EGRPS Legislative Committee

Michigan PTA Advocacy Day

2012-01-31T14:43:00.001-05:00

Michigan PTA
Advocacy Day 2012

Saturday, March 3rd
Holiday Inn – Livonia

HIGHLIGHTS

Zero Tolerance for Unwarranted Expulsions —
Strategies and Alternatives Guest Speaker: Mark P. Fancher
Attorney for the Racial Justice Project of the ACLU ♦
Grassroots Advocacy Training
♦ Common Core State Standards
♦ Update on Education Funding in Michigan

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Reduced Registration Rates for 2012!
New This Year! Member Parent + Student Rate - $55

More Information

Flyer/Registration Form Online registration will be available next week.

Some Articles in Response to Governor Snyder's State of the State

2012-01-25T13:31:00.000-05:00

Governor Snyder states he wants to increase Education spending, but this might look very different than what you are imagining right now. Lucy

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/apnewsbreak-snyder-plans-more-education-spending/bc390c92c1024b038ac19ea5806a3931

An analysis of the Governor Snyder quote that only 17% of high school students are college ready in Michigan.

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2012/01/michigan_college-readiness_rat.html

Important!! All Day Kindergarten Funding Cuts

2012-01-15T13:19:00.002-05:00

We need to get communication out to our legislators about All Day Kindergarten. This is not an academic issue or an issue only for parents of Kindergarten students. This is another straight funding cut. The cut comes from the common sense desire of the framers of Proposal A who did not want to dictate the use of every dollar sent to local districts. They felt that each grade level had a different level of funding needs and that these decisions could be made on the local level, thereby sending the same amount for a Kindergarten student as a high school student. Our current legislators frame this as the school districts "ripping off" Lansing and they demand to set the funding for Kindergarten at half the amount of the full day student. So, we will face a $900,000 cut if we keep our program as it is and a $450,000 cut if we ramp up our program. Either way, this is an extreme cut when we are already facing multiple cuts and federal income declines as well as multiple other changes in education laws that have to be addressed. This isn't the time to add All Day Kindergarten cuts to Michigan K-12 schools. Please consider the following letter:

LisaLyons@house.mi.gov

Dear Ms. Posthumus-Lyons:

The proposal to reduce funding for districts operating half-day kindergarten programs is yet another huge blow to the public schools on top of the already unsustainable cuts the legislature and Governor imposed in the last budget. Our district stands to lose $900,000 if we stay with a half day program. If we implement a full-day kindergarten program, it will cost our district $450,000, which the legislature is not proposing to fund. It is unclear how this proposal will save the state any money. Surely every district will have to go to full-day kindergarten. It is safe to assume that student enrollment for kindergarten will not decrease because of this, so the cost to the state is the same. The only effect this proposal will have is to cost districts more money, meaning that they will have to make even more cuts to significant academic programs, which will affect the students directly.

The per pupil funding is not intended to represent the cost per pupil; it is intended to represent the total cost to educate all the students divided by the number of students. The fact is, it costs significantly more to educate a high school student than a kindergartener. Every other legislature understood this and allowed districts to apportion the funding to accommodate this fact. When you and your colleagues suggest cutting per pupil funding in half for each half day kindergartener, you are taking precious resources from the higher grades.

I demand that you abandon this latest assault on the public schools.

Sincerely,

PeterMacGregor@house.mi.gov

Mr. MacGregor is 73rd District Representative. EGR will be part of the 73rd District after the 2012 election. Consider introducing yourself to him and letting him know how you feel.

senmjansen@senate.michigan.gov

Senator Mark Jansen will continue to be our Senator after redistricting.

What Does it all Mean? Upcoming State of the State and Revenue Conference Numbers

2012-01-15T13:05:00.001-05:00

What are we going to see for Michigan in the next year? We hope to get a picture from the Governor's State of the State.

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/01/state_of_the_state_wishes_what.html

Apparently, there is no big budget surplus in Michigan. What there is has already been appropriated.

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/01/the_myth_of_michigans_12_billi.html

Center for Michigan Education Talks Coming Soon. Wixom talk to be aired on Public TV Jan 20, 7pm.

2012-01-15T13:01:00.000-05:00

The Center for Michigan will hold meetings around the state. The first one took place in Ann Arbor in December. The second one will be televised on public television and will be held in Wixom, MI on Friday, January 20, 2012. It will be aired at 7pm on Friday night. We are trying to make sure that Grand Rapids/West Michigan is included in the talks. Please keep your eye out for this great opportunity. Lucy

http://bridgemi.com/2011/12/2957/#.TxMS8m_gF8E

School Districts are in Deficit Following Unprecedented Cuts

2012-01-15T12:53:00.000-05:00

What a surprise...districts are in deficit! K-12 funding has taken hits over the last five years. No amount of fiscal responsibility can bring you above water in times like these. Please read the district Communications regarding how these cuts are affecting EGRPS.

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2012/01/nearly_50_michigan_school_dist.html

Did You Know We Already Have 25% of For-Profit Charter Schools in the Nation?

2012-01-15T10:50:00.001-05:00

Julie Mack revisits Western Michigan University Professor Miron's research on charter schools.

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/01/michigan_has_a_quarter_of_the.html

Governor is considering his options with the charter school bill

2011-12-16T15:19:00.002-05:00

Governor Snyder is giving consideration to both the Charter School bill as well as the domestic partnership bill. He may still be influenced by emails and phone calls.

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/12/gov_snyder_waiting_to_study_ch.html

Michigan PTA Statement on Charter School Expansion

2011-12-16T15:16:00.000-05:00

December 15, 2011

Michigan PTA Statement on
Michigan Charter School Expansion Vote

Today the Michigan Legislature passed Senate Bill 618, which removes the cap for Charter Schools in Michigan . Michigan PTA supports efforts to improve our state’s public education system to provide every child with a quality education.

Michigan PTA is not opposed to Charter Schools or a parent and student’s right to choice. We are opposed to the creation of Charter Schools that can possibly have a negative impact on our public school system. Senate Bill 618 lacks accountability to guarantee that new charters opening are run by effective authorizers and operators with track records of success. We are encouraged to see that this new legislation acknowledges the issue of quality and calls for the development of a work group to examine the issue of quality.

Michigan PTA will continue to advocate for improvements in our state’s public education system. Every present and future student of Michigan deserves a quality education. We only get one opportunity at educating a child; we must ensure that the opportunity is not wasted on a game of chance.

Respectfully,

Shaton Berry President

Michigan Parent Teacher Association
1390 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
Phone: 734-975-9500 - Fax: 734-677-2407
Web site: www.michiganpta.org

Online Petition asking Governor Snyder to Veto The Lifting of the Charter Cap

2011-12-16T15:15:00.001-05:00

Our own Tina Murua has set up an online petition. Please take a look below.

"Dear Governor Snyder,

Please veto Senate Bill 618. I am appalled at the continued assault on the public schools. SB 618, which lifts the cap on charter schools, will siphon funds from the public schools and line the pockets of for-profit charter operators. The bill does nothing to address inequities in the quality of education available to the children of Michigan. Under the bill, the charter schools do not have nearly the accountability that traditional public schools have. There is no requirement that they open only in struggling school districts. There is no requirement that the operators demonstrate a track record that is better than that of the schools they are supposed to be offering an alternative to.

I applaud efforts to improve public education in this state, but this bill does exactly the opposite. At a time when the Public Schools are supposed to be consolidating services and reducing budgets, adding more schools and a whole other administrative construct seems both penny and pound foolish. Again, I urge you to veto SB 618."

http://signon.org/sign/tell-gov-snyder-to-veto?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1819725

House Votes to Lift Charter Cap, Awaits Governor signature

2011-12-16T15:13:00.000-05:00

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/12/michigan_house_approves_charte.html

STOP SB 618!

2011-12-11T21:08:00.001-05:00

If you have not already contacted yourstate representative (for most of us, that’s Lisa Lyons, but after the nextelection cycle, it will be Peter MacGregor, so it is worth contacting him, aswell) about SB 618, please do so today. If you have already contacted them, please consider contacting themagain. SB 618 will eliminate caps on thenumber of charter schools that may operate in this state. Charter schools will even be allowed to operatein districts that are well-performing. The competition that charter schools foster is competition for ratherscarce dollars. So far, they have notproven to be the panacea for failing schools that they were promised tobe. Here are some facts that you may notknow about charter schools:

Charterschools in Michigan are NOT performing at or above the districts from whichthey draw students. In fact, 75% ofPublic School Academies (PSAs) in Michigan are in the BOTTOM quartile ofdistricts and buildings!

Charterschools in Michigan DO NOT provide equitable special education services basedon student needs as required by Federal law. In terms of actual services delivered,charter schools offer less than 25% of the special education services thattraditional schools within Kent ISD offer.

Charterschools in Michigan – as compared to the districts from which they drawstudents – ARE NOT serving higher need students or students of more diversity;most diverse PSAs are VERY homogeneous.

Michiganprovides much more publicly funded parent choice already than do most otherstates in the United States.

Ask yourlegislator why Michigan would enact a policy to create more one-buildingschools at a time when many of our districts are facing significant deficits. Why would Michigan expand one-building districts when traditional schools arebeing encouraged to consolidate operations? Most importantly, why would Michigan lawmakers allowan unlimited number of schools that are failing our students at a MUCH higherrate than traditional public schools?

When you talkto your legislator, explain that any expansion of charter schools should belimited to districts where there are persistently low performing buildings withthe provision that new charter operators demonstrate a track record of successand commit to providing the same level of service – transportation, foodservice, special education -- as the schools they are replacing. Our reforms should be focused on quality, not quantity. Thecharter school choices offered to parents must be better than the traditionalschools they are seeking to leave.

laptop requirement for every student in EGRPS

2011-12-08T12:58:00.001-05:00

Do you know about this?

http://www.mlive.com/east-grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/12/east_grand_rapids_schools_leap.html

Alert From Friends of Kent County Schools

2011-12-06T15:38:00.001-05:00

Please call your state representative about the charter school bill TODAY!!

In the last week, we've asked you to make phone calls to the House urging a no vote on Senate Bill 618, the bill that expands the number of university charter schools without regard to quality. We're asking, once again, that you make this call. It's important that we keep pressure on state legislators to look at policy rather than politics when making decisions about the future of education in our state.

Friends of Kent County Schools opposes the legislation because it seeks quantity over quality in charter school expansion. Weeks of testimony from high performing charters illuminated that there are bright spots in the charter industry. But what isn't talked about is the fact that many charter schools operate on the persistently low achieving list and leave thousands of students behind. We need safeguards in the bill to ensure that only the best of the best are allowed to replicate and only in areas of the highest need. Legislators have promised a subcommittee to deal with quality. These quality safeguards must be a part of the bill, not part of a politically motivated exercise. Several times during the hearings on this bill, amendments were offered to address the quality concerns-they were defeated. Additionally, the bill removes any requirement for charter schools and cyber schools to report to the Michigan Department of Education on success.

EMAIL your representative NOW! Make sure they know where you stand and how important it is to oppose this bill. Click here to find your state representative by zip code.

Contact Us

Phone: 616.240.2256

Email: friendsofkentcounty@gmail.com

Emergency Legislative Alert

2011-11-30T15:41:00.001-05:00

Hello to My EGRPS PTA Legislative Committee and Friends--

Today is the day to set aside other tasks and take our task in hand. We don't have time to put this in a blast. We have to send out emails and call our friends. The House Education Committee met yesterday. See the summary below. I testified in Lansing with two other mothers in order to protect our schools. We were in the minority. Although it appears that there are plenty of charter schools in Michigan, the Republicans in charge want to move forward in lifting the cap. There is no plan to close existing schools. The market forces are supposed to come into play with the less effective schools withering and dying or improving their services, like in the business world. If you wonder if this is possible, please read Professor Morin's work out of Western Michigan University. He studied Michigan schools (starting with a pro charter outlook) and found that traditional public schools are the poorer for charter schools opening. Please read his research at the WMU website http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2010/07/011.shtml.

