money

With one participant already claiming the discussions had reached an impasse as Republicans reportedly advocated for more reductions and Democrats allegedly pushing for enhanced revenues, this week saw the rhetoric intensify. Going into the discussions, participants had agreed to keep the content of the meetings to themselves until a final agreement had been reached. And, while those ground rules have generally been followed by the key players in the process, some details of the talks have emerged with both sides publicly encouraging the other to be more forthright in providing details on their plans.

Despite nearly a month of closed door meetings on the issue, participants in the high-level budget discussions admit a final solution to close the projected deficit remains elusive. Sources agree the major stumbling block is how the new spending plan will treat anticipated reductions to the Michigan Promise Grant—the scholarship program for qualifying Michigan college students which the Senate Republicans eliminated in their version of the budget—and cuts in revenue sharing. However, it also appears the two sides have differing views on the size of the gap facing them, which portends to become an even larger hurdle than the two identified obstacles.

Time for a pause

I remember an article I wrote at the end of my year as president of our association. It was about those few minutes between the end of one school year and the start of the next. It’s that time when you say good-bye to the students and teachers leaving for their summer break, and that awaiting meeting to discuss next year issues. There is that minute or two, without pressure to “get it done” that you get to reflect on the past year.

Well, this is my pause.

It says wise use must be made of federal stimulus money

Lansing State Journal
Kathleen Lavey
July 23, 2009

Michigan is one of 17 states in a "make or break" position as the U.S. strives to improve high school graduation rates, according to a nationwide report released Wednesday.

But the report also says the state - along with Ohio and California - is in a good spot to boost graduation rates if local school districts take advantage of federal stimulus money and other resources as well as tailoring solutions to their individual needs.

Response due Friday; 40 schools changing

BY CHASTITY PRATT DAWSEY
FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITER

Detroit Public Schools is requiring 2,600 employees -- about one out of every five districtwide -- to reapply for positions just six weeks before the school year is set to begin.

DPS declared the positions at 40 school buildings vacant on Tuesday and said staff had until the end of the week to respond.

The schools -- many of which also are to get new principals -- are being reconstituted because of failure to meet state annual yearly progress standards for several years.

East Lansing -- College students are expected to gather at Michigan State University on Wednesday in support of a state-funded scholarship that helps them pay tuition bills.

The Michigan Senate has voted to eliminate funding for the Michigan Promise scholarship in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1. Gov. Jennifer Granholm's administration wants to save at least a portion of the program that now provides up to $4,000 per student to help offset tuition costs.

About 96,000 students heading into school this fall are expecting a portion of the scholarship money.

The scholarship is in danger because of Michigan's growing state budget problems.

The Michigan State University College Democrats are helping to organize Wednesday's rally.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
By Mitch Hotts, Macomb Daily Staff Writer

East Detroit Public Schools has been forced to eliminate one quarter of its athletic program due to budget issues, wiping out numerous freshman programs including football, soccer and baseball.

Faced with a $3.9 million budget deficit, the school board last week took action to dump freshman sports and sideline cheerleading, and will combine the Oakwood and Kelly middle school programs into one team in each sport.

The move, part of the district's deficit elimination plan, saves the Eastpointe-based district about $128,000, according to Superintendent Bruce Kefgen.

June 26, 2009
BY GINA DAMRON
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Southfield Public Schools administrators are voluntarily taking salary reductions in light of the district's budget deficits, Superintendent Wanda Cook-Robinson announced Thursday.

More than 60 members of the district's administrative team will take 2% pay cuts, including Cook-Robinson, central office staff members, principals and assistant principals, she said at a news conference.

The concessions by administrators -- which come as the district faces a more than $5-million operational deficit going into the 2009-10 fiscal year -- amount to about $225,000 in savings.

The cuts will allow the district to save two administrative jobs.

If any single event triggered the creation of the school-funding ballot measure Proposal A in the mid-1990s, it was the boarding up of the tiny Kalkaska school system in Northern Michigan.

In 1993, unable to pass a local operating mileage, the district continued to operate until it ran out of money and then it produced nationwide headlines by closing.

Is there a Kalkaska II sitting out there today?

If you ask the lobbyist for the Middle Cities School Association (MCSA) the answer is a resounding yes. With the Senate Republicans passing a Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 budget that cuts districts by $100 per pupil, school officials are becoming increasingly concerned about their futures.

Poll reveals Michiganians disagree with lawmakers on priorities in next year's budget.
Karen Bouffard / Detroit News Lansing Bureau