Last night the Green Bay Education Association voted to ratify a contract extension to help 'cushion' the impact of Governor Walker's budget repair bill. The results are devastating.
Next year in Green Bay (just a few highlights):
- The salary schedule has been preserved, but you will no longer be able to earn more money for furthering your education
- Sick time has been preserved
- Comp time has been 'suspended' (and when I say 'suspended', I really mean eliminated)
- Class size caps have been 'suspended'
- Teacher prep periods have been 'suspended'
- The idea of the 8 hour work day has been 'suspended'
- Teacher Emeritus is now tiered for former hires and eliminated for new hires
- Substitute teachers will be replaced with Emeritus teachers
- Riders (pay for extra-curricular coaching/advising) have been eliminated
- Teachers will pay 12% of their healthcare premiums and 6% of their pension contribution
What does this mean for me?
- This means that I will be doing the same job (teaching for 8 hours, marching band, pep band, jazz band, assistant musical director, POPS Concert director, Solo Ensemble and evening concerts) without subsidies provided by the district totaling approximately $12,000
- This means that on top of the $12,000 I will take another pay cut of about $3,000 for insurance
- This means that besides the $15,000 mentioned above, I will receive another cut of about $2,300 to contribute to my pension
When all is said and done, I will be doing the exact same job (or possibly more because of the elimination of prep time) for approximately $17,300 less than what I currently make. We are currently a single-income family. We live in a 1-bedroom apartment in a crappy neighborhood. We don't have cable because we can't afford it. It's not like we're living in the lap of luxury! How am I supposed to make this work? I can't afford to be a teacher!
Someone please wake me up. This is a nightmare.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Maybe it's just me?
As the hubby and I watch the evening news, I have to find a way to occupy myself during coverage of 'The Bill'. I have gotten really good at the game Bookworm on our iPod, but sometimes if the iPod doesn't have enough charge, I resort to Sudoku on my phone. It's not because I don't care, in fact, it's because I care too much. For the time being, I'm not going to go into the details. The details of this bill have consumed too much of my life to take over my blog, too.
What bothers me most is how this bill has impacted personal relationships in Wisconsin. This bill has pitted neighbors against neighbors, friends against friends, and family against family. How can people sit idly by and allow this bill to tear Wisconsin apart? I hate facebook. Every time one of my "friends" posts a pro-Walker or pro-bill statement, article, or video, it makes me cringe. Of course I take it personally! When you actively choose the other side, and then actively make the choice to post and defend your opinion, I feel that I am being attacked my the very person I have called my friend. I have cared for each person on my friends list, and I interpret these things to mean that you do not care for me. Are you then, truly my friend?
"You can't take it personally, it's just politics". I choose to take it personally because these are people's lives. This isn't a case of saying, 'you're right, I was wrong, can we still be friends?'. This directly affects my friends, my family, and MY life! If you choose to support this bill, fine- I sincerely hope that you are doing it for the right reasons. I have stood by your side through thick and thin. I have been there to applaud you at your best. I have helped you when you have fallen. I have cared for and educated your child. Do you feel nothing towards me?
Again, you might not care about hurting me. Just remember, someone else in your neighborhood will be affected by this bill. Someone else in your circle of friends will be affected by this bill. Someone else in your family will be affected by this bill. Are you ok with how this bill will negatively impact those people? What about the children?
I am a fiercely protective person. You are my friend because I care about you. I will continue to care for you and defend you until I have nothing left to give. Will you not do the same for me?
Monday, January 17, 2011
In sickness and in health...
I woke up Sunday morning with a sore throat, runny nose, and massive headache. I felt so yucky I even moved my french horn lesson to Thursday night before symphony (which I really hate to do). I climbed back into bed and convinced Dave to connect the Wii in the bedroom. I spent half of the day asleep and the other half catching up on some sinfully trashy television. Thank you, Netflix instant streaming!
I woke up this morning feeling about the same. I figured it would probably be a good idea to stay home from school. I went in this morning for jazz band rehearsal and to prep my substitute, and then headed back to bed. Except for the sneezing, throbbing head and sore throat, today has been pretty ok (unless you count the fact that I've eaten my daily caloric intake in throat lozenges alone). I got to update Dave's resume and help him with some job applications.
As much as I hate being sick, I do love how well Dave takes care of me : ) Being waited on hand and foot is kind of awesome. I'm hoping to get over this bug soon, but I'm glad to have such a wonderful husband in the meantime.
I woke up this morning feeling about the same. I figured it would probably be a good idea to stay home from school. I went in this morning for jazz band rehearsal and to prep my substitute, and then headed back to bed. Except for the sneezing, throbbing head and sore throat, today has been pretty ok (unless you count the fact that I've eaten my daily caloric intake in throat lozenges alone). I got to update Dave's resume and help him with some job applications.