Lisa Lyons has been placed on the Education Committee because it is believed that she will vote yes for this bill. We need to call her, write her and we need to do it today. Please send an email out to your friends. We don't have time for a blast. If we don't influence her today, the cap will be blown and charters can move into high performing districts like ours with devastating effect. Please read what the Washington Post has to say about Michigan'seducation reform at http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FE15x0bzT&h=eAQH4DtdFAQECHYqMfbDMZcffnM__DwkTmYgcEqBfm6MiZw.

Lucy Lafleur, Chair EGRPS PTA Legislative Committee

Phone: (517) 373-0846
Toll Free: (855) 596-6786

LisaLyons@house.mi.gov

Dear Ms. Lyons--

As the newly appointed member of the House Education Committee, you have the ability to vote against the Parent Empowerment bill which is before this committee. I am certain that Michigan has enough charter schools with new charter schools opening every school year under the current law. I am concerned about unlimited charter schools stretching the School Aid Fund too far and severely limiting the resources available for the existing public schools. I am concerned that oversight for quality and fiscal oversight of charters is to be provided by the charter issuer rather than locally elected officials like a public school board. I am concerned that traditional schools will become poorer for charter school opening nearby. this has been researched by a WMU professor http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2010/07/011.shtml. Please vote no on this bill. School reform needs to be well thought out in order to not starve traditional public schools.

Does the Market theory work?

2011-11-30T15:07:00.001-05:00

Here is some research on how public schools are harmed by charters. This is due to decreases in resources and concentration of the neediest children. This si a Western Michigan University professor with much of his research done in Michigan. Local research on local schools.

http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2010/07/011.shtml

Summary of House Hearing on November 29, 2011

2011-11-30T14:59:00.001-05:00

Subject: Charter School Cap

House Republicans yesterday shuffled committee assignments in the wake of potential opposition on the House Education Committee to SB618, which would eliminate the cap on charter schools. Removed from the committee was Holly Hughes, reportedly a no vote on the charter bill, and replaced by Lisa Posthumus Lyons, who is presumably a yes vote. It would be good if those of you who are represented by Lyons to give her a call or send an email letting her know you oppose the bill. Former Committee Chair Paul Scott was replaced by Rep. Jon Bumstead of Newaygo.

Also yesterday, the committee introduced a substitute bill for SB618 that ostensibly takes care of some of the objections we've expressed to SB618. It retains the language restricting community college charters to their service area, retains the 3 percent administration fee for charter oversight, adds some likely ineffective language to address the quality issue, and requires additional transparency on the part of charter schools. While it retains the tax exempt status for charters, there are those who contend that will ultimately be removed, although the change in committee membership makes that effort more difficult.

Originally, testimony was to be limted to yesterday's hearing and a vote was to be taken this morning. It's unclear if that schedule remains intact, or if last night's highly localized snowstorm will affect committee hearings. Below is the story from Gongwer.

Committee Shakeup As Charter School Vote Looms
As the House Education committee nears a vote on the charter school expansion bill, a major reshuffling of the committee membership has improved its chances of approval.

Tuesday afternoon, House Speaker Jase Bolger's office announced that Rep. Holly Hughes (R White River Township) had been replaced by Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto). Ms. Hughes has been noncommittal on the bill, which would end the charter school cap. Ms. Hughes did not respond to a message seeking comment. "People can believe whatever they want, but we needed to make a multitude of changes for a multitude of reasons," Mr. Bolger's spokesperson Ari Adler said. "Once you start making changes to committee assignments, you end up with a domino effect."

Rep. Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo) was added to the committee to replace recalled Rep. Paul Scott.

One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the move was not a punitive one against Ms. Hughes, but rather designed to protect her politically. Had Ms. Hughes, who represents a politically competitive district that previously was held by a Democrat, voted for the bill, the Michigan Education Association might have heavily targeted her for defeat in 2012. If Ms. Hughes had voted no, she might have lost support from key Republican constituencies and drawn a Republican primary challenge.

Several sources noted that had Mr. Bolger wanted to stack the deck to overwhelmingly report the bill, he could have replaced other members on the committee like Rep. Thomas Hooker (R-Byron Center) and Rep. Ken Yonker (R-Caledonia), who have wavered on charter school expansion, with sure yes votes.   Mr. Adler said many members were willing to work with Mr. Bolger to take on different assignments, either temporarily or permanently as needed, to help with the committee workload. Mr. Bolger announced several committee assignment changes Tuesday to replace the spots Mr. Scott had held, one of which went to Ms. Hughes on Health Policy. "It's that kind of caucus cohesion that makes the House Republicans such a powerful force for reform," he said.

Word is House Speaker Jase Bolgerreplaced Rep. Holly Hugheson the Education Committee to protect her from the politically difficult vote.
Gongwer News Service first reported that some House Republicans were having doubts on ending the cap on how many university-authorized charter schools can exist (See Gongwer Michigan Report, October 26, 2011). At the time, the Michigan Association of Public School Academies sent out an alert to its supporters asking them to urge a handful of House Republicans, including Ms. Hughes, to back the bill. Ms. Hughes declined to say where she stood on the issue, but several sources following the issue said she was a solid no.

During three hours of testimony Tuesday, the two sides of the charter school debate made many of their same arguments, but this time in front of Rep. Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills), the new interim chair of the House Education Committee, following the recall of Mr. Scott. Several in the packed crowd bristled at Mr. McMillin's way of questioning those testifying, and he also had words with Rep. Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield Township) who didn't appreciate his answering the question she was asking a charter school advocate.

Following testimony from staff members at the Holly Academy, Ms. Brown asked if they still supported the bill, knowing that SB 618 caps the number of Schools of Excellence, of which Holly Academy is one.

Mr. McMillin interjected and said there will still be excellent schools, because competition and choice will make sure of that, and those that not doing well won't succeed.

"Mr. Chairman, I'm asking them the question if you don't mind," Ms. Brown said. Mr. McMillin shot back, saying he was the chair, and asked her if this is how she was going to ask questions.

At the start of the hearing, the panel heard from Fern Katz, vice president of the Southfield Public Schools Board of Education. She opposed the bill for several reasons, including, she said, because it hurts public schools when students leave charters following the Friday count day that determines their annual funding. When those students come in, the school is not given the necessary funding from the state, she said. Later, Melanie Laber, principal at FlexTech.High school in Brighton, testified about the success of their new charter school. She said they face the same funding issues as public schools when new students arrive later in the year.
Mr. McMillin said if students arrived later this school year, she would receive 10 percent of the foundation allowance for those students. She said they were fine with that.

"And you're not whining about the idea that you're only going to get 10 percent, I mean it's the kids we're focused on, right?" McMillin said, drawing several jeers from the audience.

Under the bill, the 150-school threshold would be eliminated, it would allow two or more authorizers to issue a charter school contract and it requires demonstrated academic achievement in educational goals for all student grade levels.

It also removes a requirement that labor agreements of a resident school district carry into the new charter school and requires 5 percent, instead of 15 percent, of school district electors to initiate a ballot petition to issue a new charter school. The bill passed a divided Senate in October.

Two of Ms. Laber's students testified about how much they enjoyed their charter school experience. One was freshman Amelia Moorehouse, who is a competitive gymnast and spends most of her day practicing and attending meets around the Midwest. She attends the school two days a week, and communicates with her teachers daily, and takes online classes.

"We do high school differently," Ms. Laber said.

She said when they opened this year they began with about 25 students and now have about 160, with more coming every week. Ms. Brown said it was great the school opened this year. It was one of 19 charter schools that to open this year. "So there's a not a problem, because you opened a charter school," she said.

Ms. Laber said they have about 25 students to interview before the end of the year who would like to attend, prompting Ms. Brown to ask if they turn students away. "If we don't think they are going to be successful, we talk to them about other options," Ms. Laber said.

Rep. Deb Shaughnessy (R-Charlotte) said if charters are rejecting students because they are full, then lifting the cap would eliminate that problem, she said.

Eugene Cain, chief school administrator at the El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Public School Academy in Lansing talked about the success they have had. He noted they take all students, have their own buses and have a special education program. He said he supports the bill because he believes in choice. "People of means have always had choice, I would rather see that extended," he said.

Rep. Rudy Hobbs (D-Lathrup Village) asked how this bill to allow more charter schools would do anything to replicate the success Mr. Cain has had at his school. Mr. Cain said he hadn't read the entirety of the bill and Mr. Hobbs urged him to do so.

A group of parents from the Grand Rapids area spoke in opposition to the bill, saying they feared it would take away the students with the means, and would leave the most vulnerable in the public schools.    They said they were not opposed to choice, but that this bill would allow for any charters to open, not just good charter schools.

The Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Townships Association also testified in opposition to a portion of the bill that allows for a property tax exemption to for-profit entities that lease their buildings to charter schools. The precedent that would set, as well as the financial loss due to this subsidy, concerned them, officials from the MML and MTA said.

The Department of Education indicated that if the bill became law and there was no limit on the number of charter schools, that the department would need additional staff member to handle all the new applications.

Several opponents of the bill pointed out that several charter schools have been shut down due to poor performance.   Mr. McMillin said there are quality issues with traditional public schools as well and none have ever been shut down. "We are going to make sure that is dealt with," he said.

He said he plans to form a subcommittee to look into quality issues of both types of schools. "I think it would be unfair just to address charters," Mr. McMillin said.

Another hearing on the bill is set for Wednesday morning when a vote is expected

Michigan's Embarrassing School Reform in the Washington Post

2011-11-30T14:57:00.001-05:00

On my way to testify yesterday at the hearing of the House Education Committee, this was in the Washington Post. Does it make you proud to live in a state with "embarrassing school reform"? It embarrasses me.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FE15x0bzT&h=eAQH4DtdFAQECHYqMfbDMZcffnM__DwkTmYgcEqBfm6MiZw

All Day Kindergarten Letters to Senators and Representatives

2011-11-27T15:01:00.001-05:00

Please read this article about All Day Kindergarten. We need to rally on this soon.
An elementary conundrum:Should kindergarten be full time? October 27, 2011 Matt Vande Bunte.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/11/michigan_lawmakers_push_for_fu.html

In the mean time, let's get the word out to parents about All Day Kindergarten. These letters were penned by Legislative Committee member Anne Grobel and she wants to share them with everyone. The first letter is about how many kindergarteners are not ready for all day school and the second one is regarding funding cuts.

86th district LisaLyons@house.mi.gov (our current representative)
73rd district PeterMacGregor@house.mi.gov (our new representative following 2012 elections)
28th district senmjansen@senate.michigan.gov

Dear Representative Lyons/Representative MacGregor--
Dear Senator Jansen--

It has come to my attention that the legislature will pursue mandatory all-day kindergarten in the next few months. As a parent and a taxpayer, I would like to strongly advocate against taking this position. I believe that forcing school districts to require all day kindergarten will be detrimental to both the districts and the children involved. Many children at this tender age require a rest during the day and would find a full academic day too stressful. For these children, the potential academic benefits of three or four additional hours of classroom instruction would be lost to fatigue and burnout. It is unreasonable to expect school district employees to determine which children are ready for this program at 4 and which at 5 years old. That decision is best left to parents and guardians. At present there are many existing programs to provide all day care for children who may require that outside the home. My experience is that many children find a full day rigorous and exhausting in the early months of first grade, so to expect that from all Kindergartners is unreasonable. All day kindergarten would provide a lot of children with a stressful and unpleasant beginning to their academic careers.

Best Regards From Your Constituent,

Dear Representative Lyons/Representative MacGregor--

Dear Senator Jansen--

All Day Kindergarten strips funding for high school programs while putting more strain on early elementary education budgets. While I understand the need to most efficiently use the diminished tax revenues in Michigan, dissecting school budgets and forcing kindergarten programs to be funded only for the time each child is present in the building is an unreasonable cost cutting measure. The legislative intent of Proposal A was to leave allocation of these per pupil monies under local control. It is more expensive to educate a high school student than a kindergartner, and these students have very different needs. I believe the locally elected school boards, local district administrators and local voters are in the best position to properly and most effectively determine how to distribute these funds among the buildings and staff and to best educate all of the children in their particular district.

