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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
December 12, 2006

Contents of this issue:
  • Thirteen districts have budget surpluses
  • Districts could save money with private energy consultant
  • Parents, MDE concerned about restraining special needs students
  • Northville considers competitive contracting
  • Avondale moves elections to November
  • District bans bags in response to bomb threats
  • Win an iPod
THIRTEEN DISTRICTS HAVE BUDGET SURPLUSES
LANSING, Mich. — While many school districts in Michigan have been unable to control spending, 13 districts are reporting budget surpluses, according to the Michigan Information & Research Service, a Lansing based newsletter.

Verona, Colfax, Arvon, Sigel, Grant, Mackinac Island, Berlin, Easton, Bois Blanc Pines, Church and Bloomfield Township schools all have fund balances ranging from 93 to 199 percent. Common features among the districts are their small size and stable enrollment, according to MIRS.

SOURCE:
MIRS Capitol Capsule, "Thirteen Schools With Significant Cash Balances," Dec. 4, 2006 (subscription only)
http://www.mirsnews.com/capsule.php?gid=630#10002

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Ewen-Trout Creek Schools uncovers deficit," Dec. 5, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/8104

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "School Budgets: A Crisis of Management, Not Finance," Feb. 11, 2005
http://www.mackinac.org/6980

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Six Habits of Fiscally Responsible Public School Districts," Dec. 3, 2002
http://www.mackinac.org/4891

DISTRICTS COULD SAVE MONEY WITH PRIVATE ENERGY CONSULTANT
ITHACA, Mich. — Ithaca Public Schools could save up to $40,000 in energy costs if other Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District schools decide to join it in an energy consortium headed by a private consultant, according to The Saginaw News.

IPS already has voted to join the consortium, while the other districts are planning to vote this month. The districts would collectively hire an "energy manager" from Energy Education Inc. of Wichita Falls, Texas, to analyze and make suggestions for reducing energy usage in each of the districts' buildings. Energy Education Inc. told the schools it could save them $3.9 million total over seven years, according to The News.

"There won't be significant savings to begin with because of start-up costs, but over the course of a year, there will be," Superintendent Charles Schnetzler told The News.

Forty districts in Michigan and 800 nationwide are cooperating with Energy Education Inc., The News reported.

SOURCE:
The Saginaw News, "Ithaca schools join energy consortium," Dec. 6, 2006
http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1165415212317080.xml&coll=9

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Merrill schools move to alternative fuel," Nov. 7, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/8059

Michigan Education Digest, "Private firm helps Battle Creek schools cut energy costs," July 19, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7817

Michigan Education Digest, "Walled Lake implements program to save on energy," Nov. 1, 2005
http://www.educationreport.org/7417

PARENTS, MDE CONCERNED ABOUT RESTRAINING SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
LANSING, Mich. — The treatment of combative special education students is under the scrutiny of both parents and the Michigan Department of Education, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Two special education students died in 2003 while being restrained by staff members, causing the MDE to reconsider its policy on student seclusion and restraints. The plan under consideration would restrict the use of seclusion and restraints to emergency situations, ban the use of mechanical or chemical restraints, set time limits on seclusions, require training for school employees who may need to restrain or seclude students, as well as require stricter documentation of incidents where restraints or seclusion needed to be used, according to the Free Press.

The parents of the deceased children, as well as special-education advocates, are fighting for the complete elimination of these practices.

"Seclusion and restraint are cruel, inhumane and degrading practices. I don't think they belong in educational settings," State Board of Education member Elizabeth Bauer told the Free Press.

Blu Hintz of Midland is raising her grandson, Dustin, who has a form of Autism and spina bifida. She believes that restraint and seclusion are necessary to keep special education students in school.

"If children like Dustin aren't restrained, they have no other place to go," Hintz told the Free Press. "They would end up in an institution."

SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, "A way to safely restrain students?" Dec. 8, 2006
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061208/NEWS06/612080435

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Parents concerned about padded room," Oct. 3, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7959

Michigan Education Digest, "Punishment box removed from Marshall school," May 16, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7704

NORTHVILLE CONSIDERS COMPETITIVE CONTRACTING
NORTHVILLE, Mich. — Northville Public Schools has decided to look into competitively contracting for some, or all, of its non-instructional services, according to the Northville Record.