As much as I hate being sick, I do love how well Dave takes care of me : ) Being waited on hand and foot is kind of awesome. I'm hoping to get over this bug soon, but I'm glad to have such a wonderful husband in the meantime.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Honeymoon-ing
On our last night in Orlando, Dave and I are in the sitting room of our condo with full tummies and big smiles.
We left Green Bay on Wednesday afternoon, an hour early thanks to my fabulous co-worker who graciously offered to cover my last class of the day. Dave had spent the day packing so all I needed to do was pick him up and head to the airport! We were shocked to fly out of Green Bay on the same flight as Fox’s NFL sideline reporter, Pam Oliver, but other than that nothing exciting to share on that experience. We got into Orlando at about 10:45, made it to the resort at 12:30, and were finally able to crash into bed around 1 a.m.
On our first full day in Orlando, we spent much of it exploring the resort. What a beautiful facility! The accommodations are incredible, and I can’t believe how many changes have taken place since I was last here about 15 years ago! On the first night, we decided to try out one of the many heated pools on site, and quickly learned that night swimming in Florida, in January, was not the best idea (especially considering that we were trying to escape the cold!). While I’m sure it was still 50+ degrees warmer than home, it was still a bit too chilly for swimming.
Day two was incredible! This was the day we had been looking forward to since we started planning. We woke up early and headed straight to SeaWorld. One of the first things we experienced here was the dolphin nursery. Dave said I couldn’t have one : ( Since neither of us had ever been to this park we decided to spend the extra money for the VIP tour. Best money ever spent! We had a group of 11 people (including us). We were joined by a young couple, Ellie and Ken, local Orlando-ians celebrating their first anniversary of dating; there was a grandmother, mother, daughter group from Pennsylvania; and a wonderful family of 4, (Andy, Jo, Dan and Max) on holiday from the UK. We started out with a water ride, followed immediately by The Kraken (which Dave was too chicken to ride). We fed sea lions and sting rays, but the highlight was definitely feeding the dolphins! Reserved seats at all of the shows (sea lions, dolphins, and of course, the killer whale show) were worth the money alone! Sea World was such an educational and enlightening experience, I hope that we will be able to bring our own children many, many years from now ; )
Day three consisted of lots of pool time! We had planned to rent jet-skis for the day, but the temperature of the lake was a little too reminiscent of the temperature back home. Instead, we decided to take advantage of the resort’s heated pools. This is exactly what we needed! We sat by the pool, drinks in hand, and enjoyed each other’s company. We were able to reflect on our wedding day and discuss plans for the future. After heading back to the room for a nap, we got dressed up and went out to dinner. Dave had steak, I had crab legs. We toasted the memory of Dave Weinert, the good fortune we’ve been so lucky to experience thus far, and the future of our amazing relationship.
I lay on the couch typing as Dave watches football and I realize that check out is less than 12 hours away. I can’t wait to get home and see our kitties, start writing thank-yous, and spend time with family and friends. I’m so thankful to my Godparents, Tom and Diana, for letting us use their condo this week. It really has been an incredible experience, and I’m so thankful to have such a kind and generous family.
UPDATE: Additional celebrity sightings! We also saw Al Roker and family in the Orlando airport while we were checking in. He walked right past us! He's actually very short in person. When we arrived in Green Bay, we also saw a few lingering Packer players arriving from their game in Philadelphia.
UPDATE: Additional celebrity sightings! We also saw Al Roker and family in the Orlando airport while we were checking in. He walked right past us! He's actually very short in person. When we arrived in Green Bay, we also saw a few lingering Packer players arriving from their game in Philadelphia.
Monday, January 3, 2011
In Loving Memory
The first 72 hours of marriage have been very bittersweet. We were so excited to experience the joys of married life, especially my favorite: early bedtimes. Saturday and Sunday were days filled with family, clean-up, preparation, and for some of us, recovery. Our marriage was official and our biggest concerns were going back to school on Monday and getting things ready for the honeymoon. Real-life was ready for us before we were ready for it, and late Sunday night we were sadly informed of the loss of a loved one.
Dave Weinert was a fun-loving, caring young man. He and my cousin Andrea were in the midst of planning their summer 2011 wedding, and we were thrilled at the prospect of 'officially' welcoming him into the family. He was a wonderful person, and we all loved him very much.
Everyone offers condolences and I could say the usual, but I won't. I can't even imagine the pain that Andrea and family must be experiencing. I won't pretend that I understand. Instead, I want to share the poem from our wedding programs, and hope that it may offer some form of comfort. In loving memory of David M. Weinert, this is dedicated to Andrea, the Schultz Family, and the Weinert family:
And if I go, while you're still here...
know that I still live on,
vibrating to a different measure
behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me, so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to the fullest,
and when you need me,
just whisper my name in your heart,
... I will be there.
