No cost of living raises? Not allowed to strike? Sounds like you believe teachers should have no rights, Lennie. Coming from someone who contributes so little while wanting so much, that's not surprising. Lets go one further- let's have teachers live in compounds like army bases. And definitely have armed guards. Teachers aren't deserving citizens- they're here for the beck and call of their superiors (any adult who is NOT a teacher). You seem to think you have the right to not pay taxes, Len, thus taking money out of the economy. Now you think you have the right to keep others from getting the compensation they deserve. I agree with you on one position- the union is responsible for what happens and a lot of the teachers don't agree with union tactics, but are forced to play along. But putting so much blame on the ones who teach our children, what is what most of your "fans" do, is not healthy for community or society. Join the real world Lenny, where things are not quite as simplistic as you believe.

After Angela left several teachers and spouses of teachers identified themselves and joined in the discussion.

In my 5 year contract proposal discussed last night were raises.

Correction- after you left Angela, there were teachers and spouses there. Some chose to identify themselves, some didn't. It was up to them. We all appreciated there feedback.

Personally, strkinng is just another form of bullying. And it seems to happen in the areas that we have become (sadly) too dependent on...government. Public schools are government run, correct? Airlines are government regulated as I recall. And here we see union control. They use our dependence against us. What other area gets annual 6% increases? I can't think of any. In non-governent, you don't strike, you quit, and someone who really wants the job replaces you. No bullying necessary.

For anyone wanting to discuss my ideas in an open and honest fashion I am always willing to do so in person. Just let me know when your group or a group of just your friends want to meet.

Fire all the current teachers. There are many many qualified people waiting behind them for a well paying job.

I went to Lennie's presentation last night expecting one thing and was surprised it wasn't what I expected.

I do not share his view on the union, however I do agree with him on some of his other view points!

First we need the BOE to have vision. From what I can tell and he mentioned they do not appear to have vision and not very proactive.

Second that just because you don't share same view point as someone else you still need to work together to find viable solutions.
Third need to show up when taxing bodies hold their budget meetings. He mention him and another person was at D127 on Xmas eve. Not complain on here after they vote on it!

Need to be informed who we vote on the board. He mentioned there is only 14% voter turnout on these small local elections. Be proactive!

I'm not able to comment on solutions he presented last night as I have not put time and energy into them to see if they would work. I do know he presented more solutions last night then I have heard from the BOE since I have been going to the meetings since Oct this past year.

This is my view I think we need to set aside the anger/bitterness, our differences and work together and solving the issues facing our community as we are all in this together. We are all part of the community. Writing angry post on here is counter productive!

Just my perspective right or wrong!

Chris C.

I just 2 more of the slides from my presentation last night. One is the Scattergram which shows the number of teachers in each slot on the pay schedule. The second is the framework for the 5 year contract I proposed. There are more details that were discuss that is in the slides. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. My offer still stands to come speak to any group that would like to have an open and honest discussion.

Thanks Chris for the kind words. It is time for us to talk WITH each other whether we agree on everything or not. It's the only way to come up with solutions.

There are some very good basic concepts here in theory. I'm just not comfortable that we'd find many highly qualified teachers that would stick around 30 years to go from $47k to $68k receiving raised that don't even measure up to CPI. And how many could afford to pursue advanced degrees under this proposal.
Again, I see some good ideas in concept...need to be fleshed out in reality.

The full presentation can now be viewed at http://forourchildrensfuture.com/

http://trs.illinois.gov/subsections/members/pubs/brochures/bro19.htm

Lennie, in your opinion, does the district have money or not? I know that is a loaded question but the teachers claim there will be a cash balance of $26 million dollars which $16 million of that could be used for compensation. The board reports that we could be dipping down to a little over a million in the near futuer. To me, this is the biggest misunderstanding and who is right? Show Me The MONEY

No, from looking at the budgets and charts, the district does not have the money. The other problem is, until they make some changes, which are outlined in the presentation, they will not have any money for a long time. If they make some changes they will have some money again in 2014/2015. That is why I proposed a 5 year contract.