Please continue to allow local control on the issue of whether a child attends half-day or all day kindergarten. Let's give these future taxpayer and members of our community the best chance to get a solid education and become productive members of our communities.

Best Regards from Your Constituent,

Testifying in Lansing and How is Michigan's Economy Really Doing?

2011-11-27T14:51:00.001-05:00

New hearings in Lansing in front of the Michigan House Education Committee on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 10am. Parents are welcome. Let me know if you are interested in going. lucylafleur@sbcglobal.net

While considering attending this hearing, peruse Rick Haglund's essay on the improvement of Michigan's economy as reported by UofM economists. Our recovery is strong this year (before the business tax cut) and will slowly improve over the next two years due to car manufacturing. The economists have a hard time speculating whether the economy will improve more with the tax cut and they warn that the tax cut could cause a decline in infrastructure and education which will not attract outsiders (both workers and industries) to Michigan.
http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/11/rick_haglund_michigan_economy.html#incart_hbx

Thank a Teacher

2011-11-27T14:33:00.000-05:00

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/11/us_secretary_of_education_want.html

News Gleaned from the Annual Test of 15 year olds

2011-11-27T14:23:00.001-05:00

Let's fix public education where it is broken. Let's support parents in their performance at home. We keep hearing about this international test of fifteen-year-old kids. Read about a study of the parents of the children who do well. How can we replicate what works? Lucy

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/11/around_the_world_better_parent.html

State ed system head leading community forums

2011-11-18T17:00:00.001-05:00

State ed system head leading community forums

[Posted by The Associated Press November 17, 2011, 9:13 PM]

The head of Michigan's new system for failing schools plans to hold forums across the state to hear from parents and community members as the district prepares to launch.

Education Achievement System Chancellor John Covington is attending two community forums in Detroit Thursday with Detroit Parent Network Executive Director Sharlonda Buckman.

System spokesman Bob Berg says about 10 other forums are planned statewide, with a schedule being developed during next several days.

The system will assume operation of the state's lowest 5 percent of performing schools and will begin operating its first schools in September.

Covington is the ex-schools chief in Kansas City, Mo. He says the new Michigan district eventually will serve more than 100,000 students.

Letter to House Rep Lyons re Parent Empowerment

2011-11-15T14:52:00.001-05:00

LisaLyons@house.mi.gov

Hello Representative Lyons;

I am writing to you today to tell you to vote no on the Parent Empowerment package of bills. While I am supportive of expanding the options for parents whose children are in failing schools, I am concerned about good school districts competing with too many schools. Michigan cannot afford such an expansion of schools! Also, the legislation does not address the quality of education in these new schools. We demand quality regulation and fiscal responsibility such as is followed by successful traditional school districts in Michigan. Let's put more thought into reinventing education in Michigan, including looking to home grown success!

Regards,

MEAP Successes

2011-11-15T14:43:00.001-05:00

Here are some articles on MEAP successes, including the best 60 districts in Michigan based on this test.

http://bridgemi.com/2011/11/three-cheers-for-academic-success/

http://bridgemi.com/2011/11/and-the-winners-are/

http://bridgemi.com/2011/11/walkervilles-success-is-stuff-of-movies/

Latest EGRPS PTA Leg. Committee Update

2011-11-13T15:39:00.001-05:00

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2011/11/down_goes_paul_scott_the_rise.html

Although House Education Committee and Grand Blanc House Representative Scott was recalled, we must still advocate for changes and increased regulation in the package of bills called Parent Empowerment Act which passed the Senate in October and is waiting for review in the Michigan House. Here is the update:

EGRPSPTSA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE:

Acritical vote coming up in the house would blow the cap on charter schools aswell as allow unfettered expansion of cyber schools. These changes comeunder the Parental Empowerment Education Package, a set of bills introduced inSeptember and passed in the Senate in October. The House is planning onmoving just as fast! While we are supportive of expanding the options forparents whose children are in failing schools, we are concerned about goodschool districts competing with too many schools. Michigan cannotafford such an expansion of schools! Also, the legislation does notaddress the quality of education in these new schools. We demand qualityregulation and fiscal responsibility such as is followed by successful traditional school districtsin Michigan. Let's put more thought into reinventing education in Michigan,including looking to home grown success! For more information, please check www.egrpseducationadvocates.blogspot

LisaLyons@house.mi.gov

HelloRepresentative Lyons;

I amwriting to you today to tell you to vote no on the Parent Empowerment packageof bills. While I am supportive of expanding the options for parentswhose children are in failing schools, I am concerned about good schooldistricts competing with too many schools. Michigan cannotafford such an expansion of schools! Also, the legislation does notaddress the quality of education in these new schools. We demand qualityregulation and fiscal responsibility such as is followed by successful traditional school districtsin Michigan. Let's put more thought into reinventing education inMichigan, including looking to home grown success!

Regards,

All Day Kindergarten Considerations

2011-11-13T15:33:00.001-05:00

AllDay Kindergarten continues to be a concern. When Representative Lisa Lyons met with EGRPS Administration and School Board members last week, she stated that the change is very likely to happen in the next budget cycle. Not only will this change in state policy have a severe economic impact on our district, but the district also needs time to develop curriculum as well as hire staff trained inearly childhood education. This is amultiple step process that takes time. We are also very concerned about the economic impact on other districts close by. Lucy

Please remember that schools, such as those in GRPS, that currently have All Day Kindergarten programs are utilizing federal money for the other half of the day. They will lose that federal money under the new state law. All Day Kindergarten will impact all schools in Michigan that offer Kindergarten whether they are expanding to meet the requirement or they are losing federal dollars.

Bill requiring students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance clears Senate committee

2011-11-12T21:57:00.001-05:00

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/11/bill_requiring_students_to_rec.html

State Board of Ed President urges accountability if charter cap is lifted

2011-11-12T21:50:00.001-05:00

This article discusses State School Board President John Austin's recommendations to law makers should they choose to lift charter school caps. One recommendation is that charter schools be held to the same accountability standards as regular public schools. Is Lansing ready to listen?

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/11/state_school_board_president_j_1.html

Grand Rapids Public Schools are doing more with less

2011-11-02T19:55:00.002-04:00

For all the talk about Michigan's urban public schools failing to be efficient, the fact is, GRPS has managed to balance its budget despite an almost 50% decrease in state aid over the last few years. When our legislators perpetuate a perception of public schools as wasteful and poor stewards of resources -- and use that myth as a way to justify draconian budget cuts -- we need to set the record straight. In this video of a recent Rapid Growth event, learn about what GRPS has been doing and what its plans are for the future.

http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/schoolsofthoughtspeakerseries.aspx?utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Schools+of+Thought&utm_content=%7bEmail_Address%7d&utm_campaign=The+Skull+Edition

Advocacy Alert From PTA Michigan

2011-11-02T14:52:00.001-04:00

November 1, 2011

Michigan PTA Members:

The Michigan Senate recently passed Senate Bill 619, allowing an unlimited number of cyber-schools in Michigan. This bill is now before the Michigan House Committee on Education. Click here for the full text of SB 619 or copy and paste the link into your browser bar:
www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billengrossed/Senate/htm/2011-SEBS-0619.htm.

Senate Bill 618 – to remove the cap on all charter schools in the state – was taken up by the House Education Committee last week. The full text of SB 618 can be found here or copy and paste the link into your browser:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billengrossed/Senate/pdf/2011-SEBS-0618.pdf

You are an advocate for the children in our state and nation. It is important for you to let your Michigan Representative know that you expect the Legislature to ensure that every child in Michigan receives a quality education. As the Michigan Legislature makes changes to public education, it is imperative that our students have qualified educators and proper oversight. All educational opportunities available must help students reach their full potential.

Ask your legislator:

Who oversees cyber-schools? Are they required to demonstrate experience and success in virtual education?
Who determines the curriculum and instructional materials for cyber schools? Are they required to follow the Michigan Curriculum Framework?
What assessments are done to evaluate the students’ progress? Are students in allpublic schools – traditional, charter, and cyber - required to take the MEAP and the Michigan Merit Exam?
How do cyber schools ensure that students are doing their own work?
Are all public schools required to adopt the Common Core State Standards?
What research have you (the legislator) reviewed in regards to charter schools and cyber schools?
If a student leaves a virtual school, and returns to a brick and mortar school, does the funding follow them?

Call your Michigan Representative today; let him or her know that they must look out for the children of Michigan – their future depends on it! Click here to find your representative's contact information .

Thank you for speaking up for children,

Michigan PTA Committee for Children’s Advocacy

Community Colleges Millages and Legislation that will Affect Public Schools

2011-10-18T14:56:00.000-04:00

Grand Rapids Community College is Considering a millage for capital expenses. Community colleges have in the past requested millages for Operating Expenses, but now that they are funded through the School Aid Fund, they are not requesting more dollars for this. We need to be aware of the community colleges because while they have traditionally been public schools allies public schools are now competing with community colleges for state dollars. Also, from a local control issue, legislation is proposed to remove the geographic catchment area for community colleges which will take local control away from locally elected officials at our local community colleges.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/10/grand_rapids_community_college_57.html

The Agenda for Advocacy by the Kent County Group, Friends of Kent County

2011-10-18T14:50:00.002-04:00

Thank you from Friends of Kent County Schools!

At last evening's grassroots meeting, we developed the following goals for the 2011-12 school year:

1. Advocate for the School Aid Fund to be
used only for K-12 funding as intended

2. Lobby legislators to identify replacement
revenue for the personal property tax if
eliminated

3. Delay 2012-13 implementation of all-day
every-day kindergarten until the school
funding crisis is resolved

4. Be actively involved in the August 2012
Republican and Democratic primaries

5. Explore partnership with Michigan
Communities for Local Control (MCLC), a
grassroots organization out of the metro
Detroit area

Sincerely,

Dr. Mike Shibler, Chairperson
Friends of Kent County Schools

Charter Schools in Detroit

2011-10-18T14:49:00.003-04:00

This article discusses charters in Detroit. Money is used for marketing the charter schools. I am very glad that schools are finally courting the Detroit public school students. I just hope enough money is left over to teach them. I think each one of us needs to make a decision about public schools. We need to know how public schools have been funded, how they have been organized and how that is changing in the current legislative session. Please take the time to read these articles and decide for yourself.

Lucy

http://m.freep.com/localnews/article?a=2011110180335&f=1232

More on lifting the charter school cap and the parental trigger

2011-10-16T20:52:00.000-04:00

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/10/three_state_board_of_education.html

New State Law Linking Teacher Performance with Student Performance

2011-10-16T20:45:00.001-04:00

Will the new state law fulfill a promise of evaluating teachers fairly and providing ample and meaningful opportunities for improvement for those teachers deemed "ineffective?" Or will the evaluations be the end point instead of the starting point?

http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/10/new_law_links_teacher_performa.html

Sweeping Changes Proposed in Charter School Bill

2011-10-13T11:18:00.004-04:00

The Michigan Senate has passed a bill that would allow parents and teachers to seek authority from a university to convert a failing public school to a charter school. Will this fix poorly performing schools, or is it another move to take power away from elected school boards and unions?

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/10/state_senate_committee_approve.html

Update on Charter Legislation from MASB

2011-10-11T11:48:00.001-04:00

Senate Pops the Cap off ChartersThe Senate voted on Thursday to pass SB 618. The bill passed the full Senate 20–18, with six Republicans joining the Democrats to attempt to block the unprecedented expansion of university-authorized charters. Below are the key provisions of the legislation:
Permits authorizers to allow charter schools to operate at more than one site under one board.
Exempts charter school property from real and personal property taxes.
Deletes geographical boundaries for community college-authorized charter schools.
Removes the current 150 school cap on university-authorized charter schools.
Eliminates the number and geographical limits for urban high school academies.
Removes “Schools of Excellence” graduation rate and conversion stipulations.
Removes the requirement that a charter authorized by a local district maintain the labor agreements of that district.

