Comments on: AAPS Board Lambastes Education Legislation

By: Christine Stead

Christine Stead — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:22:26 +0000

Ruth is correct about the decreases in kindergarten students. This was passed as a short-term cost-savings measure that phases in over three years. The savings estimates are part of the bill that was passed (~$1.5million/year).

As with everything else Snyder has done with education legislation – this isn’t about what is best for kids. This is about spending as little as possible on education.

By: Ruth Kraut

Ruth Kraut — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:18:56 +0000

I’m sorry, I should have said that the number of kids enrolling in kindergarten would go down by 1/12.

By: Ruth Kraut

Ruth Kraut — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:18:06 +0000

1. So this past year, kindergarten students who were five by Dec. 1 could start school–for the next three years, as they move the dates back, doesn’t that mean that the number of kids in the grade will go down by about 11/12?

2. So there were no responses to the parent complaining about the child being bullied? That seems unsatisfactory. In any case–shouldn’t it be the bully-er who has to move schools?

3. The House education committee recessed today and is scheduled to meet tomorrow (Wednesday). Many thanks to Christine Stead and Steve Norton for keeping on top of the state bills. In addition to visiting the Michigan Parents for Schools web site (mipfs.org), there is a new organization, Michigan for Quality Schools, also worth checking out (miqualityschools.net).

By: Dave Cahill

Dave Cahill — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:24:09 +0000

Snyder’s war on public education show that when you vote for a Republican, you get a Republican every single time!

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:12:49 +0000

I sometimes wonder what public institutions Eric admires. Haven’t heard of one yet.

I don’t have and never had children but I voted for that county-wide school millage that failed because I get it. Our civilization depends on education of the young. This move to charter schools will lead to atomization of all our shared experience and values. It is frightening.

By: David

David — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 03:23:45 +0000

Eric,

You are aware, aren’t you, that operating millages are not subject to voter approval/disapproval and have not been for nearly 20 years?

So much for your rant.

By: A2Person

A2Person — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:36:18 +0000

I certainly hope the AAPS leads a county-wide movement for another millage attempt. As a parent of two kids in the schools, having seen class sizes rise and rise, and resources dwindle, and no end in sight in the assault on Public Schools coming from Lansing, I will champion such an attempt wholeheartedly. If my kids are my “self-interest,” so be it. But I would submit that it is in the interest of the whole community to have well-funded schools. They could eliminate ALL of Balas and it would not solve the structural deficit. Lansing needs to stop stealing from the School Aid fund and get their priorities straight.

And, by the way, as the House Education Committee is meeting first thing tomorrow morning to try to push through yet more bills to dismantle public education (see Michigan Parents for Schools site for more info), here are the republican education committee members (cut and paste!) — tell them what you think! LisaLyons@house.mi.gov; ThomasHooker@house.mi.gov; HughCrawford@house.mi.gov; TomMcMillin@house.mi.gov; RayFranz@house.mi.gov; KurtHeise@house.mi.gov; KurtHeise@house.mi.gov; AricNesbitt@house.mi.gov; MargaretOBrien@house.mi.gov; AmandaPrice@house.mi.gov; DebShaughnessy@house.mi.gov; KenYonker@house.mi.gov; JonBumstead@house.mi.gov

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:26:38 +0000

With state support declining, the monopoly on publicly funded day care, aka K12 education, drawing to an end and another huge budget deficit looming what will AAPS do? Reduce the reserve again? Of course. Do anything serious about their absurdly bloated cost structure? Of course not. Stop squandering on Don Quixote projects like reducing the racial achievement gaps? Of course not. Shaft the tax payers with new and/or increased millages? Of course!
Probably they will try to slip one through in the spring election with low expected turnout. They will butter up their usual constituencies, the teachers and other unions, PTA, gullible UM students. People who do not want another big tax increase should be ready to squack.
The recent library millage defeat provides one hopeful note. At first many thought approval would be a push over. The squanderites were organized and funded while those opposed were just scattered individuals. Then suddenly organized and funded opposition groups appeared and turned the apple cart upside down. Hopefully it will happen again if AAPS tries to pull another fast one.