SpringR eaders2007 sound off Page 3 Insurance savingswww.educationreport.org Page 5 “Teacher wins iPod” Page 13 www.EducationReport.orgMichigan Education Report 

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$3.00 News and analysis for parents, educators and policymakers Spring 2007 Charters Birmingham Public Schools officials say more students each make strides year claim to live in the district, but don’t. The board of educa- on MEAP TESTs tion plans to crack down on those Academies pull closer to state families this year. Residency fraud average; outperform nearby typically happens in areas where academically strong districts border districts in some cases those with lower test scores, the The news that Michigan students per- Detroit Free Press reported. formed better on state standardized tests in 2006 than 2005 made headlines in many papers Utah became the first state to across the state in January — a bright spot in a offer nearly all parents a choice month clouded with news of potential school in their children’s education budget cuts. when Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. The reports followed a Michigan Depart- signed the “Parent Choice in ment of Education announcement that math Education Act” in February. The scores improved at every grade level on Michi- law will provide almost all Utah gan Educational Assessment Program tests, and parents with school-age children reading scores improved or stayed the same. a voucher worth $500 to $3,000, Mike Flanagan, the state’s superintendent of based on parents’ income. The public instruction, attributed the higher scores voucher can be used at private to improved “content expectations” which give schools that disclose teachers’ cre- teachers a clearer picture of what is expected dentials and, among other require- At Home at each grade level. ments, meet certain standards for But public school academy officials see a antidiscrimination, health, safety story within that story. MEAP results also show and achievement testing. that public school academies, or charter schools, More than 5 percent of Mich- improved their overall performance on 19 of 27 igan’s student population, at Delta College tests given to kindergarten through eighth-grad- or about 91,500 students, ers statewide. While charter averages are still now attend charter schools, below statewide averages, the gap is narrower according to this year’s Report Karsten Molitor and Daniel Hinds than a year ago. And in a direct comparison of to the Legislature on Public (above) share a laugh during Earth charter schools to conventional public school School Academies. A total of districts where most charters are located, charter 225 charter schools were in science class at Delta College. The students in general outperformed their conven- operation in 2005-06. Twelve boys are among hundreds of home tional public school counterparts. “Michigan’s charter schools are continu- new schools opened during the school students who gather at the year and five closed. ing to narrow the gap,” said Dan Quisenberry, college each Friday. president of the Michigan Association of A school district may not Read the story on Page 4. Public School Academies. collect payroll deductions on MEAP, Page 2 behalf of a union’s political action committee, even if the deductions are voluntary and the union pays all administra- tive costs in advance, according DPS enrollment down by thousands to Michigan Secretary of State Terry Lynn Land. The Michigan Campaign Finance Act prohibits Many Detroit students still unaccounted for such activity, Land said. The Detroit News reported in mid-January Recent news that the district might close Education officials try to track that 5,000 students left DPS in favor of charters more than 50 school buildings in the next two Borrowing from the fund where students are today and other public schools in Metro Detroit from years prompted predictions of even further balance to make ends meet 2005 to 2006. enrollment decline. Superintendent William has become the norm in Detroit Public Schools enrollment dropped Detroit Public Schools itself tracks the F. Coleman outlined the proposal in January, Short Subjects, Page 12 by about 13,800 students from the fall of 2005 students “the best we can,” said spokesman saying it could save the district nearly $19 mil- to the fall of 2006, but where are those students Lekan Oguntoyinbo. “Our information shows lion a year in staffing costs. But at least one today? Enrollment figures from nearby public a large percentage end up in charter schools … parent was quoted in the Detroit Free Press as school districts and charter schools account for and neighboring districts.” He said the district saying that more students would leave the dis- nearly 4,000 of the students, but the rest remain lost students to the Oak Park School District in trict if more schools close. The Detroit system