The legislation did include a provision that would have allowed school districts the ability to privatize instructional staff. This was removed with a floor amendment, a move MASB supported.
MASB has constructed a list of our main issues and areas of concern with the legislation; please refer to this list when communicating with your community and members of the legislature.
Removing community college authorizing boundaries dilutes local college board oversight and is unnecessary with universities already having statewide authority.
Allowing multi-site schools under one charter contract could create a statewide school district, resulting in thousands of students with no locally elected board or citizens’ oversight.
Eliminating the cap on university-authorized charters removes the current incentive for charters to show academic success before allowing school expansion.
Eliminating the current provision that only allows additional charters in school districts that have a graduation rate of 75.5 percent or lower is counter to the argument that competition drives success. This change appears aimed at boosting charter performance by allowing chartering in an already successful district.
Exempting property leased to charter schools from property taxes will undermine the community and School Aid Fund.
Removing the requirement that authorizers limit their 3 percent oversight activities fee will allow them to co-mingle funds and result in weakened charter school monitoring and oversight and creates a financial incentive to authorize charters as a way to increase revenue.
Retaining current law requiring cyber schools to report to the state superintendent and legislature regarding student participation and performance is critical to monitor this, as of yet, unproven educational model.

Friends of Kent County Schools Meeting Thursday, October 13 at 7pm at the KISD Building, 2930 Knapp St. NE, GR, 49525 Coldwater Room

2011-10-11T11:40:00.001-04:00

Our upcoming Friends of Kent County Schools Grassroots meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kent ISD Educational Service Center in the Coldwater Room.

Dr. Mike Shibler will be discussing our 2011/2012 grassroots goals and objectives, and Bob Emerson will be giving a legislative update. Meeting Agenda.

Spread the word and bring a friend to our next meeting. We look forward to growing our grassroots network this year. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at friendsofkentcounty@gmail.com.

Privatizing Public Schools in Michigan?

2011-10-04T15:21:00.002-04:00

I never thought we would be having this conversation in Michigan. Lucy

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/10/privatization_of_michigan_publ.html

Repeat Blast Asking for you to Call your Senators About the Unfettered Expansion of Charter Schools

2011-10-04T15:09:00.002-04:00

FROM YOUR EGRPS PTA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

SENATE PLAN WOULD ALLOW UNLIMITED NUMBER OF CHARTER SCHOOLS

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR TODAY!

The Senate Education Committee approved legislation (a bundle of bills collectively called, “The Parent Empowerment and Education Reform Package”) to remove the overall cap on charter schools in the state; to create a new class of charter schools -- "conversion schools" -- which can be created at the instigation of the teachers or parents of a traditional public school; to remove limits on the number of recently-introduced "cyber schools"; and to require all school districts to accept non-resident students under "schools of choice" if they have the capacity (EGRPS already accepts schools of choice students who make up about ten percent of the total student body). Capacity is not defined, which means that Lansing could decide that all schools districts must increase classroom size to accommodate more schools of choice students. This legislation will have even more devastating economic effects on public schools and it is another assault on local control. Furthermore, it does nothing to improve education in our state. This legislation is on the fast track. Please contact your senator (for EGR residents, Senator Mark Jansen (SenMJansen@senate.michigan.gov ph.: 517-373-0797) and ask him not to support this package of bills. Tell him that in combination with the 2011-13 state budget, this legislation threatens the state's promise to provide youth with a quality education. TAKE ACTION and contact your lawmakers. If you do not know who your senator is, you can look it up at http://senate.michigan.gov/ and click on the “Find Your Senator” link on the left hand side of the page. For more information, please check www.egrpseducationadvocates.blogspot.com.

School of Choice Article Misinforms that EGRPS takes no School of Choice!

2011-10-04T14:51:00.000-04:00

I am very supportive of the Schools of Choice program. This article gave misinformation regarding EGRPS. Our school district has 10% of the student body which are Schools of Choice children.

Lucy

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/10/record_number_of_students_on_m.html

PTA Blast Action Alert on MI Senate Charter Schools Vote

2011-10-03T16:29:00.000-04:00

FROM YOUR EGRPS PTA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

SENATE PLAN WOULD ALLOW UNLIMITED NUMBER OF CHARTER SCHOOLS

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR TODAY!

Fewer Guidance Counselors in a State that is Trying to Get More Kids to College

2011-10-03T08:52:00.000-04:00

We are seeing changes happening in schools as a result of budget cuts. One of the previous articles was about the use of Lead Teachers and Interventionists (certified but daily wage teachers with no benefits) in elementary schools. This article is about the shortage of High School Guidance Counselors in a state that is trying to get more kids to college. Lucy

http://bridgemi.com/2011/09/students-left-with-little-guidance-in-high-schools/

More Competition? More Administrative Expenses!

2011-10-01T10:24:00.000-04:00

With all of the other legislation affecting local control issues (changing the schools elections to November, mandating Schools of Choice and All Day Kindergarten) as well as charter schools (under Parent Empowerment, charters under universities would be opened up and cyber schools would be encouraged) it is hard to see why additional legislation is needed to "open up" Michigan to potentially for profit national charter school companies. We see this as undermining the public schools infrastructure and locally elected school boards. We also see this as a lack of fiscal constraint because parallel administrative services would siphon off money intended to go to educating children. Lucy Lafleur

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/09/lawmakers_hope_to_lure_success.html

2011-10-01T10:16:00.001-04:00

UPDATE FROM FRIENDS OF KENT COUNTY SCHOOLS

The Senate Committee has already voted on this issue, please contact your Senator and ask them to oppose the legislation on removing the cap on charter schools when it comes to a full vote in the Senate.

Contact your Senator today!

Lead Teacher and Interventionists--Innovative or Budget Cut Result?

2011-09-30T15:20:00.001-04:00

Kentwood Schools are using a lead teacher in front of a computer for three classrooms and interventionist certified teachers with no benefits who supervise the classrooms the lead teacher is not in. Creative problem solving is good. Is this how we want to solve our budget problems? Lucy

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/09/readers_ask_if_kentwoods_pilot.html

2011-09-30T15:16:00.000-04:00

FROM FRIENDS OF KENT COUNTY SCHOOLS

SENATE PLAN WOULD ALLOW UNLIMITED NUMBER OF CHARTER SCHOOLS

Contact your Senator today!

Today, the Senate Education Committee may be voting on legislation that would be a financial disaster for school districts and an academic disaster for Michigan parents and students.

If this legislation is voted on in committee, every indication is that the Senate may try to schedule a vote on the floor soon after the committee vote.

This legislation seeks to remove the overall cap on charter schools in the state; create a new class of charter schools, "conversion schools" which can be created at the instigation of the teachers or parents of a traditional public school; remove limits on the number of recently-introduced "cyber schools"; and require school districts to accept non-resident students under "schools of choice" if they have the capacity.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT SENATORS HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THIS BILL WILL CAUSE FOR YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Please take a moment to e-mail your state legislators and encourage them to oppose these bills. Tell them that in combination with the 2011-13 state budget, this legislation threaten the state's promise to provide youth with a quality education. TAKE ACTION and contact your lawmakers.

Contact Friends of Kent County Schools

Phone: 616.240.2256

Michigan PTA Update Has a Good Summary of the Parent Empowerment Education Reform Package

2011-09-25T14:04:00.000-04:00

5 Minute Legislative Update
Michigan PTA
Committee for Children’s Advocacy
September, 2011

PTA is the oldest and largest child advocacy association in the United States . The Mission of the PTA is “To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.”

As a member, you are called to advocate for the children in our state and nation. What does it mean to advocate? Advocacy is speaking up in favor of something. In PTA, we speak up for the children of our nation.

The historical goals of PTA are:

To promote the welfare of the children and youth in home, school, community and place of worship.
To raise the standards of home life.
To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.
To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.

In that spirit, we must let our legislators in Lansing and Washington, D.C. know that we are concerned about the millions of children in our nation who live in poverty – nearly 15 million children in the United States, and nearly one of every four in Michigan.

Children are the hardest hit during a recession, and this is particularly difficult in Michigan due to our high levels of unemployment. According to Kids Count (part of Michigan League for Human Services), Michigan ranks 47^th in the country in terms of family income security.

You may have heard recently about a package of bills presented in the Michigan Legislature called the Parent Empowerment Education Reform package. Much of this package of bills addresses changes to charter school legislation.

It is important for you to be informed on issues that affect public education. Quality education is of utmost importance to our members. Following is the language of the Charter School Resolution passed by members of the Michigan PTA. This resolution addresses areas of concern to our membership:

Be it resolved, that the Michigan PTA supports legislation creating charter schools in Michigan that meets the following specific conditions:

Charter schools must conform with the same mandates and requirements as public schools;

Charter schools must not be operated for a profit; not affiliated with non-public, sectarian religious or homebased school (Public funds must not be used for private schools - Michigan PTA continuing position);

Charter schools must be open to all students regardless of sex, race, religion, ancestry, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability;

Charter schools must not charge tuition or fees which might preclude attendance and full participation by economically disadvantaged students;

Charter schools must not have any negative impact on currently existing schools;

Charter schools must be funded by new monies made available by the state. The state must continue to improve funding for existing elementary and secondary schools;

Charter schools must be subject to federal and state law which deal with health and safety, prohibit discrimination and must be subject to the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act;

A charter school charter may only be granted by a local board of education or an intermediate school district and must be accountable to the authorizing board of education. The board authorizing the charter must be responsible for all the schools it charters;

Charter school teachers must be certified in order to insure the highest standards of teaching;

Charter schools must actively advertise the opening of the school for 2 months before enrollments are accepted, using radio, television, newspaper ads, and mailings to households with potential students within a 2 mile radius of the school building.

Use your voice to speak up for the programs that help to improve the health and welfare of our children.

You can read more about child poverty and its effects at Michigan ’s Children:

www.michiganschildren.org , Kids Count Michigan : www.milhs.org/kids-count , and at the National Center for Children in Poverty: www.nccp.org

You can find contact information:

State representative at: www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/
State senator at: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysenator/fysenator.htm . U.S. Senators and Congressperson at: http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/

Michigan Parent Teacher Association
1390 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
Phone: 734-975-9500 - Fax: 734-677-2407
Web site: www.michiganpta.org

Linked Documents:

MIPTA.5 Minute Update September 2011- 092111.pdf

What is All the Fuss About the Personal Property Tax?

2011-09-25T13:41:00.000-04:00

Below is some history about this business tax reform.

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/08/another_business_tax_reform_in.html

Below is how the elimination of the personal property tax would affect schools.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/09/eliminating_michigans_personal.html

Below is how the elimination of the personal property tax will affect a manufacturing town like Muskegon.
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/09/elimination_of_personal_proper.html
Lucy

Where are the Education Cuts Going to Lead Us?

2011-09-25T13:36:00.001-04:00

Below is a guest commentary by a retired Republican Michigan House Legislator describing how cuts to education will devastate our economy. He remembers how schools were funded under Proposal A.

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/09/michigan_reinvented_for_better.html

Below is a Democratic opinion on education cuts.
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/09/why_the_war_on_michigan_teache.html

Below is the Sunday article about how few college educated adults we have in Michigan. In the past, this didn't matter with regards to income level. Up until the 1990's, we had above average income due to manufacturing jobs. We now have below average incomes due to a lack of high paying jobs that do not require degrees as well as a shortage of jobs that do require degrees, resulting in our grads are leaving the state. Charles Ballard (the MSU economist) has some suggestions at the end of the article.

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/09/michigan_lags_behind_nation_in.html

Our Budget Director Believes our Schools are Overfunded

2011-09-08T15:36:00.001-04:00

This article is our budget chief's opinion that public schools are over funded.

Lucy

http://www.legalnews.com/detroit/1030877

Have We Had Cuts for the Last Five Years or Not?!?!

