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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
October 3, 2006

Contents of this issue:
  • DPS enrollment drops 19,000
  • S.C.S. Lakeview settles contract
  • Legislation addresses illegal teacher strikes
  • Gull Lake teachers contract hinges on insurance
  • Parents concerned about padded room
  • Oakland County schools save money with competitive contracting
DPS ENROLLMENT DROPS 19,000
DETROIT — Initial estimates show enrollment in Detroit Public Schools is down about 19,000 students compared to the start of the 2005-2006 school year, according to the Detroit Free Press.

An unofficial count puts DPS at 110,000 students. Count day, which was held on Sept. 27, is part of a formula that determines how much per-pupil funding is given to public school districts. Detroit school administrators earlier said enrollment could have been down by as much as 25,000 after a teachers strike delayed the start of classes, the Free Press reported. The Detroit Federation of Teachers union conducted an illegal 16-day strike, denying instruction to students for several days.

Detroit schools used free food, gift certificates and other prizes to entice students to attend school on count day, according to the Free Press.

The state spends $7,459 for every student enrolled in DPS, the Free Press reported. A drop in enrollment could mean school closures and employee layoffs.

Cindy Lang, principal at Clark Elementary School, said she would lose two staff members if enrollment remained low. As of last week, 427 students were in class, down from 462 a year ago.

"We have to get on the phone," Lang told the Free Press.

SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, "Prizes get kids to schools," Sept. 28, 2006
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006609280326

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Detroit enrollment could fall 25,000," Sept. 26, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7946

Michigan Education Digest, "Classes resume after Detroit teachers end illegal strike," Sept. 19, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7934

S.C.S. LAKEVIEW SETTLES CONTRACT
ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. — The St. Clair Shores Lakeview school board voted 7-0 recently to approve a five-year contract that gives teachers 3 percent raises per year and keeps in place less costly health insurance, according to the St. Clair Shores Sentinel.

The contract, which runs through the 2008-2009 school year, is retroactive to 2004, when the previous one expired, the Sentinel reported. Since that time, the Lakeview school board voted to implement a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO that the district estimated was $500,000 a year less expensive than insurance offered by the Michigan Education Special Services Association. MESSA is a third-party administrator affiliated with the Michigan Education Association union. MESSA acts as a middleman, and repackages health insurance for school districts. The board in 2005 also voted to sign a competitive contract for custodial work, worth another $500,000 in savings, according to the Sentinel.

"I sincerely hope that much of the acrimony will fade and we can channel all our efforts in the right direction," school board Vice President Donald Wheaton said. "It's been a really tough couple of years."

Wheaton and three other board members survived a recall effort earlier this year.

"It is a big relief for all teachers to have this destructive time come to an end, but we cannot forget what we have been through," Jane Cassady, president of the Lakeview Teachers Union, told the Sentinel.

The district and union met approximately three dozen times, for more than 100 hours, in bargaining sessions, the Sentinel reported. Contract talks included fact-finding, mediation, unfair labor charges and court proceedings.

SOURCE:
St. Clair Shores Sentinel, "Lakeview settles contract dispute," Sept. 20, 2006
http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Articles/09-27-06/SE-LAKEVIEW.asp

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Privatization Report, "School board members survive recall," July 26, 2006
http://www.mackinac.org/7845

Michigan Education Report, "Labor struggles continue for SCS Lakeview district," March 7, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7619

LEGISLATION ADDRESSES ILLEGAL TEACHER STRIKES
LANSING, Mich. — House Bill 6528, introduced last month, would require school districts to immediately report teacher strikes to the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, as well as give parents authority to report a strike if a school board fails to do so, according to MichiganVotes.org.

Teachers cannot strike under Michigan law, and can face fines for each day they fail to report for work, the Detroit Free Press reported.

HB 6528 would shorten to seven days the time in which the MERC can determine a strike is taking place, according to the Free Press, and allow the commission to begin fining teachers. The current window is 60 days.

Detroit Public Schools did not file the appropriate paperwork with the MERC while the Detroit Federation of Teachers union conducted an illegal strike in early September, according to the Free Press.

Current law requires an individual hearing be held for each striking teacher. The Free Press reported that none of Detroit's 7,000 teachers have been fined following two illegal strikes in recent years.