I will never forget how truly lucky I am. Tonight I hold my husband a little closer, and say a prayer for Dave and his family. We love and miss you, and we will forever cherish your memory.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Wedding
The Ceremony
It was definitely a long time coming. We were engaged for 2 years and 8 days before we tied-the-knot before our family and friends, in one of the most beautiful and personal ceremonies we could ever have imagined. Everything about the ceremony was perfect! Family and friends gathered to the beautiful sounds of piano (played by an amazing colleague and friend). Five beautiful ladies, adorned in the black dress of their choosing, were ushered down the aisle by five handsome men. I was escorted by my father to the sounds of nine orchestra students (past and present) playing the Adagio from Corelli's Christmas Concerto. At the end of the aisle stood the most handsome and charming man I've ever met, waiting to take my hand and my heart for the rest of our lives. My very dear cousin presided over the ceremony which only added to the intimacy of the event. Our reading was hand selected by us, from The Alchemist, and read by a dear friend of ours. Instead of a second reading we selected the song I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman and it was beautifully sung by my very dear friend, colleague, former LMS co-counselor, and roommate. The site was expertly decorated by my mom, dad and other family. Everything was perfect; from the lanterns and evergreens in every window to the homemade 'huppah' structure draped with muslin, prisms, and winter greens. Dave and I wrote our own vows and customized our ring exchange responses. The room was packed with family and friends and there wasn't a dry eye in the building. I had a hard time not crying during the song, and Dave was emotional during the vows. It was perfect!
The Reception
Our reception was wonderful! The Rock Garden staff was so accommodating and easy to work with. I'd highly recommend the facility to anyone. We served family style broasted chicken and tenderloin tips with all the fixings, cheese tortellini to our vegetarian friends, and even offered a veggie stir-fry option for our vegan friends. We had two styles of centerpieces: one was a tall cylinder with submerged roses and a candle on top and the other (designed by me) was a smaller candelabra with two prismed cups of flowers (probably hard to imagine, so I'll try to post pictures later). We had one of the most delicious wedding cakes imaginable! It had a bottom layer of cheesecake and the top layer of traditional cake. It was so good, I had some leftovers for breakfast this morning. Of course, my mother created a serving set masterpiece with beaded handles of white and silver pearls (breathtaking!). I was thrilled to see friends I haven't seen in forever especially my childhood friend Autumn, who traveled with her husband Rhett from Tennessee for the event. All of our family was present including the Pekahs from Oklahoma and Wausau; the Schultz's from Oregon, and amazing friends from coast to coast. Our first dance was Barry Manilow's What are you doing New Years Eve? and I danced with my father to his favorite song, the Blue Skirt Waltz. The evening included a bridal party scavenger hunt complete with audience participation and newlywed trivia (which was much more fun than I was expecting). We counted down the new year surrounded by friends, family, and each other and I can't imagine a better way to start off the new year.
The Small Things
We had planned to forgo the traditional limo to help cut costs, but we knew we wouldn't have enough room in the car for my dress. Instead, we rented a Cadillac DTS for us. My Godfather found out we didn't have a limo (the day before the wedding, mind you), and pulled some strings with a guy he knows. We ended up getting a limo for the rest of the bridal party, for next to nothing! Thanks, Uncle Tommy! My sister's maid-of-honor speech was incredibly touching, and extremely beautiful. Thank you for sharing, KC! We missed being able to celebrate with Dave's best man Ryan, but we know he was thinking of us and sending love from Columbia.
Instead of the traditional favors, we made a donation to the ASPCA to help prevent animal cruelty and support animal rescue services. We also wanted to raise money for a local no-kill animal shelter, the Orphan Animal Rescue Sanctuary. In order for us to kiss at dinner we asked people to make monetary donations. We raised over $80 to help feed, house, and adopt orphaned animals in our local community. This is such a meaningful cause to us as our own two kitties were orphaned early in their lives, and our hedgehog was part of a rescue operation in Texas. Thank you to everyone for your donations!
As with every wedding, there come a few glitches. I was extremely unhappy with the situations (that's right, plural) associated with the wedding hall's scheduling but I will just move past those things that didn't quite go as planned. Lets just say I was angry. I am very thankful that both Dave and his dad have better conflict management skills when emotions are running high than I might have.
After so many years of planning, so many hours of preparation, our Big Day was more perfect than Dave or I could have ever hoped for. We will have the most amazing memories from that day that we will cherish forever! We want to sincerely thank everyone who helped make our day so fantastic. Thank you to everyone who came out to share in this special time with us and for those who couldn't make it we know you were with us in spirit. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to our bridal party! You were all wonderfully helpful and we really appreciated everything you did. Finally, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to my mom and dad! You both did so much for us to make this day happen and I really don't think I can ever express how much everything meant to me.