If you look at the presentation "Fund Balances - Education Fund" you will see the problem (May). With deficit spending of $1.6 Million this year and another $1 Million next year (not including the contract costs) that amount is going to be close 0. If it goes negative, and the district has to start borrowing short term money, it is the beginning of a death spiral. So No, there is not 16 million that can be spent on the contract at this time.

So Len, I'm curious. When this particular issue is resolved, what will your next crusade be?

Great coverage Angela ,this is the type info all sides need to be made aware of,but why was there another discussion held after you left ?

Nice. More greedy public employees striking... my mother was a retired D46 teacher and would be ticked off at this 2013 strike... Hmmm.... what is the reason why Illinois is so behind in it's bills???? Let's look north to Wisconsin to see the answer.... public employee greed and pensions.... time to stand up and say no.

Strike Information Townhall

Where State Bank of the Lakes 50 Commerce Dr, Grayslake, IL 60030
When January 19, 2013
Time 2:00 pm–5:00 pm

Did you notify everyone of your background; the leader of the tea party in lake county?

Lennie,
Some good work on your presentation. I would take issue with the strategy of banking on increased GSA revenue due to freezing the levy and hoping that declining EAV drives a higher GSA revenue number. EVERY district's EAV is declining. The state has responded with prorating the GSA payment. This year that rate is at 89%. Nothing prevents the legislature from adjusting any of the factors in the GSA calculation formula, including the Foundation amount of $6,119/pupil, or adjusting for state-wide EAV erosion. The scuttlebutt right now is that the proration percentage for next year will be 80%.

So, a strategy that is completely dependent upon a dramatic increase in state GSA funding driven by a levy freeze and declining EAV is a strategy doomed for failure.

The data is from the ISBE as stated. The names DID work in the district in 2012 as shown by the data unless you are claiming the district of ISBE are now using false data on their websites.

The salaries presented are correct, the year is what is in question for 2011. Again, unless you believe the district or the ISBE is reporting false data.

I also pointed out other false data coming from both the district and union. Why don't they want the people to know the truth?

Why is the union, knowing there will be RIFs, negotiating for higher classes (40 -50) is projected with their offer?

Why aren't you getting this Terri? Why does Lennie have to constantly say the same thing over and over to you?

Using the link on your website to the ISBE database, the teacher on the last line went from $91 in '09/'10 to $95 in '11/'12...3 years...and no longer works in the district.
Where do you get the 40/50 class size data?

It would be appropriate to answer the following directly, IMHO:

So, let me get this strait. I should:
"ask questions to make sure you (I) have the correct information instead of spinning and insinuating false information."
But you post information where you "believe there is an error. Not sure if was a district error or an ISBE error at this point." and the only way to know that is to come to your meeting?
You should be ashamed of posting data, with names, that you admittedly believe is erroneous...and the only disclaimer is a link that doesn't work that comes after you're called out? Some of the teachers in your slide don't even work in the district anymore. Why would the teachers want a link to misleading information on their Facebook page?

I used the link on your website, right menu, to the ISBE database.
Where in this comment or post have I referred to FY13?
'09/'10, '10/'11 &'11/'12 (3 yrs) are all available for the high paid teacher on the last line. None of the ISBE data matches the data on your slide

I followed the link on the right side of your page with the presentation...took me to the ISBE data base via Family Taxpayer

350 people showed up Sunday in the freezing cold to support the teachers of their district. That’s:
• 10 times the number that showed up for either of the For Our Children’s Future town halls.
• 10 times the number, on average, that shows up to BOE meetings.
• 5 times the number that have ever shown up for a BOE meeting (in recent history).
30 local business showed their support for the teachers by supplying food, providing parking, providing warming shelters, allowing access to their bathrooms, and donating cash to help teachers that might need it in a prolonged strike. Residual benefits went to local food banks through excess donations. That’s:
• 10 times the number of local business’s that spoke at any levy hearing.
• Equal to the number of attendants at any For Our Children’s Future town Hall.
• Equal to or greater than the average attendance at a BOE meeting.
Actions speak louder than words. I applaud the board for listening to the public. I only wish the silent majority had been more vocal at the levy hearings. It’s too late to do what the public really wanted.