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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
September 30, 2008

Contents of this issue:

  • Enrollment ups and downs
  • Early numbers show DPS at 88,000 students
  • Go to school, win a car
  • Former Holly teacher arraigned

ENROLLMENT DOWN, CHARTERS AND CHOICE UP

Enrollment declines were reported across much of Michigan last week, though some school officials said the lower numbers were not as bad as expected. Charter school enrollment increased in many of the same areas, as did schools-of-choice numbers, according to media reports.

All seven conventional public school districts in Livingston County reported declines, as did 10 of 13 districts in Saginaw County. Reports were mixed in west Michigan, where four of the largest districts, among them Grand Rapids Public Schools, reported lower student numbers, while 11 others posted gains.

GRPS enrollment likely dropped enough to move it from the state's third- to fourth-largest district, according to The Grand Rapids Press.

Public charter school enrollment increases were reported in Livingston County, the Grand Rapids area and at least one Saginaw County charter school. Two other Saginaw-based charters saw declines. Nearly half the enrollment in Saginaw County's Carrollton Community Schools now consists of schools-of-choice participants, The Saginaw News reported.

SOURCES:
The Livingston Community News, "Enrollment falls in 7 local districts; rises at charters," Sept. 25, 2008

The Grand Rapids Press, "Majority of West Michigan districts report fewer students," Sept. 24, 2008

The Saginaw News, "Saginaw County loses 1,250 students as count day tallies reveal 10 of 13 schools drop enrollment," Sept. 25, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Charter school enrollment tops 100,000," Dec. 18, 2007

DETROIT STUDENT COUNT DOWN BY 16,000

DETROIT - Preliminary figures show that approximately 88,000 students were enrolled in Detroit Public Schools as of Wednesday, a drop of about 16,000 from last fall, according to The Detroit News. Though the final count could change, any total lower than 100,000 will result in the district losing "first- class" status, which in turn could allow more charter public schools to begin operating within the district.

The district anticipated enrolling about 98,000 students; the lower number would mean a reduction of about $52.6 million in state aid, The News reported.

Already under financial scrutiny by the state, Detroit plans to make $522 million in budget cuts over the next two years to eliminate a deficit, according to The News.

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "DPS sees record drop in students," Sept. 26, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Colleges: 'Wait and see' on Detroit Charter Schools," April 7, 2008

GO TO SCHOOL, WIN A CAR

DETROIT - Parents whose children showed up for classes at Westwood Community Schools on the state's official student count day were eligible to win a Saturn Vue, according to the Detroit Free Press.

While other schools weren't offering new cars, a number offered different incentives, among them ice cream, bus service and new educational programs, the Free Press reported.

Sept. 24 was the day on which Michigan districts counted the number of students enrolled. Schools receive per-pupil funding of about $7,300 from the state. The number of students in Michigan dropped by almost 31,000 in 2007, according to the Free Press.

Enrollment at Inkster Public Schools, however, increased by 700 students, the Free Press reported. School officials credited the increase to advertisements about new educational programs. The article also noted that some public charter schools now offer bus service, including one academy that organized 14 bus stops in Detroit to transport students who otherwise would be assigned to Detroit Public Schools.

SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, "Get your kid in school today, win a car," Sept. 23, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "A Michigan School Money Primer," May 30, 2007

FORMER HOLLY TEACHER ARRAIGNED

HOLLY, Mich. - A former Holly High School teacher charged with five counts of criminal sexual conduct third degree was arraigned Sept. 23, according to The Flint Journal.

Ranee Sue Proper, 41, who worked for Holly schools from 2004 until her resignation in June, is accused of having sex with two students, The Journal reported. She was placed on administrative leave May 15 and instructed by the district not to have any contact with students or parents.

"We had allegations of inappropriate conduct and those allegations we were investigating. Upon her resignation on June 25, our involvement ceased," Superintendent Kent Barnes was quoted in the article.

A preliminary examination is set for Oct. 24. Proper's attorney could not be reached for comment, the article said.

SOURCE:
The Flint Journal, "Former Holly teacher Ranee Proper accused of having sex with students," Sept. 23, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Zeeland pays teacher to leave," Sept. 2, 2008

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

Contact Managing Editor Lorie Shane at
mailto:med@educationreport.org

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http://www.educationreport.org/pubs/mer/listserver.aspx?Source=MED

Michigan Education Daily
Fri., July 3, 2009
"A recall effort against four school board members is under investigation by Michigan State Police, but a detective said that his work might not be finished before the recall election itself." >>
Thu., July 2, 2009
"The Ypsilanti school district plans to spend about $3 million more than it takes in during the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which means it also will have to file a deficit elimination plan with the state to explain the shortfall." >>
Wed., July 1, 2009
"The Algonac Community School District may privatize its custodial and bus services, but is giving current employees a chance to make a counter proposal first." >>
Tue., June 30, 2009
"Potential bankruptcy, continuing budget problems, more staff cuts and allegations of theft at Detroit Public Schools all were reported by Detroit media during the past week." >>
Mon., June 29, 2009
"Only 33 percent of the students enrolled in Grand Rapids alternative high schools graduated last year, a number the district believes can be improved by switching to online courses, extended days and hours and a lower student-adult ratio." >>
Sun., June 28, 2009
"African-American students are suspended or expelled at disproportionately higher rates than white students in Michigan." >>
Sat., June 27, 2009
"Employees in the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District will receive pay hikes, contribute 10 percent to their health insurance premiums and move to a new insurance plan under the terms of a newly signed contract." >>
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BenjaminY
We have a problem in Detroit Public School, their system had cash flow problem for years now. And honestly it getting worst in terms in progression with more children leaving to charter their schools almost every year. The state decided to give the Detroit school districts cash advance of $70 million so they would meet the schools expenses, as well as payment for teachers. Robert Bobb, the newly appointed emergency financial manager, requested the funds early in order for him to get the house in order before he had to start panicking. President Obama has been giving out large sums of money for troubled school districts, perhaps that’s where a generous portion of the aid came from. Getting Detroit Public Schools in working order is a worthy cause.

LINK TO READ FOR MORE INFO:
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>>
colonelb
I am all for school choice and think its great that charters are finally moving forward. However, I'm wondering if the research accounts for a playing field that is not level. I can't take my school buildings and move them anywhere I want, nor can I simply slap up a pole building and make it a school. If anything, public schools need less state regulation and oversight so we can play by the same minimal rules charters do. If you want public schools to compete to improve, remove the barriers to doing so. I will gladly except less funding per pupil if the playing field is level.
>>
karen
The purpose is to encourage non excercising children to excercise but my daughter's highschool gave her an improper body fat percentage and made my healthy daughter who trains 20 hours a week in tap jazz and ballet believe she was overweaghit instead of a person with muscles.
I believe the public schools do not have the right to make the diagnoses with these kids because they are using one measurement and recording it from their arms that they have a certain percetnage of body fat with one arm caliper test.
Does any one have feed back?
>>
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