2011-09-08T10:29:00.000-04:00

This article points out that our House of Representatives Education Chair does not believe we have had cuts for over 5 years. It also refers to Friends of Kent County Schools talking points. Friends is the local education advocacy group in Kent county. We will be pointing you towards their work this school year. Lucy

http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2011/08/state_rep_paul_scott_there_sim.html

Federal Impact on Schools

2011-09-08T10:26:00.002-04:00

No Child Left Behind federal legislation needs to be renewed this year. What exactly does state accreditation mean? Lucy

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/08/latest_ayp_results_show_us_why.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/08/state_educators_michigan_accre.html

Schools of Choice or Loss of Local Control?

2011-09-08T10:21:00.000-04:00

This Fee Press article is about legislation that would force all school districts to participate in schools of choice programs. While this sounds noble, it is a continuing erosion of local control by the state.

http://mee.bo/ozMXeX

Lucy

Teacher Tenure Law Passed--Now What?

2011-09-08T10:14:00.002-04:00

This article is about the changes in teacher tenure that occurred legislatively this summer.

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/08/when_michigan_tenure_reform_fu.html

Lucy

More with Less?

2011-09-08T10:13:00.003-04:00

This article summarizes some of the controversies in education that have been thrown around over the summer. Are we graduating too many teachers? If we are training all these teachers but they are moving out of state, is that the best use of our resources? How can public school districts do more with less when so much is expected of grads in order to make it in this economy? Some things to think about.

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/08/a_tough_economics_test_can_pub.html

Lucy

How is our Economy Really Doing?

2011-09-08T10:10:00.001-04:00

Since public education is directly impacted on our economy both in West Michigan and in Michigan as a whole, we need to keep up on exactly how we are doing. This article from The Center for Michigan gives an overview of all the major metropolitan areas of Michigan. It reminds us how interlinked we are, especially with Detroit. The Center for Michigan is a nonpartisan think (and do as they say in their literature) tank focused on reviving Michigan.

http://bridgemi.com/2011/09/battle-creek-lansing-ann-arbor-outpaced-grand-rapids-in-00s/

Privatizing Services

2011-09-08T10:07:00.002-04:00

This article goes over the controversial privatizing of services in public schools. Schools may be forced into this option, but there is still debate over whether it is the best choice for our schools.

http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/08/more_than_half_michigan_school.html

Lucy

These Articles Point are the Voices of the Great Divide

2011-09-08T10:05:00.001-04:00

In this article, Peter Luke interviews an education lobbyist with many years of experience in public schools.
http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/08/qa_with_david_zuhlke.html

In this article, Peter Luke interviews a Republican House Representative.
http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/08/qa_with_state_rep_bill_rogers.html

This gives a good overview of the divergent world views on public education that our state faces right now.

Lucy

Some end of the year articles.

2011-06-01T15:07:00.000-04:00

Here are some end of the year articles about the budget process. Feel free to email articles you want posted. I will periodically update the articles over the summer. It was good working with everyone this school year. Lucy

This article is regarding the law that prohibits step increases during negotiations. This was passed to little fanfare.
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/05/teacher_step_increases_retroac.html

This is a good analysis of the budget process. It is not specifically about education. In fact there is only one sentence about parents of school children.
http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/peter_luke_how_political_flip-.html

This is a good analysis of the article by the MI superintendent wishing his school children were treated as well as the typical Michigan prisoner.
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/05/julie_mack_column_does_michiga.html

This is the KISD Superintendent making the last effort to argue against using the School Aid Fund for community colleges and universities.
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/05/guest_column_transfering_schoo.html

Grassroots/Friends of Kent County Schools Meeting Thursday 7pm

2011-05-17T15:47:00.000-04:00

Meeting Reminder: Friends of Kent County Schools Grassroots Meeting

The Last Friends of Kent County

Schools Grassroots Meeting of the Year

Kent ISD - Educational Service Center
Thursday, May 19, 2011

from 7:00PM - 8:30PM

Contact Us

email: friendsofkentcounty@gmail.com

phone: 616.240.2256

Education Forum Rescheduled for Friday 5-20-11 5:30-7pm at GVSU Eberhard Downtown GR

2011-05-16T14:15:00.000-04:00

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/05/education_forum_shut_down_for.html

Media Updates While we Wait for the REvenue Conference and the Reconciliation

2011-05-16T13:19:00.000-04:00

Majority of people do not want steep cuts to public education.

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/peter_luke.html

Revenue Conference to show a surplus! How will it be used? What will happen next year with the new tax structure?

http://www.freep.com/article/20110514/NEWS06/105140388/-690-million-extra-tax-revenue-predicted-Michigan

Another look at the people's opinion on school cuts. Apparently, we oppose the cuts but we also oppose additional revenue (taxes) that would reverse the cuts.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110511/NEWS06/110511034/0/7daysarchives

Last Night's Education Forum Was Packed!

2011-05-10T12:31:00.001-04:00

Last Night's Education Forum was packed. Unfortunately, the venue was too small which left 50-100 people outside the VFW building and caused the Fire Marhsal to close the meeting. We only heard opening remarks from 4 of the 8 legislators. None of the questions was read. I saw the basket of questions. It looked like we could have been there for a long time. See the article. We need to keep up the momentum when this event is rescheduled.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/05/huge_crowd_forces_fire_marshal.html

Read This Update--Most Concerning about the School Aid Surplus

2011-05-10T12:27:00.003-04:00

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/gov_rick_snyder_finding_some_g.html

Press Release for Thursday's MI PTSA Rally in Lansing at noon

2011-05-09T14:29:00.000-04:00

Rally For Our Children!

Michigan Parents to Protest Snyder's Proposed Funding Cuts to K-12 Education and Insist on Comprehensive Anti-Bullying Legislation

Lansing, Michigan — On Thursday, May 12th, the Michigan PTA, in conjunction with Bully Police USA, will hold a Rally For Our Children! The rally will take place at noon on the steps of the Capitol Building and will focus on two pressing issues: anti-bullying legislation and funding for K-12 public education.

A coalition of Michigan parents from Michigan PTA, PTO’s and Parent Action Networks will rally to send a strong message to the Michigan Legislature – leave the school aid fund alone. In April, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder released his proposed budget that includes draconian cuts to every Michigan school district as well as large increases in mandated contributions to items like retirement funds. He also wants to raid the school aid fund to send money to community colleges and state universities. The proposed cuts will devastate our school system and force districts to make hard choices – such as eliminating arts programs and busing, laying off teachers, cutting special education programs and increasing class sizes.

Michigan school districts, most of whom made dramatic cuts last year, are struggling to find places to cut that won’t directly impact the children. The parent coalition is struggling to figure out why these large cuts are being proposed at all. If Governor Snyder left the school aid fund as it is, there would be a surplus of $130 per student, and the legislature is expected to announce an additional $500 million in revenue after their conference on May 16th. In Michigan, K-12 school districts must rely on the State to set their budget and allocate revenues, thanks to the funding structure put in place by Proposal A in 1994. That proposal prohibited districts from raising funds through millages. Districts now depend completely on the school aid fund - unlike higher education schools, who are free to raise tuitions and ask for increases through ballot initiatives. The parent groups understand the need for reform in education funding, and the tough times th e state is facing due to the economic downturn. However, attempting to drive reform through cuts doesn’t work, and is an illogical tactic that disproportionately affects our children. Our state needs to invest in our children to secure our future.

Michigan PTA, Bully Police USA and parents from across the state will also be rallying for comprehensive anti-bullying legislation. Michigan is one of only 4 states that has no anti-bullying laws.

Bullies have been around for too long and we can no longer wait to intervene. Each month over 250,000 students report being physically attacked. This is an apalling number and calls for society and government to intervene decisively.

The parent coalition is asking for support from citizens across the State of Michigan, whether you are a parent, grandparent, teacher or simply concerned for Michigan’s future. Please join us on the steps of the Capitol Building in Lansing at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12th to show your support for the children of Michigan.

Michigan PTA has over 65,000 volunteer members statewide who are part of 400 individual parent groups dedicated to the welfare of children in schools and communities. Michigan PTA has been a relevant resource for families and communities, and a champion for the education and well-being of every child for 93 years. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned about the education, health and welfare of children and youth. Additional information is available at www.michiganpta.org.

Contact Info:

Sandra York

Michigan PTA Executive Director

Office: 734-975-9500

Cell Phone: 734-657-5444

Email: sandra.york@michiganpta.org

Mary DeYoung-Smith

Michigan PTA President

248-225-0553

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michigan Parent Teacher Association

1390 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

Phone: 734-975-9500 - Fax: 734-677-2407

Web site: www.michiganpta.org

Directions to the Education Forum in Lowell for tonight, May 9

2011-05-09T14:27:00.002-04:00

Directions to the VFW in Lowell for tonight's Education Forum...take I96 east towards Lansing and go north on the Alden Nash exit. 3116 Alden Nash Ave., Lowell, MI 49331. We will meet at the Middle School Parking lot at about 4:45-4:55 to carpool.

Articles about the Historic House Cut to Schools and the Education Forum on May 9

2011-05-06T15:07:00.000-04:00

This is the article about the historic cut made in the house last night prior to having all of the information which would come from the May 16 Revenue Conference. Now both the House and Senate have passed a School Aid Fund Bill. They have to negotiate a compromise in committee prior to bringing a budget for the governor to sign. Lucy
http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/michigan_house_approves_massiv.html

Here is the article describing the Education Forum on Monday night. Post on the EGR Legislative Committee Facebook page if you are planning on going or if you need a ride. Lucy

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/05/kent_county_lawmakers_to_host.html

URGENT Kent County Education Forum Monday, May 9

2011-05-04T12:33:00.000-04:00

KENT COUNTY LEGISLATORS

INVITE YOU TO A

MICHIGAN EDUCATION FORUM

Open Discussion of Michigan's Budget Crisis, Governor Snyder's Budget Proposal, and What It All Means for Education

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011

V.F.W. Flat River Post 8303
3116 Alden Nash SE
Lowell, MI 49331
5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

Special Guest Moderator:
Suzanne Geha, Former WOOD-TV 8 Anchor

Legislative Panelists:

State Senator David Hildenbrand
State Senator Mark Jansen
State Representative David Agema
State Representative Brandon Dillon
State Representative Thomas Hooker
State Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons
State Representative Pete MacGregor
State Representative Roy Schmidt
State Representative Ken Yonker

For More Information Please Contact Jessica Scalabrino in the

Office of State Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons at 517-373-0846

Election, GR Press article and Senate Budget proposal

2011-05-04T12:30:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to our newest School Board member, Beth Milanowski and to Brian Ellis for winning his seat back. Thank you also to Mr. Rick Ostrander. We have benefitted from the dialogue that occurred because you ran. Here is a link to the article in the Grand Rapids Press about budget cuts under the current budget proposal. The House appropriations committee has essentially rubber stamped the Governor's proposal. This is poor from the perspective that each branch of government needs to check and balance the other branches. The Senate voted on their version of the budget which includes a half foundation grant for half day kindergarten. This makes sense until you realize that under Proposal A in 1994, the State of Michigan did not micromanage the foundation grants based on how much it really takes to educate each child. It costs more than the foundation grant to educate a high schooler. So, the state split the difference and paid more for kindergarten and not enough for high school, figuring the districts would know how to allocate the money. Now, there is no memory of that discussion and the legislators are feeling as though the districts are ripping off the state. Our district will lose $900,000 if this goes through. It will still lose $450,000 if the kindergarten program is boosted to whole day due to expenses related to that. High school will suffer. Although the foundation cut is less in the Senate budget, this kindergarten thing will be worse. Lucy

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/04/east_grand_rapids_schools_look_1.html

Grassroots/Friends of Kent County Schools Update

2011-04-21T14:23:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone! I went to the Friends of Kent County/Grassroots meeting yesterday. Bob Emerson was there. He was a Genesee County legislator for 20 years and one of the people to draft Proposal A. they didn't put specific language about K-12 education in it. It was implied. His concern was that there is no collective memory of that struggle and why Proposal A was constructed. 65 of the 110 House legislators are brand new. 30 are in their second term. Only 15 are in their third term. They are all rookies.

He was also the budget director last spring when the barrier was breached and $200 million was "borrowed" from the School Aid Fund. So, now we have this mess.

