Grade school......... to Higher Grades....through
to Graduation...
To THINK OUT OF THE BOX !
MICHIGAN'S Legislature took a Bold, forward step Saturday Night-
-19 Dec. 2009
Sunday's Macomb Daily pg 1A- 2A has an article by Tim Martin AP /
...the "broad legislation--which also raises the state's dropout age from 16 to 18 and ties teacher
evaluation to student test scores--will be signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm"
This work which seemed to stall Friday Night over Charter Schools was resolved by the legislature before the end of December; thus allowing the state to apply for the President's Race to the Top program. Every State can apply; applications must be in by an unspecified, at this typing, date in January. Fewer that 1/2 of those applying will receive an $$$$. Though there is no guarantee that Michigan will receive any of the money from the program, many in our legislature believe that some of the Reforms passes on Saturday have been talked about for years.
That this program gave a sense of urgency to the Legislature and precipitated actions to reform our educational outlook and direction if a fact.
"The package has five main bills, most of which were hastily written and drew opposition from members of both the Republican-led Senate and Democratic-led House."
To read the article in it's entirety see: www.maconbdaily.com "Sweeping education changes OK'd" pg 1A
Other School Districts Across Michigan are dealing with cuts, Budget problems, & proposed solutions; they cannot afford to wait as the 2nd semester is slated to begin in January 2010, and programs with funding must be in place for a smooth transition to the end of school in June 2010.
...The Sunday Free Press presents an article " Metro schools buckle under funding cuts" www.freep.com
by: Lori Higgins FR Education writer
All county school districts are moving toward funding solutions, some made through staff, program & other cuts. The school districts talked about in this article are:
"...Dearborn Public Schools--121 instructions staff, 74 non-instructional staff laid-off last week"
"...Southfield Public Schools--no staff cuts this school year, but it is dealing with the mid-year cuts by
freezing spending on over-time and travel. Vacant positions are going unfilled, and expense requests
are being scrutinized--anything not considered essential is being denied. ..that includes rejecting some
dilapidated lunch room tables."
"...Birmingham Public Schools==freezing hiring and spending except in emergency situations. also
implementing a pay-to-plug program in which staff must pay an annual stipend to keep things such
as fans, microwaves,and mini-refrigerators for their personal use."
"...some districts, including Rochester Community Schools, and Troy School District are using their fund
balance, a quasi rainy-day fund, to cover district the funding=loss in both districts..."
"...Warren Consolidated Schools Board of Education--approved funding cuts last week of about $1,54 M for
this school year--cuts that include laying off some staff--closing Warner Educ. Center
& Pfromm Educ. Center; reducing some extracurricular activities, all overtime except in emergencies,
& closing all K-8 buildings for community use after 6 P.m."
"...Walled Lake Consolidated Schools--originally laid off 30 employees. But last week, the layoffs were
rescinded, thanks to employee unions that initiated an agreement to have scheduled pay increases for
the first half of 2010.."
"...up-date on Utica Public Schools-the Board of Educ. approved $4.3 M in middle-of-the-year cuts
last week--40 layoffs, costs for supplies,equipment, & overtime. It is asking he staff to take voluntary
three-day furloughs."
In another item: the Detroit Public Schools teacher union has ratified their contract -3,578 to 2,031.
This is the form of a "loan" to the district as a $250 pre-tax deduction per each bi-weekly check starting in January. the particulars are discussed in an AP report in : www.macombdaily.com Metro & State Section/pg 4A "Detroit teachers ratify contract"
Michigan school districts and, for the most part, staff have stepped up to the plate for our students.
No one can enjoy or like what has happened in this state; But, with this group [School Districts, Staff, & non-instructional employees] , all the country can see just why so many of us say:
"Don't Write Michigan Off So Soon-we are motivated here & we will recoup"
The Michigan movements are coming fast & furious; I'll keep you updated.
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