PAID a puzzle that education officials are still putting Oakland County last fall, when approximately has closed 35 schools in the past 10 years. Fenton, MI

Permit #1776 together. 7,000 DPS teachers went on strike for 16 days. Oguntoyinbo said Detroit’s declining U.S. POSTAGE

NONPROFIT ORG. “Everyone wants to know,” said Beverly The illegal strike denied instruction to students birthrate and population are a large reason for Rebel Finlayson, manager of Student Account- for several days. Classes resumed Sept. 14. the enrollment drop. “The city is losing resi- ing & Auditing at the Wayne County Regional Student count day — the date when school dents … and a lot of those residents are kids,” Educational Services Agency. That agency tracks districts took an official count of all children he said. “By extension, the schools are losing student population for 34 public districts and in attendance — was Sept. 27. Detroit Enrollment, Page 2 nearly 80 public school academies in Wayne County. The agency keeps records on the total student count in each district as well as the number of students who live in one district Safety Precautions Reported by Michigan Schools but attend school elsewhere. The number of students who left Detroit Public Schools for 4500 Michigan school buildings charter schools or other public schools inside Warning Codes Developed Wayne County grew by about 5,300 this year, Blueprints on File - Police/Fire and an additional 600 now attend schools in 3500 Controlled Access to Building Oakland, Macomb or Washtenaw counties, Campus Closed at Lunch records show. “We cannot determine where approxi- 2500 Picture IDs / Staff mately 8,500 Detroit resident (students) are” Controlled Access to Grounds as of early January, Finlayson told Michigan Security Cameras 1500 Education Report, but she listed several pos- Random Dog Sniffs / Drugs Data no longer sibilities. Some of the Detroit children may be requested Random Sweeps / Weapons Picture IDs / Students attending charter schools outside the county, 500 she said, and some may have moved elsewhere Metal Detectors / Students in Michigan or out of state. Finlayson has Metal Detectors / Visitors requested regional and statewide school popula- School year ‘01-’02 ‘02-’03 ‘03-’04 ‘04-’05 ‘05-’06*

tion data to help her track the Detroit students. Source: Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information, School Safety Data, 2001-2002 — 2005-2006. * In this year, the Michigan Department of Education added the possibility of answering “NA,” increasing the number of nonresponses from the previous year. Mackinac Center for Public Policy Main Street 140 West Box 568 P.O. Midland, Michigan 48640 Based on its own analysis of enrollment figures,  Michigan Education Report www.educationreport.org Spring 2007

Detroit Enrollment Schools system. Others came from other district can offer a higher quality program, school system, “We get students from quite continued from Page One public districts or other charter schools. parents will pick that. Thirteen thousand a few districts,” but the number of students population.” The school closing plan “is an Harris said a few parents contacted her school students left because they don’t have confi- coming from Detroit is not significantly opportunity for us to right-size and to operate in reaction to the strike, “but not many. Some dence Detroit (Public Schools) is or will offer higher than in previous years, according to in a more efficient manner,” he said. A large of them were a little frantic. They wanted quality any longer.” Laudine Gallagher, secretary to the superin- number of DPS buildings are operating at less their children in school.” Most of those par- Quisenberry said his association’s Lan- tendent. The district’s overall student count is than 50 percent capacity. ents were added to the school’s waiting list, sing office was overwhelmed with phone up by about 84 students this year, but most of However, population decline doesn’t she said, since the available openings were calls from parents during the teacher strike that increase is among in-district students. explain why enrollment in charter schools taken by families already on the list. looking for schools with openings. Highland Park regularly enrolls a large is up. In contrast to DPS, about 60 charter At David Ellis Academy, officials do attri- “It was very frustrating just to know you number of students from other districts, schools in Wayne County reported higher bute part of the increase to the teacher strike. wouldn’t be able to help them,” he said. including Detroit, primarily because of its or the same enrollment in fall 2006 as in fall The academy operates one school in Detroit A number of neighboring public school Career Academy. The number of full-time 2005, the records show. The total enrollment and opened a second campus this year in districts also accept students