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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
November 13, 2007

Contents of this issue:
  • Lansing Christian School parents open store to fund pay raises
  • Teacher resigns over MEAP testing violations
  • Wayne-Westland schools get security upgrade
  • Pinckney teachers satisfied with switch in health insurance
  • Carman-Ainsworth teachers get raises, pay more for prescription
  • Comment and win an iPod
LANSING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL PARENTS OPEN STORE TO FUND PAY RAISES
LANSING, Mich. — Some parents at Lansing Christian School have opened a thrift store with the intention of donating proceeds to fund a pay increase for the school's 53 teachers, according to the Lansing State Journal.

The Hidden Treasures Thrift Store will be run by one full-time and two part-time paid employees, while the rest of the workers will be volunteers. The proceeds from the store, after expenses, will be given to the school, the Journal reported.

Renita Van Solkema, an LCS parent and Hidden Treasures board president, told the Journal that 140 volunteers worked to renovate the store's building and spent $760,000 on the project. Van Solkema said the vision for the store is to become a source of regular funding for the school, according to the Journal.

LCS teachers make less than what is recommended by Christian Schools International for the mid-Michigan area. CSI suggests private Christian schools have a starting salary of $31,000, increasing to $60,000 after 30 years. At LCS the starting salary is $27,000, with the chance of making $40,000 after 30 years. School Superintendent Barry Koops wants to make sure the school continues to bring in good teachers.

"In order to get and to keep great teachers, you really have to be able to pay them so they can make this their life's work," Koops said. "We're committed to the idea that if you want a great school, you must have great teachers."

SOURCE:
Lansing State Journal, "Parent-run thrift store will fund teachers' pay raise," Nov. 10, 2007
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071110/NEWS01/711100334/1001/news

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Private School Costs vs.

Public School Costs," in "The Universal Tuition Tax Credit: A proposal to Advance Parental Choice in Education," Nov. 13, 1997
http://www.mackinac.org/1118

TEACHER RESIGNS AFTER MEAP TESTING VIOLATIONS
LELAND, Mich. — A Northport Public Schools teacher has resigned in an agreement with the district after allegedly committing a handful of violations while administering the Michigan Educational Assessment Program test, according to the Leelanau Enterprise.

Carla Hammersley, who has been teaching at Northport for 15 years, agreed to resign effective in June. She is on leave and will be paid the remainder of her $49,517 annual salary and receive benefits until the end of the school year, the Enterprise reported.

A three-person committee, including Steve Wetherbee, teacher and president of the Northport Education Association union, Sue Boss, a fourth and fifth grade teacher, and Meredith Schmidt, school counselor and district MEAP coordinator, questioned students and Hammersley, and discovered administrative violations, but there was no evidence that she gave any answers to the test, according to the Enterprise.

The violations included providing information to three sixth grade students that may have helped answer a total of five questions, coaching students on writing by recommending the use of certain formats and correcting grammar mistakes, and using a projector to review a persuasive essay immediately before administering writing tests to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students, the Enterprise reported.

SOURCE:
Leelanau Enterprise, "Northport teacher resigns over MEAP violation," Nov. 12, 2007
http://www.leelanaunews.com/blog/2007/11/12/northport-teacher-resigns-over-meap-violation/

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Which Educational Achievement Test is Best for Michigan? A Comparison of the MEAP, SAT-9, and ITBS," Sept. 8, 2002
http://www.mackinac.org/4622

WAYNE-WESTLAND SCHOOLS GET SECURITY UPGRADE
WESTLAND, Mich. — The Wayne-Westland Community Schools are upgrading their video surveillance, according to the Detroit Free Press.

After cameras were installed throughout schools in the district seven years ago, vandalism inside the schools dropped by almost 100 percent, while vandalism outside the buildings dropped by 90 percent. Also, last month a burglar was caught within 24 hours after police were able to examine still images of him from security cameras, the Free Press reported.

The upgrade will cost about $1 million and will include 800 cameras in 26 buildings and in school buses. Superintendent Gregory L. Baracy said the strong security creates a positive learning environment in the 13,600-student district.

"We have a calm presence in our buildings," Baracy told the Free Press. "Our students feel safe and we want to keep it that way."

Half of the funding for the upgrade comes from the U.S. Department of Justice Secure Our Schools program, while the district matched that grant, the Free Press reported.

SOURCE:
The Detroit Free Press, "Schools step up focus on security," Nov. 13, 2007
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/NEWS02/711130317/1001/NEWS

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "The three P's of school safety: parents, prevention, and police," Nov. 1, 2001
http://www.educationreport.org/3134

PINCKNEY TEACHERS SATISFIED WITH SWITCH IN HEALTH INSURANCE
PINCKNEY, Mich. — Pinckney Community Schools teachers are in the midst of contract negotiations with the district, but are satisfied with the conditions of their expired contract, including a change from insurance administered by the Michigan Education Special Services Association, according to the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

The teachers' current contract was two years in length and included a 1.2 percent pay increase the first year and a 2.8 percent increase the second year. Teachers also agreed to purchase health insurance directly from Blue Cross Blue Shield, rather than deal with the MESSA, a third-party administrator affiliated with the Michigan Education Association school employees union. The switch is saving the district $800,000 per year, or about $164 per pupil, and rates for Blue Cross have gone down this year, the Press & Argus reported.

Pinckney Education Association President Mimi Katakowski told the Press & Argus she does not expect a return to insurance administered by MESSA to be discussed during this negotiation cycle.

SOURCE:
Livingston Daily Press & Argus, "Despite expired contract, Pinckney teachers largely happy with status quo," Nov. 8, 2007
http://www.dailypressandargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/NEWS01/711080323/1002

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "MESSA reports $65 million revenue gain in one year," May 24, 2007
http://www.educationreport.org/8493

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Potential Per-Pupil Savings Resulting from Health Benefits Changes Made in Michigan School Districts," March 6, 2007
http://www.mackinac.org/8337

CARMAN-AINSWORTH TEACHERS GET RAISES, PAY MORE FOR PRESCRIPTIONS
FLINT, Mich. — The Carman-Ainsworth teachers union has agreed to a three-year contract that includes pay raises and a slight increase in prescription co-pays, according to The Flint Journal.

Teachers will receive a 2.3 percent pay increase the first and second years and a 1.5 percent increase in the third year. Currently, teachers pay either $5 or $10 in co-pays for prescriptions. This will increase to $10 and $20, respectively.

"It was a very slow process, but by nature you can see because it took us a year to resolve," Linda Wainio, president of the Carman-Ainsworth Education Association, told The Journal. "However, we did reach a settlement that both sides felt they could support."

SOURCE:
The Flint Journal, "Teacher contract earns approval," Nov. 11, 2007
http://www.mlive.com/flint/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1194759471127200.xml&coll=5

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Growing number of districts seek solutions to costly health insurance," Dec. 15, 2005
http://www.educationreport.org/7479

COMMENT AND WIN AN IPOD
MIDLAND, Mich. — Go to http://forum.educationreport.org and post a comment for a chance to win one of three iPods.

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

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mailto:med@educationreport.org

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http://www.educationreport.org/pubs/mer/listserver.aspx?Source=MED

Michigan Education Daily
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." >>
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." >>
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 >>