Teacher asks board to reconsider tax-cutting agenda

JANESVILLE — A teacher brought flowers from her garden and placed them on the Janesville School Board’s table Tuesday.

“I’m bringing these in peace,” said Wendy Haag, a special-education teacher at Jackson School. “I truly have some sincere concerns.”

The board might have been prepared for something less peaceful. A memo circulating among teachers last week called for them to come to the board meeting to object to the board’s recent tax-cutting discussions.

The board has directed Superintendent Tom Evert to come up with ways to cut up to $1 million from the 2008-09 budget in an effort to hold down taxes.

Evert said he intends to have his list ready for the board’s Aug. 12 meeting, and board President DuWayne Severson said he wants the board to approve the budget Aug. 22.

But Haag, limited in the three-minute comment portion of the meeting, said she would like a chance to address the board for 10 or 15 minutes before the budget is finalized.

The board is looking at tax cuts because of the recent round of layoff announcements at General Motors and other local companies.

Haag said the bad economic news is a reason to invest in education, not cut its funding.

Rising poverty in the district is another thing to consider, Haag said.

“If we shortchange our children … because we’re worried about saving tax dollars, I’m really worried about that,” Haag said.

The district needs to look to its quality now more than ever as a way to attract new businesses to the area, Haag said.

During a break in the meeting, Haag suggested the board could invest in more Smart Boards, which are like computerized blackboards. Teachers who use them have found them a great teaching aid that captures students’ attention.

Beloit Turner’s middle school has Smart Boards in every classroom, Haag said, while few Janesville classrooms have them.

Haag was the only teacher who addressed the board. Teachers union President Sam Loizzo attended the meeting.

Haag also asked the board to reconsider paying off two bond issues early and wait until they had a chance to hear her out.

The board voted 8-0 to pay off the bonds. New member Greg Ardrey abstained, saying he didn’t know enough about the issue.

Board President DuWayne Severson said after the meeting that he appreciated Haag’s speaking to the board, but he didn’t hear any board members say they wanted to hear her.

“At this time, I’m not anticipating that we’ll hear her presentation to the board,” Severson said.