assigned to the equivalent students at the career and techni- increase in Wayne County charter school cal center last fall was 1,079, according to academies was about 4,000. Statewide, the Number of full-time-equivalent students assigned to Detroit Public spokesman Greg Byndrian. An additional largest increases in charter school enrollment 400 non-residents attend the district’s other were reported in Wayne County, at 8 percent, Schools but choosing other school districts, fall 2006 schools, and the “vast majority of those are and in Monroe, 19 percent, Washtenaw, 11 from Detroit,” he said. Highland Park antici- percent, and Oakland, 13 percent, according Highland Park City Schools pated the possibility that the Detroit strike to preliminary figures from the Michigan Oak Park City School District would send students its way, but “that did Association of Public School Academies. Ferndale Public Schools not happen,” he said. There was increased Charter administrators say it’s difficult Clintondale Comm Schools activity in the school’s enrollment center after to assess whether the increase is a reaction Redford Union School District the strike ended, he said, but the district’s by parents to the teacher strike or a shift that Hazel Park City School District total enrollment this year is not expected to parents had planned for some time. Some Dearborn Heights School District #7 be much higher than it was in 2005. charter systems opened new buildings or Melvindale Allen Park Schools In all, according to The Detroit News added grades this year, and some attracted new Westwood Community Schools analysis, 51,000 Detroit students attend students from districts other than Detroit. Madison Public Schools school elsewhere, equal to one-third of the Some families also switched from one charter River Rouge City Schools student population. The number of stu- school to another. Inkster City School District dents who have left Detroit Public Schools Hanley International is a two-build- Clarenceville School District is larger than the student population in any ing charter school program in Hamtramck, Garden City School District other Michigan district. The second-largest where the number of students nearly doubled Southgate Community School District district in Michigan, Utica, has about 29,500 — from about 200 to about 400 — from Fitzgerald Public Schools students. 2005 to 2006. The new students didn’t come Roseville Community Schools Wayne County population overall from Detroit Public Schools, according to Mt. Clemens Community Schools decreased by 80,000 people from 2000 to business manager Nikki Doby. Between 90 Ecorse Public School District 2006, or nearly 4 percent, according to the and 95 percent of the Hanley students live in Taylor School District latest “Population and Household Estimates the Hamtramck public school district, and Hamtramck Public Schools for Southeast Michigan,” published by the the large enrollment increase is due to the Southfield Public School District Southeast Michigan Council of Govern- opening of a second building and adding one Allen Park Public Schools ments. SEMCOG uses U.S. Census figures grade, she said. Wyandotte City School District and its own estimates, based on housing “What I saw were sprinkles here and Others Each Receiving Fewer Than 40 units, to compile the figures. sprinkles there” of Detroit students moving The city of Detroit alone lost about to other schools, she said. She also pointed out 86,000 people, or 9 percent of its population, that some students may have returned to the Source: Analysis of nonresident FTE pupil data, Fall 2006, from State of Michigan, Center for Educational according to SEMCOG, but communities Detroit district, but not in time for the official Performance and Information like Canton and Northville townships gained count. “Those kids may be there,” she said. as much as 28 percent, bringing down the Oguntoyinbo agreed, saying, “We do Redford. Looking at the locations combined, Detroit city district. In Dearborn Heights overall population loss. The same report have quite a few students coming back,” about 60 percent of new enrollees this year School District #7, about one-third of the shows that while the number of housing although exact numbers were not available. came from Detroit Public Schools and 40 school population consists of students who units increased by 1.6 percent from 2000 to At the Aisha Shule/W.E.B. Dubois Pre- percent came from other charters, according are assigned to Detroit, according to Cindy 2006, the vacancy rate increased from 7 to paratory School, a charter school in Wayne to Machion Morris, director of school opera- DeSmit, administrative assistant to the super- 10.6 percent. County, what looked like a 600-student tions. Regarding the DPS enrollees, “Because intendent. The teacher strike did not affect Even as it downsizes, Detroit Public increase turned