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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
February 19, 2008

Contents of this issue:
  • Muskegon school districts compete for kindergarteners
  • Oak Park student charged with assaulting teacher
  • Macomb Catholic school breaks ground
  • Michigan school board members create leadership organization
  • Mona Shores teachers switch health plans, get raises
  • Comment and win an iPod
MUSKEGON SCHOOL DISTRICTS COMPETE FOR KINDERGARTENERS
MUSKEGON, Mich. — Muskegon County school districts are hosting recruiting events to boost kindergarten enrollment for next year, according to The Muskegon Chronicle.

All 12 Muskegon County districts participate in the schools of choice program and have decided to coordinate "kindergarten roundup" events to allow parents to "shop" for the best school district for their child, while also allowing enrollment on the spot for students within the district boundaries, The Chronicle reported.

Districts are taking varied approaches to the "roundup" activities. A handful are asking that parents attend without the future student, while others are offering free child care during the activities and some have made the events kid-friendly by offering "literacy bags" with books for children, according to The Chronicle.

"We're hoping by promoting public schools, we'll have more families joining us," Amy Upham, principal of Fruitport Community Schools' Edgewood Elementary, told The Chronicle. "It's a time when parents can come in and view the classrooms."

SOURCE:
The Muskegon Chronicle, "County schools aggressively going after kindergartners," Feb. 12, 2008
http://www.mlive.com/news/chronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1202829317318430.xml&coll=8

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Conclusion: Competition Is Improving Public Schools for Michigan Children," in "The Impact of Limited School Choice on Public School Districts," July 24, 2000
http://www.mackinac.org/2979

OAK PARK STUDENT CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING TEACHER
OAK PARK, Mich. — An Oak Park High School student has been charged with assault and battery in response to an incident with a female teacher, according to The Detroit News.

The girl, 17, will go before an Oakland County District Court judge for the assault charge. A second female student, 15, may be charged for assaulting a male teacher as he came to break up the initial fight, The News reported.

"Since she was a juvenile, we sent a request for a petition to the Oakland County prosecutor, and they will determine if she will be charged with assault and battery," Lt. Mike Pousak of the Oak Park Police Department told The News.

Both students were suspended with recommendation that they be expelled. The expulsion hearings will be held in upcoming weeks. The two girls were upset with the teacher over an earlier incident and confronted her, according to The News.

"They went to her classroom and called for her to step out of the classroom," Pousak told The News. "The teacher then called for another teacher who tried to step between her and the girls, and one of the girls then assaulted him."

Oak Park High School has a history of violence, The News reported. Last fall, a janitor was assaulted at the school after a football game and weeks later, a student was found carrying a large folding knife as well as being in possession of marijuana. The same day, a fight broke out in the lunch room, resulting in charges against a handful of students. Despite the violence, administrators believe they handle it well, according to The News.

"We had some kids who were acting inappropriately and now they'll suffer the consequences," Superintendent Sandra Harris told The News. "We won't tolerate that kind of behavior. The students were disgruntled and mad at the teacher. They decided to take their aggression out on her."

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "Girl's assault hearing set," Feb. 11, 2008
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080211/METRO01/802110352/1410/METRO01

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "The three P's of school safety: parents, prevention, and police," Nov. 1, 2001
http://www.educationreport.org/3134

MACOMB CATHOLIC SCHOOL BREAKS GROUND
MACOMB, Mich. — A Catholic high school 10 years in the making has started the building process and is scheduled to open in September 2009, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Austin Catholic Academy has been able to raise about one-third of the $30 million needed to construct the school and continues to examine financing options, the Free Press reported.

Nationwide, enrollment in Catholic schools has dropped to 2.3 million in 2006-07 from 2.4 million in 2005-2006.

"We are going to have to go out for tax-free school bonds, which need to be repaid by community effort and donations," Leonard Brillati, president of the board of trustees, told the Free Press. "We just need everybody's effort in the community to come forward with financial gifts."

Austin will be the only co-ed Catholic school in Macomb County and will have 40 teachers and 200 high school freshmen upon opening. It will add a new class each year until it reaches its capacity of 800 students in 2012-2013, according to the Free Press.

SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, "Catholic school in Macomb breaking ground today," Feb. 12, 2008
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080214/NEWS04/80214031

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Detroit-area Catholic schools look to future," Nov. 21, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/8028

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS CREATE LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mich. — Education leaders from around the state have established the Michigan School Board Leaders Forum Inc., an organization to help districts communicate about education issues, according to the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

The group was formed as a way to educate board members statewide about contract negotiations, general reform issues and tools for financial management. The group has created an online forum to start discussion of these issues and is hoping this is a first step to broadening the perspectives of school board members. Eventually, the group plans to hold regional meetings, the Press & Argus reported.

"This is a chance for those of us committed to meaningful education reform to create a forum dedicated to improving the system, rather than simply supporting the status quo," Mike Reno, a Rochester Community Schools board member, told the Press & Argus. "MSBLF is about responsible stewardship and accountability to students, parents and taxpayers."

SOURCE:
Livingston Daily Press & Argus, "School leaders band together," Feb. 18, 2008
http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/NEWS01/802180307

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "School Board Self-Help," Sept. 27, 2004
http://www.mackinac.org/6844

MONA SHORES TEACHERS SWITCH HEALTH PLANS, GET RAISES
MONA SHORES, Mich. — The Mona Shores teachers and board of education have agreed to a two-year contract that will include pay raises while saving the district $300,000 a year on health insurance costs, according to The Muskegon Chronicle.

Teachers will receive a 2 percent pay increase for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 and will receive health benefits through the Michigan Education Special Services Association Choices II plan. Previously, teachers could choose the more expensive Super Care I MESSA plan. Teachers will also contribute $10 and $20 for prescription co-pays, while before they contributed $5 and $10 for co-pays, The Chronicle reported. MESSA is a third-party administrator affiliated with the Michigan Education Association school employees union that outsources insurance underwriting and then sells the policies to school districts.

An agreement was reached months before the current contract expires on Aug. 31.

"We found a way to save the district thousands of dollars each year and still maintain quality health care insurance for our members," Keith Sauter, president of the Mona Shores Teachers Education Association, told The Chronicle. "We were able to discuss issues and work out solutions that addressed concerns for both sides rather quickly."

SOURCE:
The Muskegon Chronicle, "Mona Shores teachers get 2 percent raises with new contract," Feb. 12, 2008
http://www.mlive.com/news/chronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1202829307318430.xml&coll=8

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Selective Moral Outrage," Sept. 24, 2007
http://www.mackinac.org/9003

NEW HIGH SCHOOL TO OPEN IN ANN ARBOR
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Ann Arbor Public Schools plans to open the newly constructed Skyline High School with about 400 freshmen next fall, according to The Detroit News.

AAPS will transfer staff from its other two high schools, Huron and Pioneer, to the four-story school, which cost $80 million to build, The News reported.

A printed correction The News ran on Feb. 13, 2008, said Skyline High School's opening was delayed due to construction setbacks. The News had originally reported the delay was due to a lack of operating funds.

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "New schools too costly to operate," Feb. 9, 2008
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802090354

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "New Ann Arbor High School $3 million over budget," Dec. 13, 2005
http://www.educationreport.org/7464

COMMENT AND WIN AN IPOD
MIDLAND, Mich. — Go to http://forum.educationreport.org and post a comment for a chance to win one of three iPods.

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST is a service of Michigan Education Report (http://www.educationreport.org), a quarterly newspaper 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=MED
Related Topics: Education

Comments

Reply New Comment

I wouldn't call the Argus Press story ...

From Mackinac Blog,
May 6, 2008, 12:17:39 PM
I wouldn't call the Argus Press story about the MSBFL (or whatever it is) a "reported" story. It's clear the story is mostly a canned press release from the EAG parent site and in fact contains the exact same quote from Mike Reno as the Gungwer story two weeks ago.

Questionable journalism to say the least for the newspaper to put a reporter's name on it and print is a news story.
Michigan Education Daily
Wed., September 1, 2010
"An aviation school in Michigan is one example of a new generation of public charter schools designed to serve niche audiences." >>
Tue., August 31, 2010
"A 10-year-old Windsor boy who completed part of his education in Michigan is being denied entry to public high school in Windsor even though he's completed the eighth-grade curriculum." >>
Mon., August 30, 2010
"Principal John Hoving is using Facebook as a way to promote Bay City All Saints Central School as well as to head off possible cyber bullying." >>
Sun., August 29, 2010
"Royal Oak Public Schools students will be featured in an Oct. 12 episode of MTV's "If You Really Knew Me," a cable television program that the producer describes as "students trying to be accepted for who they are."" >>
Sat., August 28, 2010
"Public schools in Michigan were offered an automatic "A" on part of their annual state report card this year, a one-time arrangement that may have spared some from being unaccredited." >>
Fri., August 27, 2010
"More than 1,000 teacher retirements will allow Detroit Public Schools to recall all teachers from layoff and hire up to 300 more to fill staffing gaps." >>
Thu., August 26, 2010
"Inland Lakes Schools is considering hiring a private firm to provide custodial services as a way to save money, but a union representative says that new federal funding makes such a move unnecessary." >>
User Comments
carol peterson
education is an all around development for a child
he should be mentally and physically strong


