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MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST
September 23, 2008

Contents of this issue:

  • Schools outsource benefit administration
  • DPS intervention possible
  • Grand Haven insurance changes
  • Grand Rapids contract still unresolved

SCHOOLS OUTSOURCE BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION

LELAND, Mich. - Leland Public Schools is among the latest to join a consortium formed to oversee the investments of public school employees, according to the Leelanau Enterprise.

The consortium was formed by 18 intermediate school districts stretching from Sault Ste. Marie to Benton Harbor in response to a federal law that requires districts to track employee investments, even after employees leave, the Enterprise reported.

The districts hired TSA Consulting Group of Florida to administer the program.

SOURCE:
Leelanau Enterprise, "Leland joins school consortium," Sept. 22, 2008

FURTHER READING:

Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Survey 2008: School Service Privatization Grows Again," Sept. 8, 2008

DPS INTERVENTION POSSIBLE

DETROIT - The second state intervention into Detroit Public Schools in 10 years is possible after state Superintendent Mike Flanagan sent Gov. Jennifer Granholm a letter indicating the district has "serious financial problems," according to the Detroit Free Press.

The letter set in motion a process under which Gov. Granholm has 30 days to appoint a team to review the district's finances.

That group would then have 90 days to recommend if an emergency financial manager is needed, the Free Press reported.

SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, "First step taken in possible state takeover of Detroit's troubled school finances," Sept. 17, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "DPS overspending pegged at $408 million for 2009," June 27, 2008

GRAND HAVEN INSURANCE CHANGES

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. - Secretaries in the Grand Haven Public Schools will receive pay raises and another salary step in exchange for agreeing to insurance changes, according to the Grand Haven Tribune.

The bargaining unit, which includes 43 members, agreed to accept Michigan Education Special Services Association Choices II and an increase in prescription co-pays. MESSA is a third-party administrator associated with the Michigan Education Association school employees union that outsources insurance underwriting to Blue Cross Blue Shield, then resells the packages to school districts.

John Thatcher, assistant superintendent for human services, said the co-pay change will save the district enough money to fund half of the salary increases, the Tribune reported.

SOURCE:
Grand Haven Tribune, "GHAPS secretaries to receive pay increase," Sept. 16, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "Health insurance: Reformed, but not resolved," Sept. 16, 2008

GRAND RAPIDS CONTRACT STILL UNRESOLVED

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Public Schools board of education has offered teachers a new contract while also taking steps to prepare in case those teachers strike, according to The Grand Rapids Press.

The board voted 8-1 to give Superintendent Bernard Taylor and board President Catherine Mueller "sweeping powers" in the event of a strike, The Press reported.

"This designates the authority to do whatever we have to do as allowed by law," Mueller told The Press.

The Grand Rapids Education Association teachers union sent letters to substitute teachers in August asking that they not cross the picket line in the event of a strike, according to The Press.

Teacher strikes are illegal under Michigan law.

SOURCE:
The Grand Rapids Press, "Grand Rapids Public Schools teacher contract stalemate takes public turn," Sept. 23, 2008

FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "GRPS board votes 'no confidence' in union; won't collect dues," May 27, 2008

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 Sarah Grether at
mailto:med@educationreport.org

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

Michigan Education Daily
Wed., September 1, 2010
"An aviation school in Michigan is one example of a new generation of public charter schools designed to serve niche audiences." >>
Tue., August 31, 2010
"A 10-year-old Windsor boy who completed part of his education in Michigan is being denied entry to public high school in Windsor even though he's completed the eighth-grade curriculum." >>
Mon., August 30, 2010
"Principal John Hoving is using Facebook as a way to promote Bay City All Saints Central School as well as to head off possible cyber bullying." >>
Sun., August 29, 2010
"Royal Oak Public Schools students will be featured in an Oct. 12 episode of MTV's "If You Really Knew Me," a cable television program that the producer describes as "students trying to be accepted for who they are."" >>
Sat., August 28, 2010
"Public schools in Michigan were offered an automatic "A" on part of their annual state report card this year, a one-time arrangement that may have spared some from being unaccredited." >>
Fri., August 27, 2010
"More than 1,000 teacher retirements will allow Detroit Public Schools to recall all teachers from layoff and hire up to 300 more to fill staffing gaps." >>
Thu., August 26, 2010
"Inland Lakes Schools is considering hiring a private firm to provide custodial services as a way to save money, but a union representative says that new federal funding makes such a move unnecessary." >>
User Comments
carol peterson
education is an all around development for a child
he should be mentally and physically strong


<a href="http://rescueyoursavings.com" rel="dofollow">Savings</a> >>
carol peterson
education is an all around development for a child
he should be mentally and physically strong >>
johnstfu
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Aarowman
Public servants like Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Judges, Secretaries of Various Departments and the like should be first to be compensated for performance.
The idea that the playing field for students is level everywhere is as Quixotic as thinking all politicians are honest and competent.
There are neighborhoods where only Portugese or gang sign language is spoken, where the parents both work two jobs to pay rent, where getting to school and back is more dangerous than Iraq and Afghanastan.
This Secretary of Education has to remove the silver spoon, roll up his sleeves and take his superior intellect attitude into the trenches and show the poor slobs that are taking their teachers jobs for granted how he would do it. Just because his mommy used to help out in Chicago doesn't give him the Congression Medal of Honor. Actually he's a stuffed shirt pretending to know it all.
How much do you want to bet that he wouldn't attempt entering these neighborhoods let alone these schools without security. >>
verdemont resident
This article is tucked away yet is profoundly correct. Parents are pseudo parenting little objects of consumption. Teens, professionals, working moms like the "idea" of a child but are not in for the long haul and everyone loses.

Schools are enabling parents to do precious little. The time parents spend with their children is the only thing that matters. Bussing needs to be cut, school breakfast, lunch, and afterschool care needs to be stopped. Parents will grow that bond by sacrificing the nails, hair, parties, drugs, quads, vacations, etc. and making a lunch for their child and arrangements to be home when the child is out of school. No one is that poor that they can't provide a boloney sandwich, a baggie of pretzels, an apple, 50 cents for a milk, and two cookies each day.

Please respond!

>>
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 >>