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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
October 28, 2008

Contents of this issue:

  • GR teachers: Let us decide pay, insurance
  • Teachers agree to insurance changes, get pay raises
  • Cash flow an issue in Pontiac
  • Belding offers free breakfast to all
  • Ypsilanti considers lawsuit over state funding
  • Educators invited to Mackinac Center's 20th anniversary gala

GR TEACHERS: LET US DECIDE PAY, INSURANCE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Rapids teachers have proposed that Grand Rapids Public Schools turn over control of a percentage of its annual budget to them, and let the union set pay and benefits for its own members, according to The Grand Rapids Press.

The suggested agreement, believed to be the first collective bargaining proposal of its kind in Michigan, calls for the district to let the union decide how to spend about 57 percent of general operating revenue, the amount generally designated for the classroom, The Press reported.

"Give us the budget, and we will live within our means," union President Paul Helder told The Press. The last contract expired more than a year ago and negotiations have been contentious.

Lisa Freiburger, the chief of operations for the district, called the proposal "complicated, but very intriguing," according to The Press. She said the dollars designated for classroom use cover items other than salaries and benefits, such as textbooks, but that those issues don't rule out discussing the proposal, the article said.

SOURCE:
The Grand Rapids Press, "Grand Rapids teachers' union pitches new approach to solve contract dispute," Oct. 23, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Grand Rapids contract still unresolved," Sept. 23, 2008

TEACHERS AGREE TO INSURANCE CHANGES, GET PAY RAISES

ST. CHARLES, Mich. - Teachers in St. Charles Community Schools will receive annual pay raises under the terms of a new, three- year contract, though the amount will depend on health insurance costs, The Saginaw News reported.

The pact includes pay increases of 2.65 percent the first year and up to 2 percent in the following two years, according to The News. Raises in the final two years will be lowered if Michigan Education Special Services Association costs increase by more than 4 percent. Also, teachers agreed to an increased office co- pay of $10, up from $5, The News reported. MESSA is a third- party insurance administrator affiliated with the Michigan Education Association teachers union that outsources insurance underwriting to Blue Cross Blue Shield and then resells policies to school districts.

"All of our employees have taken significant health insurance concessions that will save our school district money,"

Superintendent Michael L. Wallace told The News. Those savings enabled the district to offer higher salaries.

St. Charles Education Association President David Schmidt said teachers have worked with the administration to maintain the district's fund equity, according to The News.

SOURCE:
The Saginaw News, "St. Charles teachers get contract," Oct. 24, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Health insurance: Reformed, but not resolved," Sept. 16, 2008

CASH FLOW AN ISSUE IN PONTIAC

PONTIAC, Mich. - The Pontiac School District may ask for a state loan or an advance on special education funding to maintain cash flow, The Oakland Press reported.

Anticipating it could overspend its revenue by up to $6.5 million, and with its fund balance already allocated, the district will have to make cuts and borrow money to cover operational costs, The Press reported. Felix Chow, interim deputy superintendent of finance and operations, said that declining enrollment is a factor, but also that the district did not achieve the savings it anticipated through contract negotiations or sale of property, The Press reported.

The district will attempt to borrow money from the state in November, if available, and may ask Oakland Schools for an advance on federal special education funding, though typically those payments are made on a reimbursement basis, according to The Press. An advance payment would reduce Pontiac's borrowing costs, Chow said.

SOURCE:
The Oakland Press, "Pontiac school officials hope loans are available," Oct. 22, 2008 

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Detroit not the only school district seeing red," June 30, 2008 

BELDING OFFERS FREE BREAKFAST TO ALL

BELDING, Mich. - Citing hard economic times, Belding Area Schools will begin giving breakfast to every student, not just those eligible due to family income, The Grand Rapids Press reported.

Simple foods like fruit, yogurt, cereal and cheese sticks will be offered in classrooms during the first few minutes of the school day, according to The Press. Superintendent Charles Barker told The Press that rising unemployment and the cost of food were factors in the decision, but also that many children skip breakfast if their working parents are not at home in the morning.