<a href="http://rescueyoursavings.com" rel="dofollow">Savings</a> >>
carol peterson
education is an all around development for a child
he should be mentally and physically strong >>
johnstfu
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Aarowman
Public servants like Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Judges, Secretaries of Various Departments and the like should be first to be compensated for performance.
The idea that the playing field for students is level everywhere is as Quixotic as thinking all politicians are honest and competent.
There are neighborhoods where only Portugese or gang sign language is spoken, where the parents both work two jobs to pay rent, where getting to school and back is more dangerous than Iraq and Afghanastan.
This Secretary of Education has to remove the silver spoon, roll up his sleeves and take his superior intellect attitude into the trenches and show the poor slobs that are taking their teachers jobs for granted how he would do it. Just because his mommy used to help out in Chicago doesn't give him the Congression Medal of Honor. Actually he's a stuffed shirt pretending to know it all.
How much do you want to bet that he wouldn't attempt entering these neighborhoods let alone these schools without security. >>
verdemont resident
This article is tucked away yet is profoundly correct. Parents are pseudo parenting little objects of consumption. Teens, professionals, working moms like the "idea" of a child but are not in for the long haul and everyone loses.

Schools are enabling parents to do precious little. The time parents spend with their children is the only thing that matters. Bussing needs to be cut, school breakfast, lunch, and afterschool care needs to be stopped. Parents will grow that bond by sacrificing the nails, hair, parties, drugs, quads, vacations, etc. and making a lunch for their child and arrangements to be home when the child is out of school. No one is that poor that they can't provide a boloney sandwich, a baggie of pretzels, an apple, 50 cents for a milk, and two cookies each day.

Please respond!

>>
JackI
Is it true that young ones today are losing interest on these subjects? Obviously, the White House is promoting programs that will help students on coping up with math and science subjects. But, The federal government thinks that the quality of math and science education can repair credit with the scientific community and improve US education with a few <a rev="vote for" title="U.S. Government Spends $250 Million on Science and Math" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/Payday-Loans/ ">payday loans</a> of sorts. In reality, it will take far longer to accomplish than they might think – US educators can't even get students to accept that "irregardless" isn't a word, and the difference between their, they're, and there – our students can't even learn their own language! It's a noble aim, to be sure, but throwing money at it may not work in the long run. >>
beggarsall
I am a teacher in the same county who is presently trying to quit the union. Like Caldwell, I strongly disagree with the MEA.

This article was timely.

Rob Olson
Pittsford Area Schools

>>
rickolson
I agree this is a change worth making. I describe some of the uneven effects of the idea on my blog at http://rickolson.blogspot.com/2009/08/statewide-health-insurance-plan-for.html which you may also wish to read.

The devil will be in the details, so this is one we will need to monitor closely.

Rick Olson from Saline, former school Business Manager >>
MichelleO

Nowadays, saving money is very crucial and properly investing the money can keep you and your family away from the effect of the financial crisis. The sad news is that a lot of the options for short term funding have been drying up. Short term funding is a necessary thing to have around, and going through traditional channels such as banks isn't an option for a lot of people anymore – basically it's only open to Ken Lewis. Installment loans are an option, but some people, including senior citizens, have been thinking about raiding their retirement fund. Getting into your pension retirement plan or 401(k) funds is the last thing you want to do if you don't qualify for any withdrawals yet. The penalties are substantial, and you'll end up needing installments loans to pay them if you use retirement funds for <a rev="vote for" title="Installment Loans Reliable Option As 401(k)s are Dwindling" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/05/17/installment-loans-reliable-option-401ks-dwindling/">short term funding</a>.


>>
QUEEN_BEE_09
I AGREE >>