Budget Update...Education is a Sticking Point

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/05/michigan_budget_education_fund.html#incart_hbx

The Legislature is Working on the Budget and Diffusing an Embarrassment

http://www.miparentsforschools.org/node/166
This is what the legislature is working on right now.

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2012/05/urban_districts_say_proposed_k.html

This article on the embarrassment of urban schools having to cut programs because the change in kindergarten funding (cutting the funding in half or requiring full day programming) puts federal dollars at risk.  Urban schools that provide all day kindergarten currently are able to supplement their funding with federal Title I dollars which will be lost under this new scheme.  If the legislature folds, they will take the funding from somewhere to supplement the urban schools.  I wonder where that funding will come from?  Best Practices dollars could be threatened.  We will keep you posted.  Lucy

A Whole District Going Charter? Is This The Future?

From the www.miparentsforschools.org site.

Muskegon Heights schools to be replaced with charters?

Submitted by Steven Norton on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 1:17pm

Both MIRS News and the Grand Rapids Press are reporting that the emergency manager running schools in Muskegon Heights has proposed replacing the public school district with a network of charter schools.

The emergency manager, Donald Weatherspoon, is proposing the conversion as part of his solution for the school district’s financial problems. The district’s debt, currently $12.4 million, will remain with the rump school district, which will have only one or two employees, including Weatherspoon. All other staff would have to apply with the charter schools for jobs. About leaving the debt with the public district, Weatherspoon said that he wanted to give the new charters a fresh start.

Weatherspoon said that he proposed having the school district – of which he is in total control – authorize the charter network. (Networks of charter schools run by one board were permitted for the first time in the recent legislation which also removed the cap on university-sponsored charters.) Acting in place of the elected Muskegon Heights school board, Weatherspoon would then appoint the board of the charter network. It’s unclear what would happen when, and if, the local school district emerges from emergency management.

To retire the debt of the current school district, existing and possibly new property tax levies would be used to retire current obligations. (Charter schools do not have local taxing authority and receive their entire funding from the state.)

This is the first such proposal in the state, no doubt partly because the legal tools were not available until recently. State Treasurer Andy Dillon and State Superintendent Michael Flanagan must still approve the plan before it moves forward.

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Debate continues over teacher retirement system

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2012/05/michigan_republicans_at_odds_o.html

Revenue Conference Articles

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/05/michigan_budget_schools_revenu.htm

lhttp://michiganradio.org/term/school-aid-fund

http://www.freep.com/article/20120517/NEWS15/205170724/Jobless-rate-drop-tax-revenue-jump-boost-Michigan-s-economic-outlook

EGRPS PTA Legislative Committee Update 5-20-12

•      Center for Michigan conversation was a success. Over 20 people came to give

their opinions about education in Michigan. Watch the blog for a link to another

talk in Grand Rapids co-sponsored by Michigan Radio sometime this summer.

•      Retirement costs are still the most crippling expense in our budget and our school board has no control over it.   This school year almost $0.25 of every salary dollar goes back to Lansing to cover retirement costs. Next year this cost is predicted to be $0.27.   The Legislature’s solution to this problem initially was too severe, threatening massive teacher retirements. The governor and Legislature have lessened the changes, staving off massive retirements.  We will know more over the summer.  We are lucky to have Kevin Phillips, our Assistant Superintendent of Business, join the statewide board overseeing these changes.

•      State Revenue Conference was May 16.  The state may have more money in the School Aid Fund than anticipated last January.  This may not result in more money to schools, however, because community colleges and universities are still funded through this fund.  In any event, the legislature and governor plan to have the School Aid Budget finished by June 1 which will be advantageous for schools which will not have to borrow money to make their payroll and bills like in previous years.

•      All Day Kindergarten was in all three budgets, the House, Senate and Governor’s.  It will be in the compromise budget and all schools will be coping with this cut.  It will cost our district approximately $450,000 to ramp up for all day kindergarten.  Watch the www.egrps.org to see how we will cope.  Also, the Kindergarten start date legislation has passed and will be phased in over 3 years starting 2013/14.

·         Cyber school legislation passed-we don’t know what the economic impact will beover the next few years.

Important Recap of the Disastrous Year for Public Schools in Michigan by Steve Norton of MI Parents for Schools

Steve Norton of Michigan Parents for Schools recaps the disastrous year that public schools have had.  He advocates getting informed and letting our legislators and the governor know that we want more for our schools.  He advocates working together to get the word out.  Let's keep up the good work of collaborating!


http://www.miparentsforschools.org/node/164

Sample Letters for Cyber School Vote Reconsideration

LisaLyons@house.mi.gov

Dear Representative Lyons—

The vote to pass the Cyber School Legislation was so close, it must mean that the State of Michigan Legislators and residents are not yet ready to allow virtually unlimited for-profit cyber schools in Michigan which will drain resources for current brick and mortar schools.  When the Michigan House reconsiders this legislation, please vote no.

Best Regards,

Your Constituent in the 86^th Districrt,

PeterMacGregor@house.mi.gov

Dear Representative MacGregor—

The vote to pass the Cyber School Legislation was so close, it must mean that the State of Michigan Legislators and residents are not yet ready to allow virtually unlimited for-profit cyber schools in Michigan which will drain resources for current brick and mortar schools.  When the Michigan House reconsiders this legislation, please vote no.

Best Regards,

Your Constituent in the 86^th soon to be the 73^rd district,