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Grand Rapids district parts ways with school board associations

Board saves $17,000 by forgoing memberships

Sun., November 17, 2002

The Grand Rapids school board voted this October to forgo membership in the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) and the National Association of School Boards (NASB), saving over $17,000 in district funds.

The MASB is the state's largest organization of school board members. Membership in the MASB allows school boards to obtain membership in the National Association of School Boards. The Grand Rapids district is one of the few districts in the state to opt out of MASB and NASB.

The close 5-4 vote came after board member Jeff Steinport voiced his concern over sending taxpayer funds to an organization that did little for the board, especially in light of last year's $1.6 million school budget deficit.

"It is wrong for the board to spend this money while the district cries poverty," Steinport told Michigan Education Report. "There are better uses for $17,000."

However, opposing board members felt the association memberships benefited the board by providing services such as legal assistance and by offering networking opportunities. They also worried that the decision might damage perception of the district, since the majority of Michigan school boards participate in the associations.

Board President Jim Rinck told the Grand Rapids Press he thought the vote was "amazingly short-sighted" adding, "I can't imagine how it will help us to make us look like isolationists. This is going to cost us a heck of a lot more in terms of reputation and effectiveness."

But Steinport disagreed, saying membership in the associations provided few useful services to the board and constituted an irresponsible use of school funding that could be spent in the classroom.

"Our legal title is 'Trustee,' and we're entrusted with taxpayer dollars," Steinport said. "This is one of the line items the board spends on itself, and I don't see the benefit when all the association lobbies for is status."

The MASB is one of many resource organizations open to school board members around the state. One alternative is the Michigan School Board Leaders Association (MSBLA). MSBLA dues are $25 per school board member.

For more information on MASB, visit www.masb.org.

For more information on MSBLA, visit www.msbla.org.

Michigan Education Daily
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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>.


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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/


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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 >>