It is too early in the process to estimate savings, but Northville is looking into contracting for its custodial, maintenance, food service and transportation services, so it can maintain current programs and staff, according to the Record.

"The district wants to maintain progress and class size and our good teachers," David Bolitho, Northville assistant superintendent for administrative services, told the Record.

Bolitho said districts like Garden City, which has reported it will save $800,000 to $1 million, show privatization works, according to the Record.

Tom White, executive director of the Michigan School Business Officials, encourages members to consider competitive contracting.

"Whether you like it or not, or whether you do it or not, you have to evaluate the option," he told the Record.

SOURCE:
Northville Record, "School district investigates privatization for cost-savings," Dec. 7, 2006
http://hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061207/NEWS12/612070762/1029

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Beyond brooms, burgers and buses," Nov. 21, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/8032

Michigan Education Digest, "Oakland County schools save money with competitive contracting," Oct. 3, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7959

Michigan Education Report, "Competitive contracting grows despite myths," Sept. 6, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7900

AVONDALE MOVES ELECTIONS TO NOVEMBER
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Starting next year, the Avondale School District will save about $30,000 a year by holding its elections in November of odd-numbered years, according to The Detroit News.

"We were told by going to November elections that our costs would be virtually nothing," Avondale Board of Education President Stephen Sucher told The News.

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "Avondale schools set for odd-year voting," Dec. 7, 2006
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061207/SCHOOLS/612070356/1009/METRO02

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Rochester moves school board elections, lengthens terms," Nov. 14, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/8067

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Secret Ballot?" May 22, 2006
http://www.mackinac.org/7708

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "A Voter's Checklist for School Elections," April 28, 2006
http://www.mackinac.org/7688

DISTRICT BANS BAGS IN RESPONSE TO BOMB THREATS
ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. — Lakeview High School has banned purses and backpacks from classrooms in response to several bomb threats it has received this school year, according to The Detroit News.

Purses and backpacks must be kept in lockers during the school day, which the district says will allow police to search the building more quickly when a bomb threat is received. The school had four such incidents in September and October, including one that forced an evacuation, The News reported.

"The kids really know it's an issue with safety," Principal Bob DuBois told The News. "They recognize the need. Are they happy about? No, but they're used to it."

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "School tells girls to bag the purses," Dec. 11, 2006
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/SCHOOLS/612110333/1026

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "School safety drill angers parents," Nov. 7, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/8059

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Private Protection: A Growing Industry Could Enhance School Safety," Nov. 16, 1998
http://www.mackinac.org/802

WIN AN IPOD
MIDLAND, Mich. — Michigan Education Report is offering readers a chance to win an iPod when they comment on articles in its Winter 2006 issue. Comments can be made via e-mail about stories on alternative teacher certification, successful public school reform and Michigan's cap on charter public schools. Please visit www.educationreport.org for more information.

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST is a service of Michigan Education Report (http://www.educationreport.org), a quarterly newspaper with a circulation of 150,000 published by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy (http://www.mackinac.org), a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational institute.

Contact Managing Editor Sarah Grether at
mailto:med@educationreport.org

To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to
http://www.educationreport.org/pubs/mer/listserver.aspx?Source=wwwMED
Michigan Education Daily
Fri., November 21, 2008
"Bay County area schools should conduct school board elections jointly with general elections as a way to save money and have more representative voter turnout." >>
Thu., November 20, 2008
"Now three years old, the Kalamazoo Promise has had mixed results in its mission to send Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates to college." >>
Wed., November 19, 2008
"Grand Rapids and Holland public schools are reporting higher numbers of homeless students than last year and expect the figures to grow." >>
Tue., November 18, 2008
"Nineteen Detroit Public Schools teachers are running for election to leadership slots in the Detroit Federation of Teachers union on a school reform platform, according to The Detroit News. The teachers want to open their own charter school modeled after the Los Angeles Green Dot Schools." >>
Mon., November 17, 2008
"Teachers in Gaylord Community Schools have voted to replace the Michigan Educational Special Services Association with AmeraPlan as a third-party insurance administrator, saving the district about 25 percent on health care costs." >>
Sun., November 16, 2008
"A Spanish language teacher quit her job at Michigan Collegiate High School amid allegations that she had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old male student." >>
Sat., November 15, 2008
"Wyandotte Public Schools is attracting attention statewide for its 90 percent pass rate among algebra II students." >>
User Comments
llsmith
Testing is not the answer. All it does is give the "teacher" a basis for determining a grade. And, we all know that grading and grades are circumspect. Rather, a more true measure of learning is when the learner (i.e., the "student" using traditional and aniquated terminology and stereotyping) wants to know more about a topic or issue. This expression of desire for more is an affirmation that the learner has mastered current concepts and material and now wants to move on. In this scenario no test nor grade is necessary. What should be necessary is for the provider (i.e., the "teacher") to have the next level or dimension of concepts and materials readily available to present and apply once the learner expresses the desire to move on.

