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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
June 23, 2009

Contents of this issue:

  • School leaders float ideas on saving money
  • Applying economics to ed research
  • DPS, Doug Ross talk partnership
  • Whiteford expands food privatization
  • MEA wants ISD to turn over fund equity

SCHOOL LEADERS FLOAT IDEAS ON SAVING MONEY

LANSING, Mich. - Regional labor contracts, a statewide teacher pay scale and consolidated administration are among the proposals that a group of Michigan school leaders want the state to consider, according to an article in the Lansing State Journal.

Fourteen school superintendents and finance chiefs from districts of varying sizes put together the proposals and now are circulating them as potential ways to address school funding problems, the Journal reported.

"The idea was to sit down and say, 'What are the problems that we have? What are some solutions?'" J. Thomas Goodwin, chief financial officer for Grand Ledge Public Schools, told the Journal.

Michigan's per-pupil funding system, combined with a dwindling state population, is putting pressure on school budgets, the article said.

Among their ideas are statewide or regional labor contracts; statewide payroll systems; a statewide health insurance pool and competitive bidding for insurance; and changes in the process of allocating certain state funds to align with the districts' varying costs, the Journal reported.

SOURCE:
Lansing State Journal, "Educators searching for answers to money woes," June 22, 2009

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "The Six Habits of Fiscally Responsible School Districts," Dec. 3, 2002

APPLYING ECONOMICS TO ED RESEARCH

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University has received a $5 million grant to train education researchers in economics, according to a press release from the university and Education Week magazine.

The doctoral program will focus on methods of studying longitudinal data to show whether and how school funding, class size, teachers' educational training and other factors relate to student performance, the release said.

"There is a need to improve these methods so the educational community can get better estimates of the associations between policy variables and student outcomes," Robert Floden, a professor in the College of Education, said in the release. The program will bring together faculty with expertise in K-12 education, economics, labor, quantitative measurement and teacher education.

SOURCES:
Michigan State University, "MSU trains scholars to tackle educational issues - with economics," June 16, 2009

Education Week, "Michigan State to train ed researchers in economics," June 19, 2009

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Special Effects: Flawed Report on Film Incentives Provides Distorted Lens," June 12, 2009

DPS, DOUG ROSS TALK PARTNERSHIP

DETROIT - The emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools and the head of some of the city's most successful charter schools are talking about a joint project at DPS' Mumford High School, The Detroit News reported.

The News said that Robert Bobb, DPS emergency financial manager, and Doug Ross, founder of the University Prep Schools, raised the possibility at "Education 911," a panel presentation hosted by the Michigan Chronicle.

Ross is superintendent of University Prep High School, a charter public school that promises to graduate 90 percent of its students and send 90 percent to college, according to the report. He also is a Mumford High graduate.

"The good news is that we're both at the table," Bobb said, according to The News. "We're committed."

Keith Johnson, president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers and also a panelist, declined comment because he was unaware of the talks, The News said. He did say that the teachers in any joint venture would have to be represented by the union, The News reported.

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "DPS looks at partnership with charter school founder," June 18, 2009

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Another U Prep charter to open," May 22, 2009

WHITEFORD EXPANDS FOOD PRIVATIZATION

OTTAWA LAKE, Mich. - Four cafeteria workers employed by Whiteford Agricultural Schools in Monroe County will be transferred to the company that manages the district's food services, but a union official predicted a lawsuit over the move, according to The Toledo Blade.

The district budget calls for $6.5 million in spending in 2009- 2010, but only $5.9 million in revenue, The Blade reported. The district will close the gap by laying off staff, privatizing the food service workers and spending down fund equity.

"All Michigan schools are in the same boat," said Herb Gabehart, interim superintendent of the 740-student district, according to The Blade.

Mike Baumann, a Michigan Education Association representative, said the decision breaks a promise made to food service employees in 2006 which guaranteed them employment until they quit or retired, The Blade reported.

The transfer of the cafeteria workers to Sodexo will affect their retirement plan, according to The Blade.

SOURCE:
The Toledo Blade, "Whiteford Agricultural district trims staff, cuts hours," June 17, 2009

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Privatization numbers up again," Aug. 19, 2008

MEA WANTS ISD TO TURN OVER FUND EQUITY

WATERFORD, Mich. - School employee groups and Michigan Education Association leaders want Oakland Schools to turn over more of its fund equity to local districts, according to a report in The Oakland Press.

Union representatives said at a budget hearing recently that Oakland Schools should send more money to local schools for direct instruction, rather than save it for emergencies or improvement projects, The Press reported.

But Oakland trustees said they already cut the intermediate district's general operating fund reserve from 10 percent to 5 percent of the budget on behalf of local districts, according to the report. They also said that intermediate-level programs and services help local districts save money.

Robert Moore, deputy superintendent of finance, said Oakland Schools will receive about $240 million less in property taxes during the next five years, according to The Press.

MEA Secretary Treasurer Peggy McClellan told the board, "We are here for one simple reason, to urge you to use the resources you have so our students don't suffer cuts to programs and services they so desperately need," The Press reported.

SOURCE:
The Oakland Press, "Struggling school districts ask for cut of rainy day funds," June 16, 2009

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Intermediate School Districts: Innovations that are Past Their Prime," July 9, 2007

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
Wed., March 17, 2010
"Detroit Public Schools will end up with 100 fewer school buildings than it had in 2006 if a new closure plan is carried out." >>
Tue., March 16, 2010
"Most of the country's public schools would have more freedom under a proposed rewrite of the No Child Left Behind law." >>
Tue., March 16, 2010
"Reading scores improved in all grades, and math scores in most grades, while science and social studies scores dipped slightly on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests taken in fall of 2009." >>
Mon., March 15, 2010
"Some parents who attended a South Redford School District forum recently called on teachers to make wage or benefit concessions as a way to protect school programs." >>
Sun., March 14, 2010
"An ambitious proposal to overhaul Detroit Public Schools ran into opposition Thursday over the issue of dissolving the school board and allowing Mayor Dave Bing to take charge." >>
Sat., March 13, 2010
"At least 14 public school districts in the Muskegon area offer some type of alternative education, either on their own or through a consortium, but the programs are under both budget and academic pressure." >>
Fri., March 12, 2010
"Michigan voters may see a ballot initiative in August asking them to approve a sales tax on services, with the understanding that their approval would also mean education spending reform, the chairman of the House Education Committee said Wednesday." >>
User Comments
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 >>
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
Specifically, 81 percent of students in religiously affiliated schools and 82 percent of students in other private schools have parents who report being "very satisfied" with their schools, compared to 55 percent of students in assigned public schools and 63 percent of students in chosen public schools.

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.

http://fitt.in >>