This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
Do NOT cry for any school superintendent
This should come as no surprise to any Wisconsin homeowner. Your government, the 2008 legal incarnation of Jesse James continues to stick you up and rob you.
The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance says Wisconsin property taxes rose 5.7 percent in 2008. That's the largest single-year increase since 2005.
Take a guess, beleaguered property taxpayer, and my guess is you’ll get it right in nano seconds…..guess what part of your property tax bill went up the most?
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School levies rose the most, at 7.4 %
Not surprised, are you Franklin taxpayers? Your school tax levy went up just under 12 % last year.
Let me repeat. Your school tax levy increase, Franklin taxpayers was just under 12% last year, after EVERYBODY associated with the school district swore for months that the increase would be under 6%.
Now we know where a part of those huge school tax increases has gone.
You think I’m going to say right back into the classrooms, don't you?
Nope.
How about teacher salaries?
Extra-curricular activities?
Try salaries for superintendents.
The hired guns for school boards are getting bigger and bigger raises at a time when teachers moan and groan about having to resort to buying their own chalk for the blackboards.
Since we’re focused on the superintendent scorecard, let’s take a look at how our area superintendents are doing, salary –wise. Remember, school districts are always crying the blues that they have no money, that voters have to approve colossal referenda, and that students will only perform better in the classroom if communities build Miller Park-like school buildings.
Superintendent salaries and enrollments for area school districts (most available data from Wisconsin DPI):
Franklin School District Supt. Steve Patz: $150, 000
Enrollment: 4,178
Greendale School District Supt. William Hughes: $147, 088
Enrollment: 2598
Whitnall School District Supt. Karen Petric: $143, 412
Enrollment: 2420
Oak Creek-Franklin District Supt. Sara Larsen: $134, 649
Enrollment: 5,867
Greenfield School District Supt. Conrad Farner: $105, 947
Enrollment: 3,255
Milwaukee Public Schools Supt. William G. Andrekopoulos: $171,000
Enrollment: 86, 815
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle: $137, 092
The national average for gubernatorial salaries is $124, 398
Whoever negotiated for Steve Patz took our School Board to the cleaners. No way, no how should Steve Patz be making more than the governor.
Franklin taxpayers, be advised, the next time you hear a Franklin teacher, or principal or administrator or School Board member or his Royal Highness, the Superintendent himself begging for money for the district, keep this blog in mind.
FYI:
Remember the biggest crook in the Franklin School District, the guy keeping track of the books, “Business Manager” James Milzer saying publicly over and over and over again that Franklin had to increase school taxes by 5.6%?
Milzer told the Franklin School Board the night they voted for the school budget that the increase was 5.6%. It turned out weeks later after I reported it on my blog that the increase was actually just under 12%.
Milzer, the man who singlehandedly screwed Franklin taxpayers and is still a trusted man on the taxpayer-funded payroll earns the following annual salary:
$119, 893
Milzer does two things when he cashes his checks, thanks to you, the Franklin taxpayers:
1) Laughs
2) Lets out a loud shout of: SUCKERS!
Your school tax dollar going directly into classroom instruction?
Guess again.
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