What we need is a system that is designed to cater to this basal learning behavior and can be applied in real time. Take a look at the definitive treatment "Education in America -- What's to Be Done?" developed by Trigon-International. This commission report presents an end-to-end solution that is actionable and affordable. >>
samuel
$400 K, try $400 million >>
terrym2442
Thank you to Lorie Shane and Marcie Lipsitt for blowing off the cover, exposing one of Michigan's "dirty secrets."

As the parent of a child with special needs in Michigan, it's been an uphill battle since day one to get the APPROPRIATE services for my child. Sadly, the bar is held too low for our kids. Upon graduating, if the student is not capable of attending college, he/she is warehoused into post-secondary settings where formal academics are not offered. Perhaps if students had gotten proper academics when younger- taught by highly qualified teachers- many would have had the opportunity to move on and continue formal academics like their non-disabled peers, rather than be expected to dust shelves and bag groceries their whole lives.

Michigan's special eduation has and continues to fail our children.

>>
frick@mackinac.org
As a parent I see the value of a teacher with knowledge of both special ed methods and the subject matter. Do enough of them exist to go around? My guess is that many teachers who concentrated their schooling and training on special ed took fewer courses in subject matter (English, Mathematics, Science, etc.). There are limits on course load, number of years in college, and student finance.

As much as we want the best for every person, we are not going to have six teachers each an expert in their subject matter per one pupil. So in this world of limited resources, each person and our society have to decide how to use the resources we have. Hopefully a successful balance of flexibility and accountability can produce the desired results: educated children with the capacity to think and the ability to learn. >>
Carol
Michigan High School & the University deliver quality education to its
students & has maintained its standard with good caliber. The courses offered by the Michigan institutes are versatile and for future progress of the society and the students, it further enhances them to become excellent citizens!!
---------------------------
Carol
<a href="http://http://www.treatmentcenters.org/michigan">Michigan Treatment Centers</a>
>>
drgrenan
Thank you for your comments. I would be honored and proud to go to any school district or meeting to stand up for your/our children!! Just EMail me and I will be there or call me anytime at 616-8474282
Thank You, Dr Jack Grenan Educator and Cancer Survivor >>
ilifflij
Parents and teachers have not had a voice. The waivers used have allowed administrators of various Michigan schools to plunk in 20 - 25 students in a classroom of students with learning disabilities. As a special education teacher, I find it very difficult to meet the individual learning objectives of that many students. >>
rlboogren
This article presents excellent information. As the parent of a child with a disability I advocate for my son. Currently, there is no one to speak for all the children with disabilities in Michigan. There is no transparency of government. The position of State Superintendent is a dictatorship with the power to make all the decisions. As a parent, I cannot voice my concerns by voting. >>
Ferndale Eagle
Ferndale High School in Ferndale, Michigan succeeded in correcting the mistaken reporting of the Johns Hopkins University report that had included it as a "dropout factory" with poor "promoting power." The University researchers have acknowledged that Ferndale High School does not belong in this category and removed the school from the list because of the school district's high outward mobility (more students move out than move in during high school.). The high school has a three-year promoting power ration of 77% rather than the 50% reported in the Associated Press in October 2007, with the Class of 2006 having a 91% promoting power. Please visit Johns Hopkins' website for more clarification to see the "Schools Removed from the List of Weak Promoting Power High Schools: http://web.jhu.edu/CSOS/images/Removed_from_List_5_14_08.pdf .

Also, visit www.ferndaleschools.org for info about the school district. >>
From Mackinac Blog
So you're not going to admit an anti-MESSA bias?

*wink* >>