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.