out to be a mistake in the they enrolled at the last minute, we strongly the district’s enrollment directly because the Schools is advertising in area media in an report, according to registrar Shamayim believe that that was due to the strike,” Morris open enrollment period, during which the effort to attract students. Harris. The numbers for Aisha Shule appar- told Michigan Education Report. district accepts schools-of-choice applica- “It’s pointed at children still living in ently were transposed with those of another “They (charter schools) are full. They’re tions, had closed in April, she said. “There Detroit, but also children living outside the school, but the figure has since been cor- full and they’re looking for ways to respond, were parents calling to see if they could get city,” Oguntoyinbo said of the advertising rected, she explained. but their hands are tied,” said Dan L. Quisen- their child enrolled,” she said, but the district campaign. “We want to attract more of them. Harris estimated that about half of her berry, president of the Michigan Association could not accept them. “We had pretty much A lot of people don’t know about our unique school’s new enrollees this year – or about of Public School Academies. “There is room met our (enrollment) goal.” offerings. … This is an opportunity for us to 50 students – came from the Detroit Public and demand for more quality schools. If a In the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park continue to tell our story unfiltered.”6

MEAP public schools on every MEAP test. ation of what students know and are able to people running good schools will say, ‘Hey, continued from Page One “It affirms what we’re doing,” said Greg do in the subjects of math and reading.” they’re gaining on us.’” At the state level, charter schools and Dykhouse, director of academics for Black State officials attributed the overall Black River was chartered by Grand conventional public schools generally gained River Public School in Holland, of Black increase in MEAP scores to improved Valley State University in 1996. Right now, or lost ground in the same subject areas and River’s test results. Black River scores were “Grade Level Content Expectations,” which Michigan law has limited the number of at the same grade levels. But in many cases higher than the state average on all but one explain what is expected at each grade level charter schools that public universities when charters improved, they improved test, and higher than nearly every score and what will be assessed on state tests. can authorize to 150. Conventional school more, according to analysis of the scores by reported by conventional public districts “To the extent that schools have fol- districts, intermediate school districts and MAPSA and other charter school officials. For in the area, even though those districts lowed CMU’s requirements, and aligned community colleges also can authorize instance, the number of eighth-graders who reported gains as well. “We don’t put our their curriculum and instruction to the charter schools. A total of 225 charter met or exceeded expectations in math went up sights on the MEAP, but we look at the new expectations, scores have increased,” schools were in operation in 2005-2006. by 5 percentage points among conventional results and try to reflect as a staff,” he said. said Mark Weinberg, director of academic Asked if the MEAP results are an argu- public schools. Among charters, the increase Central Michigan University also uses accountability for CMU Charter Schools, ment for lifting that cap, Quisenberry said was 6 percentage points. Fifth-grade reading more than the MEAP to assess the schools also by e-mail. “If schools have not done the larger question is how to create more proficiency went up by 4 percentage points it authorizes, according to Jim Goenner, the hard work of alignment, we find that quality schools in general. One way would among traditional schools, but by 7 percent- executive director of The Center for Char- their scores do not improve…. We support be to make it easier to replicate successful age points among charter schools. ter Schools at CMU. the idea of more clearly defining content programs already found in charter schools At the local level, comparing charter expectations and more rigorous state stan- as well as conventional public schools. schools in specific communities like Grand “If the conventional schools say dards in general.” In some traditional school districts, Rapids, Lansing and Detroit to conventional Dykhouse suggested that the Hol- principals and teachers do not have the public schools in those same communities they’ve improved, perhaps it’s land area — where there are three public authority they need to implement change, showed that charter students generally did because of the competition.” school academies with varying educational he said. “Why are we