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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
November 10, 2009

Contents of this issue:

  • Judge: Flint can leave MESSA
  • Universities pay for Promise
  • U Prep charter to pay for college
  • Teacher elected to school board
  • Voters reject Washtenaw school tax

JUDGE: FLINT CAN LEAVE MESSA

FLINT, Mich. - Flint Community Schools can change health insurance providers despite teacher protests, a Genesee County judge has ruled, according to The Flint Journal.

Judge Joseph Farah said that the district is within its rights to end its current contract with the Michigan Education Special Services Association, an insurance administrator affiliated with the Michigan Education Association, and instead purchase insurance from HealthPlus of Michigan.

United Teachers of Flint had sought to block the move, saying the switch would constitute a change in benefits. The district contended that the new program provides the same benefits at a lower cost, according to The Journal.

Teachers told The Journal they are concerned their health care benefits will be reduced, but a district spokesman said they have no plan to change coverage levels.

"When the district set out about trying to review its options, its goal was to provide the same coverage for all teachers at a more manageable cost," said Bob Campbell, spokesperson for the district, The Journal reported. The new health plan is expected to save up to $3 million.

The union and district currently are negotiating over a new employment contract; a fact finder was scheduled to hear evidence in that case this week, according to The Journal.

SOURCE:
The Flint Journal, "Judge says Flint school district can switch insurance providers," Oct. 30, 2009

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "It's up to school boards to save insurance dollars," Nov. 14, 2007

UNIVERSITIES PAY FOR PROMISE

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - At least four state universities have announced they will pick up part of the tab for rescinded Michigan Promise Scholarships, according to The Grand Rapids Press.

Ferris State University will use $1.15 million in federal stimulus dollars to cover $500 in tuition assistance that each eligible student would have received from the state this fall, but did not, due to state budget cuts.

Saginaw Valley State University will use $700,000 in non- stimulus dollars to cover Promise costs for about 1,400 students and Michigan State University is using $6 million of its $7.9 million stimulus dollars for about 8,000 students, The Press reported.

Ferris President David Eisler said the college originally planned to use the stimulus money for a $5 per-credit hour rebate for all in-state students, according to The Press.

The University of Michigan will cover Promise funding for 1,662 students who also qualified for other financial aid, though about 4,300 students will have to cover the cost themselves, according to The Press.

At Grand Valley State University, about 7,300 students are absorbing the Promise scholarship loss on their own, as well as decreased funding through the Michigan Competitive Scholarship program, The Press reported.

"This was the state's promise," GVSU spokesman Matt McLogan told The Press. "It was never Grand Valley's promise."

SOURCE:
The Grand Rapids Press, "Ferris State using federal stimulus intended for student rebate to cover Michigan Promise scholarships," Nov. 9, 2009

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "How to Control College Costs," Dec. 8, 2008

U PREP CHARTER TO PAY FOR COLLEGE

DETROIT - University Preparatory High School, a charter public school in Detroit, will pay nearly the full cost of the first year of college for any of its 124 seniors who are eligible, the Detroit Free Press reported.

In the past, the school has assisted its graduates financially, but now it will pay all but $2,500 in costs for one year at any public Michigan university, according to the Free Press. Parents must agree to pay $2,500 through a subsidized loan as a way of showing responsibility for the students' education, the Free Press reported.

Students who choose a private or out-of-state school will receive a $5,000 scholarship, the Free Press reported. The school calls the program a reward for seniors who pledged four years ago to graduate from high school and college and then return to help Detroit rebuild.

Calling themselves Detroit's Great Hope, members of this year's graduating class already have mentored younger students and produced a video about the benefits of education, according to the Free Press.

University Preparatory Academy is managed by the nonprofit organization New Urban Learning. Doug Ross, New Urban chairman, told The Press that the scholarship program is privately funded.

Eligible students must meet specific academic standards in their school-based work, as well as write a senior thesis and successfully complete a college readiness lecture series and study skills training.

SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, "All off to college, and first year free!" Nov. 7, 2009

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

TEACHER ELECTED TO SCHOOL BOARD

PONTIAC, Mich. - A classroom teacher has been elected to the school board in the Pontiac School District, though whether that constitutes a conflict of interest remains a question, according to The Oakland Press.

Mary Barr, a Pontiac Middle School teacher, is one of two new board members who will be seated in January, The Press reported.

The Press asked officials whether her situation was similar to that of a local firefighter who agreed to quit his job in order to retain a seat on the Pontiac City Council.

In response, a spokesman for the state Attorney General's Office said the office has not examined Barr's case, but pointed to an opinion issued in 2005 stating that because a school board has supervisory authority over district employees, simultaneously holding both positions is barred by state statute, The Press reported.

No one has challenged Barr's appointment, and the school board president and vice president told The Press she could abstain from voting on issues that would affect her as an employee, such as the teacher contract.

Barr told The Press that she would deal with any legal issues regarding her appointment at the time they arise.

SOURCE:
The Oakland Press, "Pontiac: Teacher could face conflict as part of school board," Nov. 5, 2009

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Judge: Official can't keep both posts," May 30, 2009

VOTERS REJECT WASHTENAW SCHOOL TAX

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Voters in Washtenaw County turned down a new school tax last week, an outcome that will force area districts to find ways to spend less, an education administrator told AnnArbor.com.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Bill Miller said that he expects some of the 10 local districts in the county to discuss consolidation as a cost-saving plan, but also to request employee concessions and to approve layoffs or program cuts in order to bring spending in line with revenue, the report said.

Voters rejected a 2-mill enhancement millage request that would have required them to pay about $30 million in new tax revenue for distribution among the districts, according to AnnArbor.com.

Miller said consolidation can be "difficult and unappealing" due to differences in debt, employee contracts and per-pupil revenue between the merging districts, according to AnnArbor.com. It also requires voter approval.

Even as individual districts look for ways to spend less, Miller predicted a statewide discussion of education costs, particularly in the areas of employee health care and retirement costs, AnnArbor.com reported.

SOURCE:
AnnArbor.com, "Impact of countywide school millage failure: WISD leader says cuts to school districts are coming," Nov. 5, 2009

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "If Proposal A Ain't Broke ..." Nov. 6, 2009

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "The (False) Hope of School District Consolidation," Oct. 29, 2009

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
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." >>
Thu., March 11, 2010
"All Flint Community Schools administrators, including members of the superintendent's cabinet, are likely to receive layoff notices this spring, though the majority could be back next year." >>
Wed., March 10, 2010
"Sara McLaren is taking a once-in-a-decade opportunity to tie the U.S. Census directly to her civics and social studies curriculum at Niles High School." >>
Wed., March 10, 2010
"Research done by the dean of the University of Michigan school of education was featured at length in a New York Times magazine article recently about training effective teachers." >>
Tue., March 9, 2010
"A public education advocacy group said Monday that Michigan should begin taxing consumer services at 5.5 percent, while reducing the existing sales tax from 6 to 5.5 percent, as a way to generate $550 million for schools in 2011." >>
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 >>