Happy New Year!!!
Love, Steph
P.S. More to come soon from the Turkey Pants blog : )
It was definitely a long time coming. We were engaged for 2 years and 8 days before we tied-the-knot before our family and friends, in one of the most beautiful and personal ceremonies we could ever have imagined. Everything about the ceremony was perfect! Family and friends gathered to the beautiful sounds of piano (played by an amazing colleague and friend). Five beautiful ladies, adorned in the black dress of their choosing, were ushered down the aisle by five handsome men. I was escorted by my father to the sounds of nine orchestra students (past and present) playing the Adagio from Corelli's Christmas Concerto. At the end of the aisle stood the most handsome and charming man I've ever met, waiting to take my hand and my heart for the rest of our lives. My very dear cousin presided over the ceremony which only added to the intimacy of the event. Our reading was hand selected by us, from The Alchemist, and read by a dear friend of ours. Instead of a second reading we selected the song I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman and it was beautifully sung by my very dear friend, colleague, former LMS co-counselor, and roommate. The site was expertly decorated by my mom, dad and other family. Everything was perfect; from the lanterns and evergreens in every window to the homemade 'huppah' structure draped with muslin, prisms, and winter greens. Dave and I wrote our own vows and customized our ring exchange responses. The room was packed with family and friends and there wasn't a dry eye in the building. I had a hard time not crying during the song, and Dave was emotional during the vows. It was perfect!
The Reception
Our reception was wonderful! The Rock Garden staff was so accommodating and easy to work with. I'd highly recommend the facility to anyone. We served family style broasted chicken and tenderloin tips with all the fixings, cheese tortellini to our vegetarian friends, and even offered a veggie stir-fry option for our vegan friends. We had two styles of centerpieces: one was a tall cylinder with submerged roses and a candle on top and the other (designed by me) was a smaller candelabra with two prismed cups of flowers (probably hard to imagine, so I'll try to post pictures later). We had one of the most delicious wedding cakes imaginable! It had a bottom layer of cheesecake and the top layer of traditional cake. It was so good, I had some leftovers for breakfast this morning. Of course, my mother created a serving set masterpiece with beaded handles of white and silver pearls (breathtaking!). I was thrilled to see friends I haven't seen in forever especially my childhood friend Autumn, who traveled with her husband Rhett from Tennessee for the event. All of our family was present including the Pekahs from Oklahoma and Wausau; the Schultz's from Oregon, and amazing friends from coast to coast. Our first dance was Barry Manilow's What are you doing New Years Eve? and I danced with my father to his favorite song, the Blue Skirt Waltz. The evening included a bridal party scavenger hunt complete with audience participation and newlywed trivia (which was much more fun than I was expecting). We counted down the new year surrounded by friends, family, and each other and I can't imagine a better way to start off the new year.
The Small Things
We had planned to forgo the traditional limo to help cut costs, but we knew we wouldn't have enough room in the car for my dress. Instead, we rented a Cadillac DTS for us. My Godfather found out we didn't have a limo (the day before the wedding, mind you), and pulled some strings with a guy he knows. We ended up getting a limo for the rest of the bridal party, for next to nothing! Thanks, Uncle Tommy! My sister's maid-of-honor speech was incredibly touching, and extremely beautiful. Thank you for sharing, KC! We missed being able to celebrate with Dave's best man Ryan, but we know he was thinking of us and sending love from Columbia.
Instead of the traditional favors, we made a donation to the ASPCA to help prevent animal cruelty and support animal rescue services. We also wanted to raise money for a local no-kill animal shelter, the Orphan Animal Rescue Sanctuary. In order for us to kiss at dinner we asked people to make monetary donations. We raised over $80 to help feed, house, and adopt orphaned animals in our local community. This is such a meaningful cause to us as our own two kitties were orphaned early in their lives, and our hedgehog was part of a rescue operation in Texas. Thank you to everyone for your donations!
As with every wedding, there come a few glitches. I was extremely unhappy with the situations (that's right, plural) associated with the wedding hall's scheduling but I will just move past those things that didn't quite go as planned. Lets just say I was angry. I am very thankful that both Dave and his dad have better conflict management skills when emotions are running high than I might have.
After so many years of planning, so many hours of preparation, our Big Day was more perfect than Dave or I could have ever hoped for. We will have the most amazing memories from that day that we will cherish forever! We want to sincerely thank everyone who helped make our day so fantastic. Thank you to everyone who came out to share in this special time with us and for those who couldn't make it we know you were with us in spirit. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to our bridal party! You were all wonderfully helpful and we really appreciated everything you did. Finally, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to my mom and dad! You both did so much for us to make this day happen and I really don't think I can ever express how much everything meant to me.
Happy New Year!!!
Love, Steph
P.S. More to come soon from the Turkey Pants blog : )
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