He also mentioned that $200 million being taken out of the School Aid Fund is being placed in the fund responsible for State worker retirement workers. This retirement fund is $13 billion underfunded. $200 million is a drop in the bucket. Mr. Emerson stated that this is not the time to be funding the retirement liability of state workers when there is a crisis. Also, he pointed out that the public school employee retirement fund is also underfunded and nothing has been put there.

Both the state and house subcommittees on education appropriation have pushed their bills out of committee. The Senate version goes back to cutting the foundation grant to half for half day kindergarten. This is an old one. Again, the people who crafted Proposal A knew that it costs a different amount to educate children at different ages. they gave one grant for all kids figuring that the school districts would use the money wisely. It simply costs more to educate a high school kid than a kindergartener whether half or full day. We strongly disagree with cutting kindergarten funding. The House version contains a provision for a percentage cut to schools rather than a dollar amount which would be more complicated, but possibly more fair, especially to small and poor districts.

The full House and Senate have to vote on each of their bills. Then, each house brings their version to Committee where the House and Senate have to compromise. There is still time to have an impact. We are working with the school board and administration to organize the petitions and figure out the best way to share them with the legislators and the governor. Let me know if you have any ideas. Keep sending your letters and making your phone calls. They are making a difference, but we can't let up!

Please consider going to the Budget Town Hall Meeting being put on by www.thecenterformichigan.net.

Grassroots/Frineds of Kent County Schools Meeting Wednesday April 20 at 7PM

2011-04-18T21:49:00.000-04:00

Let's learn about the county wide efforts to address the severe budget cuts and the misuse of the School Aid Fund!--Lucy

Grassroots/Friends of Kent County Schools

Wednesday, April 20 · 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Location Kent ISD - Educational Service Center
2930 Knapp St, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

From Michigan PTSA

2011-04-18T21:44:00.000-04:00

April 17, 2011

Dear Advocate,

The children of this state really need your help!

We are facing the largest cut EVER to education in Michigan, and your voice needs to be heard in this fight.

If you have children in school, their ability to compete for jobs and college admissions is being compromised by what the Governor is proposing. They will not have the advantages that their peers in other states, countries, and even their peers in Michigan who graduated a year or two ahead of them enjoy.

And that's just not fair.
To them, to you, and to the future of this struggling state.

If you don't have children in school, your community, property values and neighbors will suffer.
Already school districts in every corner of the state are making plans to increase class size, eliminate busing and support services, close schools and eliminate programs.

It's time for all of us to band together NOW!

It’s been reported that the House may be voting on the School Aid budget very soon (possibly this week).
Here's what I need for you to do:
You must CALL your state representative NOW and urge him/her to reject the governor’s proposal and CAREFULLY consider other alternatives through additional public hearings.

You must let them know that these cuts are unacceptable and that you are counting on them to stop these cuts.

To find the phone number for your Representatives, use this link:

http://capwiz.com/masb/callalert/index.tt?alertid=41443501

Again, thank you for your continued advocacy efforts!

Kevin McLogan

Vice President for Children's Advocacy
Michigan Parent Teacher Association
1390 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
Phone: 734-975-9500 - Fax: 734-677-2407

Web site: www.michiganpta.org

EGRPS School Board Candidate Forum

2011-04-18T21:34:00.000-04:00

The Tuesday night Candidate forum for EGRPS School Board is 7pm in the EGRPS High School Little Auditorium. Come and hear what the candidates have to say about our schools!

Lucy

Local Education Town Hall Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday April 19 at 6pm

2011-04-18T21:32:00.000-04:00

Senate Democratic Leader Whitmer, Representative Dillon to Hold Grand Rapids Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Budget Impacts on Community

Governor Invited to Attend to Hear Concerns of Everyday Citizens

Lansing – Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) and State Representative Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) will be hosting a Town Hall meeting in Grand Rapids tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. at Burton Elementary School in Grand Rapids. The meeting will give local residents an opportunity to share their concerns about the impacts Governor Snyder’s budget proposals would have within their community.

In the spirit of bipartisanship and open dialog, the Senator Whitmer has extended an invitation to Governor Snyder to either personally participate in the event or have a representative from his administration attend on his behalf so that he can hear directly from the people his budget would impact.

WHAT:Town Hall meeting to discuss Budget Impacts

WHO: Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer

State Representative Brandon Dillon

Kent County Commissioner Carol Hennessy

Thomas Czerwinski, Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan

Senita Lenear, President of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education

WHEN: TOMORROW, Tuesday, April 19, at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Burton Elementary School, 2133 Buchanan Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

Video from the public hearing on cuts

2011-04-14T12:10:00.000-04:00

http://www.fightschoolcuts.com/

This video features Brian Ellis, EGRPS School Board President and Kevin Phillips, Asst. Superintendent of Business reporting on the number of cuts absorbed in our budget over the last several years. It is worth looking at.

Lucy

Center for Michgian is holding a Town Hall in Grand Rapids on 4-25-11

2011-04-14T11:59:00.000-04:00

This is from the Center for Michigan website, http://www.centerformichgian.net/. This is a nonprofit organization interested in reiventing Michigan. I copied the page onto the blog, but you have to go to their website to register.
Lucy

Center visiting Wixom, GR, Lansing

By The Center for Michigan
Published: April 14, 2011

Gov. Rick Snyder and Republican leaders in the Legislature say they have a deal on taxes. Legislative appropriation panels are working their way through budget bills. The wheels are turning in the State Capitol, but is Michigan government on the road you prefer?

The Center for Michigan and partners MiVote.org and Detroit Public Television continue a spring series of townhalls — “Common Sense Conversations” — on Michigan’s tax and budget choices with late April stops in Wixom, Grand Rapids and Lansing.

Our “clicker” technology allows participants to vote on priorities for the state’s future and instantly compare their personal preferences to the group as a whole. Open discussion gives everybody a chance to have their say and “Talk Back to Lansing.” Information collected at these sessions is used by the Center to inform Lansing leaders on what voters are thinking. Be part of the conversation.

REGISTER TODAY for the Common Sense Conversation in Wixom on Wednesday, April 20.

Register for Grand Rapids on Monday, April 25.

Register for Lansing on Wednesday, April 27.

A couple more sample letters...find the email addresses on the link side bar

2011-04-14T11:53:00.002-04:00

Dear Ms. Posthumus Lyons—

I understand that the budget bill is coming out of committee and soon the House will vote on the budget, including the School Aid Fund. I want to let you know that I support the notion that Proposal A was passed by Michigan voters in 1994 as a way to fund K-12 schools. When the state took over funding schools, it brought property tax relief and a more equitable funding source to schools. The big flaw in Proposal A was that the pot of money for schools would not keep up when times were tough. Well, during this severe economic downturn, the School Aid Fund was well funded enough to provide for schools this year and next year without cuts. Last year, the legislature borrowed money from the School Aid Fund for other parts of the state budget. This year, that pot of money was so attractive, that the higher education budget was placed in it. While I am supportive of all education, higher education can still raise money through millages for operating dollars and through tuition. Placing higher education in the School Aid Fund obliterates Proposal A and the voters’ wishes. Fix Proposal A or remove higher education from that revenue pot. The schools have had zero gain or cuts for the last seven years. The schools will have to eliminate essential programs that support my kids if these cuts go through. Please vote against the governor’s budget proposal.

Sincerely,

Dear Senator Jansen—

I understand that the Senate is working hard on alternative budget proposals for the State of Michigan. I support your careful review of these issues. I am writing to you today to tell you that I support the notion that Proposal A was passed by Michigan voters in 1994 as a way to fund K-12 schools. When the state took over funding schools, it brought property tax relief and a more equitable funding source to schools. The big flaw in Proposal A was that the pot of money for schools would not keep up when times were tough. Well, during this severe economic downturn, the School Aid Fund was well funded enough to provide for schools this year and next year without cuts. Last year, the legislature borrowed money from the School Aid Fund for other parts of the state budget. This year, that pot of money was so attractive, that the higher education budget was placed in it. While I am supportive of all education, higher education can still raise money through millages for operating dollars and through tuition. Placing higher education in the School Aid Fund obliterates Proposal A and the voters’ wishes. Fix Proposal A or remove higher education from that revenue pot. The schools have had zero gain or cuts for the last seven years. The schools will have to eliminate essential programs that support my kids if these cuts go through. Please vote against the governor’s budget proposal.

Sincerely,

Wednesday April 20 Friends of kent County Schools Meeting

2011-04-14T11:40:00.000-04:00

Friends of Kent County Schools Meeting Reminder

The next Friends of Kent County
Grassroots Meeting
Kent ISD - Educational Service Center

Wednesday, April 20, 2011
from 7:00PM - 8:30PM

Please join us....
Our featured speaker will be the former State Budget Director Robert Emerson. As a former state representative and senator, Mr. Emerson has more than three decades of state government experience and was one of the state leaders who helped develop the Proposal A constitutional amendment to fund K-12 education. Mr. Emerson will provide his perspective on the current school funding situation, the impact of funding higher education through the school aid fund, and options for the future.

Meeting with State Rep. Lyons in Lowell

2011-04-11T20:35:00.002-04:00

Elizabeth Lykins, Tina Murua, Melissa Janes and I met with Rep. Lyons today. We were able to share our concern that the 4% cut (as she kept stating the severe cuts proposed to school funding) would be made up with a 20% contribution by teachers to health insurance. We explained that even if this salary cut for teachers goes through, this makes only half of the $1.5 million deficit for next year. Ms. Lyons was needing some language from the original Proposal A language and we were able to show her the language in the letter from EGPRS which has the Prop A language. Elizabeth and Tina were able to ask a strategic question. If placing community colleges and universities in the School Aid Fund is legal under proposal A, then the millages that community colleges have asked for and voters have passed to provide operating dollars must be illegal. If those millages were legal, then it is illegal to place community colleges and universities in the School Aid Fund. Ms. Lyons furiously wrote down this argument and plans to take it with her to Lansing. Ms. Lyons acknowledged that education is important and listened to our stories about our schools. Please continue to call our legislators about your stories.

State Rep. Lisa Lyons Constituent meeting time 4-11-11 iun Lowell 3-4:30pm

2011-04-10T21:17:00.002-04:00

Let me know if you are interested in bringing our message directly to Ms. Lyons at the kaiser Kitchen, 700 E. Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. We will be carpooling from Lakeside Elementary, leaving at 2:30pm, planning on returning about 4:30pm.

Petitions

2011-04-10T21:16:00.000-04:00

Petitions are due at the end of this week. If you haven't signed yet or you want ot turn some petitions, Legislative Committee will be at Gaslight Starbucks with petitions on Wed and Thu, 4-13 and 14 from 7:30-9am and from 4-5:30pm for commuters.

Please let anyone on the Legislative Committee know of any parent meeting for any group you belong to that is happening this week! lucylafleur@sbcglobal.net

May 12 Advocacy Day

2011-04-10T21:13:00.002-04:00

Michigan PTSA will have a rally at the Capitol on our Advocacy Day, May 12. There are other groups who will be supporting and attending this rally, including MASB and SOS. Michigan PTSA has also been working with a coalition to have a statewide Teach-In to address what the proposed budget means in communities across Michigan.

EGRPS Legislative Committee has a small budget to either send or subsidize attendees. Let me know if you are interested. lucylafleur@sbcglobal.net

Appropriations K-12 Subcommittee Hearing Tomorrow in Lansing

2011-03-29T15:27:00.002-04:00

BREAKING NEWS! CALL TO ACTION!

Appropriations K-12 Subcommittee Hearing Tomorrow in Lansing

Keep the pressure on!

Democratic members of the K-12 School Aid Subcommittee have pushed to make sure that even when there was resistance to allowing public testimony on the potential cuts to schools, citizens have a chance to speak their mind. While we've heard from many concerned administrators, superintendents, educators, parents, students, school advocates, we need to make sure every single person has a chance to tell their story. I want to personally thank each and every person who has taken time from their lives to drive to Lansing and advocate for our state's children. I also want to express my regrets at how, every week, the Appropriations K-12 Subcommittee has consistently "ran out of time" to allow every voice to be heard.

