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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
February 2, 2010

Contents of this issue:

  • Granholm: Change pensions to save money
  • Students protest layoffs, seniority
  • 'Give back' saves jobs
  • Schools team up on custodial bids
  • Districts eye security upgrades

GRANHOLM: CHANGE PENSIONS TO SAVE MONEY

LANSING, Mich. - In a bid to reduce state spending by up to $450 million, Gov. Jennifer Granholm has proposed modifying the pension and health care plans for future school and state retirees, but also would offer an incentive to current employees to retire this summer, according to media reports.

Speaking to the Lansing Rotary Club, Gov. Granholm said employees with at least 30 years of experience who retire between July and September would get a pension boost ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per year, according to reports in the Lansing State Journal and The Oakland Press.

But she also proposed cutting spending by requiring employees to contribute more to their own pensions and by cutting retiree dental and vision benefits, the Journal reported.

Granholm also suggested consolidating school districts and services, and aligning the school and state budget years, The Press reported. The proposals would require legislative approval.

Michigan Education Association spokesman Doug Pratt called the retirement incentive "pretty tiny" and a "political game and gimmick," the Journal reported.

SOURCES:
Lansing State Journal, "Retirees from schools get boost, but others to see cut in benefits," Jan. 30, 2010

The Oakland Press, "Granholm proposes retirement plan to cut costs," Jan. 29, 2010

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Public Pension Plans Need to Reflect Reality," Jan. 3, 2006

STUDENTS PROTEST LAYOFFS, SENIORITY

PONTIAC, Mich. - Students rallied outside Pontiac High School last week to protest the layoffs of 15 teachers, but comments made by one student to The Macomb Daily suggested that the youths also disagreed with teacher seniority rules.

"The young, motivated teachers that are gone are the ones that actually cared about us," Ravon Williams, 17, told The Daily.

"The ones that got to stay because of seniority, because of a contract, are the ones that aren't so patient with us and can't relate to us."

Williams, former class president, organized the gathering of about 200 students outside the high school on Friday, according to The Daily.

Robert Martin, the district's chief deputy for strategic reform, confirmed that 15 teachers were laid off at the end of the first semester, The Daily reported.

The protesting students gathered outside the high school before school, and the building was put on lockdown after other students began leaving the school between classes to join them, according to The Daily. It was unclear whether the students would be punished, The Daily reported.

SOURCE:
The Macomb Daily, "Students protest in Pontiac," Jan. 30, 2010

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "A Teacher Quality Primer: Discretion in Hiring," June 30, 2008

'GIVE BACK' SAVES JOBS

MOUNT PLEASANT - Custodians in Mount Pleasant Public Schools are turning back part of their earnings to the district as a way to save the jobs of four colleagues, according to The (Mount Pleasant) Morning Sun. Separately, bus drivers and support staff have ratified new contracts that include wage schedule freezes and insurance changes.

The Sun reported that the district avoided laying off four custodians when their coworkers agreed to "give back" five hours of pay per week toward health insurance costs.

In related news, the wage schedules for bus drivers and support staff members will be frozen for one year and two years, respectively, though any workers who are not at the top of the schedule still will receive step increases, according to The Sun.

To pay for those increases, workers agreed to switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plans administered through the Michigan Education Special Services Association. MESSA is an affiliate of the Michigan Education Association.

Peter Tresize, assistant superintendent for human resources, told The Sun that MESSA rates came in lower when compared to another carrier. The article did not name the district's current insurance provider.

SOURCE:
The (Mount Pleasant) Morning Sun, "School workers take freezes," Feb. 2, 2010

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Are Schools Underfunded?" Nov. 23, 2009

SCHOOLS TEAM UP ON CUSTODIAL BIDS

MIDLAND, Mich. - Three public school districts and an intermediate district are jointly seeking bids from private custodial firms, though one official said that doesn't necessarily mean the districts will privatize the work, the Midland Daily News reported.

Administrators told the Daily News that they want to learn more about potential cost savings of outsourcing.

"Given the financial state that our districts are in and the pessimistic outlook for next year, we're being forced to look at every possible way to reduce our costs," Meridian Public Schools Superintendent Doug Fillmore told the Daily News.

Nearby Midland Public Schools already has outsourced its custodial work.

SOURCE:
Midland Daily News, "County schools consider contracting custodial work," Jan. 28, 2010

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "School Privatization Survey 2009," Dec. 7, 2009

DISTRICTS EYE SECURITY UPGRADES

DETROIT - Surveillance cameras, secured entryways, swipe cards and enhanced alarm systems are the new face of school security in metro Detroit, according to a report in The Detroit News.

In an overview of current and planned security systems in a number of school districts, The News reported plans ranging from reconfiguring front entrances to adding surveillance cameras to locking doors and using a "swipe card" entry system.

In some districts, upgrades depend on the outcome of bond proposals, according to The News. In Chippewa Valley Schools, for example, the district is asking voters to approve an $89 million bond next month, part of which would be used to install surveillance cameras in four middle and 12 elementary schools, The News reported.

Chippewa Valley High School Principal Jerry Davisson told The News that existing cameras in the high schools have reduced bullying, vandalism, fighting and theft.

Ken Trump, a Cleveland-based school security consultant, told The News that new equipment alone is not sufficient unless schools also include staff and student body training.

One school board member told The News that while it's important that children feel safe, some devices such as metal detectors can make them feel they are entering a prison rather than a school.

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "Metro Detroit schools step up security," Jan. 29, 2010

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Schools beef up video surveillance," Oct. 30, 2008

MICHIGAN EDUATION 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
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 >>