School board President Debra Bach said the closing of Electrolux hit the area hard, according to The Press. More than 50 percent of Belding students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Cheboygan Area Schools reported fewer tardies, better attendance and better student attention after implementing a similar breakfast program through a federal grant, The Press reported.

Belding will pay for its program with surplus money in its cafeteria fund.

SOURCE:

The Grand Rapids Press, "Belding schools will offer free breakfast to all student," Oct. 21, 2008 

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "A Michigan School Money Primer: '31d School Lunch,'" May 30, 2007

YPSILANTI CONSIDERS LAWSUIT OVER STATE FUNDING

YPSILANTI, Mich. - Projecting a budget that overspends revenue by $5.4 million in 2009-2010, Ypsilanti Public Schools will lobby state legislators and investigate suing the state over what it considers inadequate public school funding in Michigan, The Ann Arbor News reported.

At a recent public forum, school board President David Bates said the district is attempting to raise awareness about its efforts, according to The News. Audience members, including some from other districts, suggested that schools work together and present Lansing lawmakers with ideas for solutions.

"We don't want to go up just whining and complaining, we need to go up there with solutions and suggestions," said Tulani Smith, an Ypsilanti school administrator.

SOURCE:
The Ann Arbor News, "Ypsilanti leads school rebellion," Oct. 21, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Detroit not the only school district seeing red," June 30, 2008

EDUCATORS INVITED TO MACKINAC CENTER'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

MIDLAND, Mich. - Teachers, administrators, school board members and other school employees are invited to attend the Mackinac Center for Public Policy's 20th anniversary celebration at a special promotional price of $50 per ticket or $75 per couple.

The event will take place Nov. 11 in Michigan State University's Kellogg Center, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 7. 

The keynote speaker will be John Stossel, co-anchor of ABC's "20/20."

Call (512) 476-4403 by Nov. 3 to RSVP.

SOURCE:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "20th Anniversary Gala"

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

To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to
http://www.educationreport.org/pubs/mer/listserver.aspx?Source=MED

Michigan Education Daily
Sat., July 4, 2009
"Federal stimulus money has turned an educational experience into paying jobs for 18 students enrolled in a program at Beaumont Hospital." >>
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." >>
User Comments
MichelleO

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>>
QUEEN_BEE_09
I AGREE >>
colonelb
Godfrey-Lee on the west side of the state has been running all-day, every-day kindergarten for several years. >>
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:
http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/03/10/state-advance-detroit-public-schools-70m/


>>
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?
>>
deepakp9
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High levels of satisfaction among private school parents also extend to opinions about their children's teachers, academic standards of the school, order and discipline at the school, the amount of homework assigned, and interactions with school personnel.

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For me, either public or private could give good education to students. It really doesn’t matter whether you are in public or private school as long as you are studying and obtaining education, and providing that you can afford the expenses. One of the key ingredients to the success of a modern nation is education. As Americans emerge from the afterglow of the recent presidential elections and president-elect Obama prepares to take the reins of the country, education is a topic on the minds of many. What will he do to improve the lot of students and teachers in America? According to an article at The Apple, Obama’s first order of business when it comes to education will be to look at No Child Left Behind. He doesn’t want to scrap the program, but he does want to reform it, particularly when it comes to standardized testing. He does not support preparing students all year to “fill out bubbles.” Referencing schools, both Obama and vice president-elect Joe Biden support charter schools, as long as they perform up to standard. Teachers at charter schools and others are pleased with Obama's incentives like Teacher Service Scholarships and various pay rewards – this will certainly be a great help. Furthermore, part of the president-elect’s main concern is to boost Early Head Start programs and provide tax credit for college education. The course to repair faith in the American educational system through these ideas and more will definitely lead to the kind of credit repair the country needs. Click to learn more about <a title="What is Credit Repair?" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/what-is-credit-repair/">Credit Repair</a>. >>
johnson
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