We've just been notified this morning the K-12 Subcommittee has called an additional meeting to hear additional public testimony tomorrow.

Tuesday, March 30 at 2pm

Capitol Building, Room 352 (House Appropriations Room)

Lansing, Michigan

Due to the short notice of this meeting I am counting on your assistance to spread the word to other advocates. Please forward this message to your contacts, as this is an important effort in taking a stand against these unnecessary cuts. I encourage you to please forward this invitation to your school contacts, be they officials, administrators, teachers, parents, students, PTA members, coaches, club advisors.

The budget proposed by Governor Snyder will devastate our schools:

· $700 to $1000 per pupil reductions

· Raids the School Aid Fund for K-12 to cover up Higher Education/Community Colleges cuts

· The potential for further ballooning of class sizes, outdated textbooks and technology, elimination of extracurricular activities and slashing of essential transportation services.

· Raids the School Aid Fund for K-12 to cover up Higher Education/Community Colleges cuts

Cutting education this deep will hurt our children's ability to get into college or compete for good-paying jobs. It will rob our state of the highly qualified workforce needed to attract job providers to Michigan. It will devastate Michigan's economic recovery. We can't allow the budget to be balanced on the backs of our children.

There is a new website at www.fightschoolcuts.com that contains an interactive map to look up any school district in Michigan and see how these cuts impact your community. You can also sign the online petition to oppose Governor Snyder's plan.

Your involvement will provide REAL feedback in the following ways:

· Acknowledging ongoing cost-saving measures already occurring

· Providing perspective from local school community members that will be impacted

· Speaking to the changes that SHOULD be happening instead of "just cutting" budgets

If you are able to attend and have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at (888) DIST-027 toll free. If you are unable to attend but wish to submit your written testimony, please email your concerns to Ellenlipton@house.mi.gov .

Committee 101 Basics:

Arrive early, testimony is on a first come first serve basis

Fill out a committee card to let them know you would like to testify

A written copy of your testimony is preferred, but not required, in addition to your public comments. Please bring 15 copies of your testimony.

Before you leave please check the Committee schedule to assure no last minute changes have been made at:

http://www.house.mi.gov/publiccommitteeschedule/

You may use these helpful links to locate parking in downtown Lansing: http://housenet.mihouse.mi.gov/NewMemberPages/images/DowntownLansingMap.gif

http://housenet.mihouse.mi.gov/NewMemberPages/PDFs/downtown_map.pdf

Let's Meet Rep Lyons on April 11 in Lowell!

2011-03-28T09:46:00.000-04:00

State Representative Lisa Lyons is meeting with constituents at a restaurant on Monday, April 11, 2011 between 3-4:30pm. The restaurant is Keisers Kitchen, 700 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. I am thinking we need to have a field trip to let our Representative know how we feel about the propsoed budget cuts.

From Michigan PTSA Advocacy Chair, Kevin McLogan

2011-03-27T16:10:00.000-04:00

March, 25, 2011

Again, I am calling on all of the advocates for education across the state to rise up and take action!

If you have done so already, THANKYOU! But that doesn’t mean that you can’t take another crack at it. If not, here is a great opportunity for you to make a difference.

Call your representatives and senators and let them know that raiding the K-12 School Aid Fund for purposes other than K-12 public education and the slashing of support for our children is unacceptable and will not be tolerated!

Go to http://capwiz.com/npta2/mi/home/ where I have created a simple form that will help you craft an email that you can personalize with your own story about what these cuts mean to you. The Action Alert will remain up until April 15th, but I need you to act now!

This time, I need you to include some examples of how these proposed cuts will impact your children and your community. Including your own personal story is very powerful. If you are at a loss as to what this means, talk to your School Board Trustees, Superintendents and Principals for some ideas about what will be missing from our children's experience if these cuts come to pass.

I am counting on YOU to take action TODAY! The future of our schools, children and communities will be badly impacted if these cuts are allowed to take place.

As always,
Happy Advocating!
Kevin McLogan
Vice President for Children’s Advocacy
248-259-3593
kevinmclogan@yahoo.com

P.S. — Don't forget to save the date for Advocacy Day – Thursday May 12th at the Radisson in Lansing ! I am looking forward to an excellent Advocacy Day, and hope that YOU will make a commitment to attend!

Next Grassroots/Friends of Kent County Meeting

2011-03-27T14:48:00.000-04:00

Reminder:The next Friends of Kent County Schools Grassroots Meeting

The March 24th meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Kent ISD - Educational Center
from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Contact Us
email: friendsofkentcounty@gmail.com
phone: 616.240.2256

Without your call to Lansing, you approve the cuts!!

2011-03-22T14:49:00.001-04:00

855-596-6786 toll free House Rep Lisa Lyons 517-373-0797 not toll free State Senator Mark Jansen

On top of writing your emails, signing the petitions, please call our legislators and let them know that you know about the massive cuts that are looming in the EGRPS if Governor Snyder's proposed cuts go through. We have a reliable source in Lansing that said that they never heard from parents during the last round of cuts and figured that they were giving approval of the cuts. Let's get those phones ringing!!

Please call and tell them that your child has benefitted from the media centers which are slated to close. Schools with no libraries? Let them know that your child benefitted from Reading Recovery. My child used those services and it benefitted him that school year and ever since. Let them know that your child is in the swim program and that the whole community will be poorer for closing the high school pool. Tell your story based on why you came to this community for the schools. Let them know if you were recruited to Grand Rapids for a job and that you settled into a community based on the quality of the school district. Make the economic argument. Just call!

Our Strategy

2011-03-22T14:43:00.000-04:00

I am outlining the strategy that the EGRPS PTSA Legislative Commitee is using in activating our community to address the massive cuts proposed in Governor Snyder's budget.

1. We are asking all parents and community members in East Grand Rapids to read the letters that the EGRPS School Board and Administration have written. There are two letters. One is to the community outlining the general history of the funding problem, the limitations placed upon the district by Proposal A and the state funding of public education and the call to speak to our legislators. The second letter is the very detailed letter to the legislators which outlines our district's case regarding past cuts and future cuts under this plan.

2. We are asking for three forms of action from all parents and community members in East Grand Rapids. First, email our legislators. Example letters are on this blog below. Second, call our legislators. (Toll free)855-596-6786 House Rep Lisa Posthumus Lyons, 517-373-0797 State Senator Mark Jansen. Let the legislators know that your child benefitted from the swimming programs here and that you can't stand the idea of the pool closing. Let them know that the theater program benefits your child academically, socially and spiritually and the closing of the PAC or defunding the director of the PAC will be devastating. Let them know if your child benefitted from Reading Recovery and Spanish in elementary school.

Third, sign onto the petitions that are circulating at all school events.

3. We are meeting with other Kent County school districts through the Grassroots/Friends of Kent County Schools in order to encourage other school districts to take a similiar action in setting out what the cuts will do to their district and call their parents to action.

4. We are asking anyone who has contact with any other state legislator through personal contact or history of donations to contact him or her and inform that person about our dire situation in public education.

5. Write a letter to the editor of the Grand Rapids Press stating what programs you see on the chopping block and let everyone know that you will not stand for it. If your child has benefitted from Reading Recovery or you know your elelmentary child benefittted from the para-pros, please speak about it.

Sample Letters for our State Representative and Senator

2011-03-11T15:57:00.000-05:00

mailto:LisaLyons@house.mi.gov
Dear Ms. Lyons,

I found out today that the School Aid Fund is now responsible for community colleges and universities as well as public K-12 education. While I am an advocate for education, I believe that this transfer of responsibility ignores the intention of the voters who passed Proposal A in 1994 to secure funding for K-12 education. I found out that with this transfer, public K-12 education will receive a $300 million cut which translates into a $300 per student cut. This is unacceptable. The Governor asked for shared sacrifice. With the number of cuts this year and last, public education has taken more than its share of cuts and sacrifice. Please use your position as a member of the State House representing me and save the integrity of K-12 public education.

Sincerely,

http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/senators/contact.asp?District=28

Dear Senator Jansen,

I found out today that the School Aid Fund is now responsible for community colleges and universities as well as public K-12 education. While I am an advocate for education, I believe that this transfer of responsibility ignores the intention of the voters who passed Proposal A in 1994 to secure funding for K-12 education. I found out that with this transfer, public K-12 education will receive a $300 million cut which translates into a $300 per student cut. This is unacceptable. The Governor asked for shared sacrifice. With the number of cuts this year and last, public education has taken more than its share of cuts. Please use your position as a member of the State House representing me and save the integrity of K-12 public education.

Sincerely,

Legislative Action Alert

2011-03-11T15:49:00.002-05:00

LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT

EGR PTSA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

URGENT!!!!!

The Problem: The public schools learned last week that our budget for next year will be cut by $2,000,000. Considering last years cuts (which we hoped would be restored) and the new cuts, EGR will receive $400 less per child. This translated into close to $2,000,000 in cuts that will have to be made. This is in addition to the $3,500,000 in cuts we have already made the last 5 years. The new cuts could impact all support programs, foreign language, and anything extracurricular in our district. It will also involve elimination of teachers. The face of public education will change dramatically.

The History: Schools in Michigan are funded through Proposal A, a Constitutional ballot proposal that was passed in 1994. This fund pools all property tax dollars, sales tax dollars, and lottery funds into a “pot” called the School Aid Fund. Since 1994, that pot is then divided up among students in the state. In the past 7 years, with declining property and sales tax revenues, the fund has significantly decreased. Despite this decrease, our school district has made adjustments by asking teachers/staff to contribute more and by making significant cuts to very successful programs. So far, we have protected the majority of students and kept the cuts away from the classroom. Our teachers have had to do more with less. We have indeed “shared in the sacrifice” just by how schools are funded. Proposition A does not allow us to ask you, the citizens of EGR, for more money to operate our schools. Our hands are tied completely by the funding the State tells us we get each year.

The Budget: We were relieved to find out that the pot of money for schools was stabilizing. The schools have lived through tremendous hardship the last several years. It was a huge relief when we found out that the School Aid Fund had a surplus and that we no longer would have to cut and cut more. It was beyond shocking to find out that the voter-approved Proposition A “pot of money” for K-12 education is now going to include Community College and Higher Education Funding. With this addition, our funding is cut DRAMATICALLY almost overnight. This additionally does not take into account the state-mandated retirement contribution rate, which under the Governor’s proposal, jumps MASSIVELY. Taking that into account, the cuts come out to more like $700 per student.

The Call to Action: This is a pivotal moment in the history of public education in our state. Either we are committed to educating our children and ensuring a strong economic future for our State, or we are headed the way of states in other parts of the country that long ago abandoned public education. EGR has a long and proud history of excellence. It will be extraordinarily difficult to continue that with the proposed budget impact. We need ALL HANDS ON DECK.

1. Every parent should contact our State Representative and Senator.

2. The School Board is sending a letter to all important elected officials in Lansing. We will be asking parents and the community at large for signatures to support this letter. The letter makes several recommendations. We support the goal of taking higher ed out of the School Aid Fund. We support the goal of retirement reform. We support the goal of properly funding public schools.

Thank you for your time and investment in our children. Contact your building representative if you need further help or have any questions. Check out www.egrpseducationadvocates.blogspot.com for more (and ongoing) information as well as sample letters. We are also on Facebook (EGR Legislative Committee).