"What this does is it gets the process moving faster so that kids are getting their education," the bill's sponsor, Rep. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township, told the Free Press. Pavlov also said he thinks the Detroit strike would have been "wiped out very early," had teachers been fined.

Detroit Federation of Teachers President Janna Garrison told the Free Press, "Just because it's the law doesn't make it right," when asked if a new law would prevent future union strikes.

SOURCES:
MichiganVotes.org, "2006 House Bill 6528 (Revise teacher strike ban law)"
http://www.michiganvotes.org/2006-HB-6528

Detroit Free Press, "Bill would speed up fines in teacher strikes," Sept. 21, 2006
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006609210400

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Classes resume after Detroit teachers end illegal strike," Sept. 19, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7934

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Teachers' Strikes, Court Orders and Michigan Law," Sept. 11, 2006
http://www.mackinac.org/7922

GULL LAKE TEACHERS CONTRACT HINGES ON INSURANCE
RICHLAND, Mich. — Teachers in the Gull Lake Community Schools could receive 3.5 percent raises if they would agree to pay a portion of their own health care costs, according to The Battle Creek Enquirer.

"We're committed to getting staff salaries increased," Gull Lake school board President Deb Ryan told The Enquirer. "We're looking at different insurances that would allow us to save on insurance, and those savings would be put in the salary increase."

The district wants to switch to a Health Savings Account through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Teachers currently have health insurance through the Michigan Education Special Services Association, a third-party administrator affiliated with the Michigan Education Association union.

"We're willing to make concessions (within the MESSA program) to make this more feasible," Joyce Gibson, president of the Gull Lake Education Association union, told The Enquirer. "A health savings account is not an option."

SOURCE:
The Battle Creek Enquirer, "Some teachers still without contracts," Sept. 26, 2006
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/NEWS01/609260307/1002

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Blue Cross and MESSA," Sept. 6, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7907

Michigan Education Digest, "Pinckney teachers voluntarily abandon MESSA," Feb. 7, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7585

Michigan Education Digest, "CMU saves millions without MESSA," April 11, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7677

PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT PADDED ROOM
HOWELL, Mich. — A padded room that locks from the outside has parents of special-needs students upset with the Livingston Education Service Agency, according to The Detroit News.

The room, which measures 5 feet by 5 feet and has a peep hole, was built inside the new $5 million Pathway School, which serves about 100 students in Livingston's five public school districts. Parents recently asked the LESA board to padlock or remove the structure until policies can be developed and staff is trained, The News reported.

A 13-member parent advisory committee was never told about the room, even though they were shown plans for the new building and given monthly construction updates, The News reported.

LESA Superintendent Sally Vaughn told The News the room would only be used to calm students who pose a threat to themselves or others, and only as part of a student's "individual education plan," to which parents must agree.

The Michigan State Board of Education is reviewing the use of such rooms statewide, according to The News.

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "Parents air fears about school room," Sept. 21, 2006
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006609210417

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Punishment box removed from Marshall school," May 16, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7704

OAKLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS SAVE MONEY WITH COMPETITIVE CONTRACTING
CLAWSON, Mich. — Several school districts in southern Oakland County have been able to save money by signing competitive contracts for food services and school principals, according to the Royal Oak Mirror.

Jim Nolan, superintendent of Clawson schools, told the Mirror the district saves about $70,000 a year by contracting for two principal positions, and $6,000 a year with a contract for cafeteria management.

"Every $1,000 we save, that's that much more we can put into the school district," Nolan said.

The Royal Oak, Berkley and Ferndale school districts also contract for food services, to varying degrees. Royal Oak, as does Clawson, contracts for cafeteria management, while Berkley and Ferndale contract for the entire operation.

SOURCE:
The Royal Oak Mirror, "Finding ways to save," Sept. 15, 2006
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060915/NEWS/609150309/1035/NEWS18

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Competitive contracting spreading," Sept. 6, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7899

Michigan Education Report, "Competitive contracting grows despite myths," Sept. 6, 2006
http://www.educationreport.org/7900

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST is a service of Michigan Education Report (http://www.educationreport.org), a quarterly newspaper with a circulation of 150,000 published by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy (http://www.mackinac.org), a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational institute.

Contact Managing Editor Ted O'Neil at
mailto:med@educationreport.org

To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to
http://www.educationreport.org/pubs/mer/listserver.aspx?Source=wwwMED
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 >>