getting in the way of as well or better. In Detroit, for example, Greg Dykhouse, Black River Public School models, along with traditional public schools those people who want to achieve success? charter school scores exceeded local district — would be a good place to study whether … From a policy standpoint, how do we scores on 24 of the 27 MEAP tests. The school choice leads to improved academics remove obstacles so they can respond?” Michigan Department of Education uses “The MEAP is one tool and the scores in the community at large. “If the conven- MEAP scores are important to public those comparisons, as well as the statewide are one set of indicators of the performance tional schools say they’ve improved, perhaps schools because they are a factor in deter- comparisons, to report to the Legislature on of schools and knowledge and skills of stu- it’s because of the competition.” mining if the school meets the require- charter school progress. dents. CMU pays attention to the MEAP The numbers show that in some cases, ments of the federal No Child Left Behind Some of the most significant differences results … but as one part of a more compre- while charters narrowed the gap between law. Schools that do not make Adequate between charter school and conventional public hensive Individualized School Performance themselves and state averages, host districts Yearly Progress, determined in part by school students were found at the middle- Review process,” Goenner told Michigan lowered the gap between themselves and standardized test scores, may be required school level. Seventh- and eighth-grade charter Education Report by e-mail. CMU requires charter schools. to offer tutoring or allow students to attend students in the Lansing area, for example, per- on-line computer tests each fall and spring “Quality always drives quality,” a different school at public expense, among formed better than Lansing-area conventional that “provide much more immediate evalu- Quisenberry said on the same topic. “Good other sanctions. 6 Spring 2007 www.educationreport.org Michigan Education Report 

documents like the Constitution and Bill of Rights as well as ways to teach about those documents. The institute presented such a seminar in Grand Rapids last fall. Michigan teachers chosen as ‘U.S. House Fellows’ “There are many teachers who are just hungry for the content,” Griffin said. More Program to help high school instructors teach House procedures recently, the institute has developed an out- reach program aimed directly at students, In less than two years, many of Maxine 14th District, and Rep. John D. Dingell of including a student Web site, essay contest Mickens’ students at Millenium High the 15th District, respectively. and pilot summer camp. School in Detroit will be eligible to vote in Schlack and Mickens also both partici- The Center for Civic Education their first presidential election. She wants pate in “We the People: The Citizen and the contracts with the Michigan Center for them to be ready. Constitution,” a program focusing on civic Civic Education to administer the “We A t e a c h e r, competence and responsibility that was the People” program here. The pro- precinct delegate, developed by The Center for Civic Educa- gram is probably best known for its state one-time Detroit tion, an independent nonprofit corporation competition, but “that’s sort of the tip City Council can- based in California. of the iceberg,” said Jim Troost, director didate and former In designing the Fellows program, of programs. Teachers like Schlack, who c o n g r e s s i o n a l Beuttler said he wanted the teachers to conducted mock Congressional hearings intern, Mickens visit Washington during “extremely busy in their own classrooms, are invited to returned to Con- weeks,” so the pilot program took place in compete in mock hearings at the Congres- gress in July as July, the final week of session before the sional district level. Winners there go to Maxine Mickens part of the first- summer recess. state finals. This year’s winner was East ever House Fel- “The minimum wage bill was the big Grand Rapids High School, and that team lows Program of the U.S. House of Rep- deal,” Schlack said. “I had a Congressional now goes to national competition. resentatives. The program is designed to staff badge, so Friday night at 12:00 I walked But aside from the competition, the teach secondary school educators about the over in my jeans and watched the House program also offers free instructional history and practice of the U.S. House. floor vote.” The group also was allowed The Center for Civic Education and the material to 25 teachers per Congressional M i c k e n s onto the House floor to hear Iraqi Prime Bill of Rights Institute in Arlington, VA. district per year, Troost said. The material and Milan High Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s address “Our mission is