Your PTSA Legislative Committee

Building Representatives:

Lucy LaFleur (Chair), Middle School

Anne Grobel, Breton Elementary

Elizabeth Lykins, Wealthy Elementary

Ann Pater-Beeny, Lakeside Elementary

David Bair, High School

Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons

S-1190 House Office Building

PO Box 30014

Lansing, MI 48909

Toll Free 855.596.6786

LisaLyons@house.mi.gov

Senator Mark Jansen

S-310 Capitol Building

PO Box 30036

Lansing, MI 48909

517.373.0797

Email Link:

http://www.senate.michigan.gov/ima_form.asp?name=COMMENT28&form_path=e:/webforms/rep

Maybe Most Adults are not for Cutting K-12 Schools

2011-03-09T11:36:00.002-05:00

http://www.freep.com/article/20110304/NEWS15/103040445/Poll-Michigan-voters-cool-Gov-Snyder-K-12-cut?odyssey=tab

topnews
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FRONTPAGE

Now is the Time to Get Upset

2011-03-01T20:49:00.000-05:00

Hello from Your PTA Legislative Committee--

The time is now to contact your legislators regarding the governor's proposed budget. At the Middle School PTA Meeting on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, both Dr. Shubel and School Board President Brian Ellis stated that now is the time to get upset. They report developing a plan to address this extraordinary cut in funding, but their plan will fail if we, as parents, do not take action.

The current cut to public education includes this year's $170 per student cut which will not be replaced, a $300 cut for next school year which combined will be a $470 cut per student from last year's level. Not included in this cut is the rising cost of the retirement rate which is the percentage of every salary dollar that is spent on today's teachers which goes to retirees. This year, the rate jumped to over 20% and will be 24% next year which amounts to another several hundred dollar cut per child. EGRPS has no control over the retirement rate.

In order for the school district to cope with these cuts, drastic cuts to our high achieving school district will have to be made. We will not be able to keep our programs which allow our children to excel. This is a dire time.

Please log onto www.egrpseducationadvocates.blogspot.com to find templates for contacting the Governor Snyder, our new State House Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons and our State Senator Mark Jansen.

Thank you for your concern and your time.

Lucy Lafleur, Chair EGRPS Legislative Committee

An Open Letter from Elizabeth Lykins, Wealthy Schools PTSA Leg. Committee Liaison

2011-03-01T20:33:00.000-05:00

Friends: Many of you have heard about the proposed budget cuts to our schools. We are looking at a cut of $470 per child in EGR (others of you in larger districts are looking at even larger cuts). This translates to about $2,000,000 in additional cuts to EGR. EGR has already cut over $3,000,000 from its budget the last 8 years (1.5 million just last year of a 28 million dollar budget). Many of you know this since some excellent programs and staff were cut that directly impacted your child’s education. That said, we are lean and have still remained very competitive on a statewide and national level. But I can assure you, we will not remain this way with the draconian cuts being proposed. There is simply no way to preserve our standards of excellence without sacrificing, severely, the education our kids will receive in the classroom. Teachers will have to be let go. Class sizes will get larger---much larger (Detroit Public Schools is predicting 60 children to a class due to the impact on their budget).

The problems are structural: In 1994, we passed Proposition A, which significantly lowered our property taxes but also hampered our ability to pass local millages for our schools. Thus, since 1994, your property taxes, some sales tax dollars, and some lottery funds have gone into a fund in Lansing which is then divided up among all the students in the state. Since our education dollars are tied to the value of our homes and sales tax (both which have declined significantly over the last decade), the schools in Michigan have been in cutting mode for many years. You have not paid any additional taxes for your local schools since 1994 (unless tied to a millage for capital---ie buildings). The only increases have been to your property taxes---and for most of us, those have gone down. The school districts have done more with less and been incredibly fiscally responsible. Those of us sitting in on budget meetings and watching from the inside know how hard our teachers and administration have worked to make this happen. The cuts cannot continue. It will devastate public education as we know it.

This is a call to action for all of you. This is your wake-up call if you have not been paying attention to this issue. This is not just someone else’s problem. It is every parent of a public school child’s problem. In fact, it should be everyone’s problem since public education is an important component of a thriving democracy and a thriving economy. Just when we all have heard over and over again that education is the ticket to the future and our only way of competing in a global economy, it is being severely cut. Not just cut---but decimated. I honestly shudder to think of the decisions that will have to be made after years and years of cuts cuts cuts. There is nothing left to cut.

I am not prepared to concede on this; it is far too important. Michigan has a proud history of excellence in public education. Please join me in sending a message to our elected leaders that we would like to keep it that way. We have a small window of time. If you do not act, then don’t complain later.

Things you can do:

1. Join the EGR Legislative Committee Facebook Group so you can receive regular updates on this critical issue.

2. Check out our EGR Legislative Committee blog for updates.

http://egrpseducationadvocates.blogspot.com/

3. Write or email your State Representative and State Senator: Tell them that they campaigned on the promise that education is important but that this proposed budget sends the opposite message. Tell them that you will hold them accountable. Tell them that the funding levels proposed by the Governor are wholly inadequate and will decimate our schools at a time when we need them to be competitive with the rest of the world (and the rest of the world is investing heavily in education). Please do this. Everyone thinks “someone else will do it” but we all need to take a minute and do this! Even if you just need to call and leave a voicemail, please do so. Our electeds have got to hear from you.

State Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons

lisalyons@house.mi.govmailto:lisalyons@house.mi.gov

Mailing Address: PO Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909
Toll Free Phone: 855.596.6786

State Senator Mark Jansen
http://www.senate.michigan.gov/ima_form.asp?name=COMMENT28&form_path=e:/webforms/rep
Mailing Address: PO Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Phone: 517.373.0797

Other area reps and senators for those of you live outside East Grand Rapids:
http://www.house.michigan.gov/replist.asp
http://www.senate.michigan.gov/members/alphamemberlist.htm

Sample letters for those of you who want some guidance:

Dear Ms. Lyons,

I found out today that the School Aid Fund is now responsible for community colleges and universities as well as public K-12 education. While I am an advocate for education, I believe that this transfer of responsibility ignores the intention of the voters who passed Proposal A in 1994 to secure funding for K-12 education. I found out that with this transfer, public K-12 education will receive a $300 million cut which translates into a $300 per student cut. This is unacceptable. The Governor asked for shared sacrifice. With the number of cuts this year and last, public education has taken more than its share of cuts and sacrifice. Please use your position as a member of the State House representing me and save the integrity of K-12 public education.

Sincerely,

Dear Senator Jansen,

I found out today that the School Aid Fund is now responsible for community colleges and universities as well as public K-12 education. While I am an advocate for education, I believe that this transfer of responsibility ignores the intention of the voters who passed Proposal A in 1994 to secure funding for K-12 education. I found out that with this transfer, public K-12 education will receive a $300 million cut which translates into a $300 per student cut. This is unacceptable. The Governor asked for shared sacrifice. With the number of cuts this year and last, public education has taken more than its share of cuts. Please use your position as a member of the State House representing me and save the integrity of K-12 public education.

Sincerely,

Thanks so much for your time and feel free to contact me if you have any questions related to funding.

From Friends of Kent County Schools (Grassroots)

2011-02-22T08:45:00.000-05:00

There currently exists an estimated $600 million "surplus" in the School Aid Fund (SAF). The Governor's proposed budget allocates $196 million to community colleges and $700 million to universities-both out of the SAF, but because the SAF is $300 million short of that combined number, the Governor is reducing K-12 funding for 2011-12 by $300 million!

Keep in mind that community colleges and universities have the means to increase operational revenue through tuition and fees. Public schools do not.

See the Friends of Kent County Schools link on this page.

Deep Cuts=End of Any Local Control?

2011-02-21T20:09:00.000-05:00

Facing deep cuts, will schools innovate or fight for status quo?

Published: Friday, February 18, 2011, 7:37 AM Updated: Friday, February 18, 2011, 7:30 PM
By Dave Murray
The Grand Rapids Press
www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/02/facing_deep_cuts_will_schools.html

In this article published last Friday, writer Dave Murray states that schools "should have known" that the structural deficit was looming. He substantiates this opinion by pointing out that the Grand Rapids Press funded a study last summer by Michigan State University to investigate the number of school districts (more than 500) in the State of Michigan and that we would save a lot of money if we consolidated school districts. While this may be true, please remember that each and every school district is represented by an elected school board whose members are chosen by the community to steer the school district financially, academically and within the social norms of that community. These boards have had much control taken away from them since Proposal A has taken much of the funding out of local hands. Even so, I don't think many of the school boards are going to spontaneously go out of business. I am not sure what the legal implications would be if they tried to do that.

While I want to thank The Grand Rapids Press for this information, I feel that if the State of Michigan wants to make drastic changes to the last bit of local control provided by communities over local education issues, then this needs to come from the Governor or the Legislature. So far, it seems that the only thing coming out of Lansing is a starvation budget which is going to decimate schools as they are organized today. I guess this is a matter of "tearing it down" before "building it back up." I am worried about my children's education while this experimental reinvention is going on. What is this going to look like? How are children going to be affected?

Lucy Lafleur

What Can We Do?

2011-02-17T21:30:00.001-05:00

Let's contact our legislators today. The emails are next to this post. Your State House Representative is Lisa Lyons. Your State Senator is Mark Jansen. Thank you!!

Dear Ms. Lyons,

I found out today that the School Aid Fund is now responsible for community colleges and universities as well as public K-12 education. While I am an advocate for education, I believe that this transfer of responsibility ignores the intention of the voters who passed Proposal A in 1994 to secure funding for K-12 education. I found out that with this transfer, public K-12 education will receive a $300 million cut which translates into a $300 per student cut. Taken with the cuts from this year, this totals a $470 per student cut. This is unacceptable. The Governor asked for shared sacrifice. With the number of cuts this year and last, public education has taken more than its share of cuts and sacrifice. Please use your position as a member of the State House representing me and save the integrity of K-12 public education.

Sincerely,

Dear Senator Jansen,

I found out today that the School Aid Fund is now responsible for community colleges and universities as well as public K-12 education. While I am an advocate for education, I believe that this transfer of responsibility ignores the intention of the voters who passed Proposal A in 1994 to secure funding for K-12 education. I found out that with this transfer, public K-12 education will receive a $300 million cut which translates into a $300 per student cut. Taken with the cuts from this school year, it is a $470 per student cut. This is unacceptable. The Governor asked for shared sacrifice. With the number of cuts this year and last, public education has taken more than its share of cuts. Please use your position as a member of the State House representing me and save the integrity of K-12 public education.

Sincerely,

Also let Governor Snyder know that you do not support his new budget proposal.

Dear Governor Snyder--

I found out today that the School Aid Fund is now responsible for community colleges and universities as well as public K-12 education. While I am an advocate for education, I believe that this transfer of responsibility ignores the intention of the voters who passed Proposal A in 1994 to secure funding for K-12 education. I found out that with this transfer, public K-12 education will receive a $300 million cut which translates into a $300 per student cut. Taken with the cuts from this school year, it is a $470 per student cut. This is unacceptable. The Governor asked for shared sacrifice. With the number of cuts this year and last, public education has taken more than its share of cuts. Please use your position as a member of the State House representing me and save the integrity of K-12 public education.

Sincerely,

Governor Snyder Talks of Shared Pain

2011-02-17T21:13:00.000-05:00

Governor Snyder speaks of a shared pain in balancing the budget, but it seems that the burden of cuts is affecting children, especially public school children. If you are interested in what children from less advantaged households will be suffering, please check the Michigan League for Human Services website for information on how poor children will be affected by these cuts. We need to be made aware that while our children in East Grand Rapids will be suffering from these cuts, children in surrounding communities whose families were getting by will be pushed into poverty and all of the problems that go along with that. www.milhs.org/winners-losers-in-budget

Lucy

Why is the Retirement Percentage so Important?

2011-02-17T21:08:00.000-05:00

I have been sitting in Legislative Committee meetings for four years now and the retirement percentage comes up regularly. I believe I understand it now enough to explain it to others. Under the 1963 constitution when the school aid fund was established and again under Proposal A of 1994, it stated that school districts would be responsible to pay for their employees retirement. This sounds reasonable. The individual school districts are not responsible for their own retirees, however, they receive a percentage from the state that tells them what percentage of every dollar in salary and benefits paid to today's staff have to go to the state pool of retirees. In the early 2000's the percentage was close to 10-12%. This year, it was estimated to be 19.5% but then in October was recalculated to 21.06%. This is a huge amount of money that is calculated to go up for next year to 24-27% of every salary/benefit dollar spent. This is another cut in funding for today's teachers to teach today's students.

Lucy