budget and then wait until we have the final student count in October to finalize the numbers."

How did our neighbors in New Berlin react to Walker’s budget?

Click to read more ...