to help teachers and focuses on the U.S. Constitution and Bill School teacher and attended the signing ceremony for the ultimately students understand the found- of Rights. Jaime Schlack extension of the Voting Rights Act. ing documents and founding principles “The whole philosophy behind ‘We j o i n e d n i n e It was a return visit, of sorts, for Mickens. … and how those documents remain alive the People’ is that responsible citizenship other teachers As a University of Michigan student, she was and vibrant for 21st century students,” said requires certain knowledge, but also certain from across the an intern in Conyer’s office in 1972. Always Claire Griffin, the institute’s vice president skills,” Troost said. country for the interested in politics, she currently teaches for educational programs. The institute Helping students understand the con- one-week pro- history and geography at Millenium, but offers free online materials, weekly “e-les- nection between their own lives and what Jaime Schlack g r a m , w h e r e previously taught government and econom- sons” in historical or contemporary issues, Congress does is key to their future civic they attended ics at Henry Ford High School in Detroit. and printed curricular supplements for involvement, Mickens said. “As I told my committee hearings and briefings and She also ran for a spot on the Detroit City history and government classes. students this morning, they are two years visited the Library of Congress and the Council in 2005, coming in 52nd in a field In addition, it offers professional devel- from casting their first vote for president. Smithsonian Institution. The program of 120 candidates in the primary. opment seminars for teachers that explore They need to be informed.” 6 is organized by the Office of the House “The very first thing I did (this fall) Historian. Dr. Fred W. Beuttler, the Deputy was set up my classroom like the House. House Historian, told Michigan Education That was so exciting. The kids loved it,” Report it was his idea to bring the teachers Mickens said. Each student took on the to Washington. role of a legislator as they talked about how A l e r t ! Don’t let your subscription to “Our mandate is to preserve and pro- bills are passed and the roles of legislative tect the history of the House of Represen- aides, she said. Michigan Education Report expire. tatives,” he said. “I thought the best way to In Milan, Schlack said she incorpo- do that would be to bring in high school rated a mock Congressional hearing into Visit www.educationreport.org to renew today. Enjoy four issues teachers, because that’s the last time history her Advanced Placement government class and government have to be studied.” last fall, a suggestion from “We the People.” a year, each one filled with news and analysis about public policy Rather than choose teachers by state, Four community leaders and a representa- and education issues that matter most to you. You can also sign Beuttler chose them by Congressional dis- tive from Dingell’s local office attended to trict, giving preference to the most senior hear her students “testify as constitutional up for Michigan Education Digest, a weekly e-mail summary of members of the House. Thus, Mickens experts.” top education news delivered right to your inbox. and Schlack were selected based on the Several national groups promote civic seniority of Rep. John Conyers Jr. of the education through teachers, among them

educational science could have been taught in … I began my teaching career in a charter Here’s what readers said one, three-credit class. school. … From poorly trained administrators, irate - teacher, South Lyon Community Schools parents, children who didn’t care to be at school, about our last issue crumbling buildings, lack of supplies and support, I … Generally the Michigan Education Association felt completely lost and trapped in a system that was In each issue of Michigan Education Report, we invite readers has not been impressed with efforts to short-circuit lacking in structure. … Many charter schools have to comment on selected articles by visiting our online edition at the route to license teachers, because they do not ideas of grandeur that are lacking the proper means provide an adequate balance between subject www.educationreport.org. Here are some comments we received to excel beyond public schools. … mastery and pedagogy. One must know the subject in response to our Winter 2006 issue. - teacher, Novi Community Schools AND be able to convey to students … Regarding our article about alternative certification - spokeswoman, Michigan Education Association and efforts to help experienced professionals become Our feature article about reform efforts in Edmonton K-12 classroom teachers, readers said … In Diverse Viewpoints, two guest educators argued Public Schools, Alberta, Canada, talked about …Alternative certification will not only benefit for and against lifting the cap on charter schools in parental choice, teacher appreciation and allowing students by exposing them to a wider range of Michigan. Readers shared these ideas: building principals to make budget decisions. experienced leaders, it should help alleviate teacher … YES!! Michigan should lift the cap. … I always say Readers weighed in with these comments. shortages in critical areas of instruction. the general public school system is comparable to the … The ideas about competition and running the schools -administrator, Gratiot-Isabella ISD USPS (United States Postal Service). The USPS does a like a business make so much sense. I can’t understand … The bottom line is people that go into teaching decent job delivering mail. But if you want your pack- why more people in the U. S. don’t seem to get it. usually have a passion for it and want to make age delivered on time, guaranteed, no extra charge - teacher, St. Lorenz Lutheran School, Frankenmuth for signature or insurance you use FedEx or UPS, etc. a difference. … I feel that my experience in the … I also feel it is important for teachers to feel appre- - educator, Biscotti Educational Center, Macomb business world and my (online education) program ciated and respected. School districts can do this by has prepared me to excel in teaching … … Charter schools offer parents a choice even when encouraging teachers, like the billboards mentioned, - substitute teacher, Fraser Public Schools they can’t afford private education. Charter schools give and by treating their employees in a fair and equi- … Teaching is a skill and requires training. Alternative parents a chance to have a loud voice in their child’s table manner. programs which provide this background and education. We need to stop the “left behind” children - teacher, Concord Community Schools, Jackson training are what we need. Less red tape and from happening Are we to assume that “bad schools” are solely complications … would be helpful, of course. Let us - teacher, Island City Academy, Eaton Rapids the responsibility of teachers? Won’t teachers only not think, however, that a person decides to change … I believe if school funding were not being want to accept positions at “good schools” to careers and is ready to walk into a classroom … compromised by charter schools, public schools protect their careers rather than try to help raise the - elementary principal, Grand Rapids Public Schools would be able to offer a broader range of standards at a “bad school”? Let’s not oversimplify. learning experiences to students. As it is now, … Certified does not necessarily mean qualified. - teacher, Rockford public education is being coerced by its financial The amount of academic muck I had to wade circumstances into providing a very narrow To comment on articles in this edition, visit www.educationreport.org. through when I studied to be an English teacher was education for our students. staggering…. (E)verything I needed to know about - teacher, South Haven High School  Michigan Education Report www.educationreport.org Spring 2007 At Home at Delta College

Delta College and home-school families see advantages in cooperative program

More than 100 home-school families Classes are offered to four age groups, rang- in the Saginaw Valley area are pooling ing from pre-school swim for 3- to 5-year- their talent – literally and figuratively – in olds to Spanish I for 14-year-old students a cooperative program with Delta College. and older. Many of the classes focus on The program brings hundreds of children physical education, music and art, but older to Delta’s campus each Friday for classes students have the option to study drafting, ranging from swimming to Spanish to money management and geography. There geography. Parents teach most of the classes, also is an ACT Preparation class. In the fall making use of the pool, fitness center and of 2005, the group’s first at Delta, almost 260 classrooms on site. students from 106 families participated. Last “You can do some types of physical fall, that had grown to 310 students from education (at home), but it’s pretty hard to 133 families. do a good swim program at your house,” “We’ve got families from all over,” Cun- Sue Passeno, parent coordinator, told ningham said. “The Tri-Cities and the Thumb, Michigan Education Report. Passeno said and as far away as Clio and Standish.” the program began about 10 years ago as “The kids love it,” said Passeno, a “swim-and-gym” for home-school students Saginaw resident and home-school parent at the Saginaw YMCA. of five. Many families spend the whole day As more families joined, the program on campus, with students taking up to five outgrew that facility, so the group contacted classes and eating lunch on site, while par- Tara Cunningham, manager of Fitness and ents teach, supervise or help in other ways. Recreation at Delta College. Cunningham Every parent is asked to volunteer, she said, previously held a similar position at the even if it’s only by setting up equipment. Saginaw YMCA. “We always really stress that the parents Jacqueline Molitor of Midland leads a group discussion about forces that shape the Earth. Many teachers in the program are volunteer parents. “They called and asked about moving stay involved,” she said. Parents can visit any things over here,” Cunningham said. Since class at any time, and they also are expected Fridays are usually a slower day on campus, to make sure that their children do any nearby support groups. she helped arrange for the group to use assigned homework. “Families aren’t just doing field trips campus athletic areas and classrooms. A growing number of Michigan home any more,” Ericson said. “As people home- “We really see it as filling a need in the school families are sharing resources, par- schooled and kids got older, they began to community,” Cunningham said. “Some- ticularly for advanced classes or physical see the need for classes.” One building in thing like orchestra is really hard to do at education, according to Lois Ericson, a Grand Rapids — built and donated privately home, but here the kids can all be together staff member with the Grand Rapids-based for use by home-school families — houses a in one place and play their instruments.” Information Network for Christian Homes. gymnasium, library, educational areas and a Most sessions are offered in 10-week INCH sponsors a Web site that serves as a store. “A lot of them (home-school groups) blocks, with registration fees that cover the clearinghouse for information about home meet in churches or in other facilities they costs of supplies and the use of the rooms. school and puts families in touch with rent. A lot of times the parent teaches, if they have expertise. Other times they hire out.” One of the parent teachers at Delta is Rebecca DiMercurio of Carrollton, left, and Ashley Michael Back of Montrose Township, who Bergmooser of Midland apply crayon to sandpaper instructs 85 students in a type of karate called as a way of studying how forces shape the Earth’s kal-kin-odo, with some Tae Kwon Do and surface. judo mixed in. Back was semi-retired from operating his own martial arts school in Flint when he was recruited for the home-school program. “I thought it was a perfect opportunity for me,” he said. “The style I teach is very suited to kids. … They can, in a very short time, look very impressive.” Kal-kin-odo movements incorporate the use of rattan sticks about as long as the user’s arm. The emphasis is not so much on self-defense as defense of others, according to Back, a home-school parent of four. Passeno said Back’s three karate classes are among the program’s most popular. “He’ll have 35 kids – and total control,” Karsten Molitor of Midland, left, and Daniel Hinds of Birch Run share a laugh during Earth science class. she said. The boys are among hundreds of home school students who gather at Delta College near Saginaw each On the academic side, Back also teaches Friday to study a variety of subjects. apologetics to sixth through 12th graders. He calls it “kind of a college prep course,” meant to teach students headed to college how to defend their beliefs. Kathy Garthoff teaches Spanish language classes to “They have not always been challenged older home-school students in the weekly program at very often in what they believe,” Back Delta College near Saginaw. Many parents volunteer said. “My goal is, number one, for them to to teach classes in their areas of expertise. increasingly recognize the assumptions of any argument and, number two, to be able small benefit, since classes fill quickly. to reason logically.” Cunningham said the program benefits For example, he said, in one class he not only the families, but also the college. asked students to answer this question: What “It gets the kids on campus and gets is 10 plus 1? When most of them said 11, he them exposed to Delta,” she said. “A lot of asked them to think about what assumption home-schoolers at the high school level they made before answering. Ten plus one take dual enrollment classes, so it helps that equals eleven only in base ten, he said, not they’re already familiar with Delta and what in any other base. it has to offer.” 6 Like Back, most of the parent teachers are volunteers who have personal interest For a chance to win an iPod by or expertise in their subjects, Passeno said. commenting on this story, please go Irina Back of Flushing, left, and Justin Jacobs of Vassar are members of the popular karate class offered to “One of the advantages of teaching is that home-school students through a joint program at Delta College. you get to register first,” she said. That’s no to www.EducationReport.org/8228 Spring 2007 www.educationreport.org Michigan Education Report 

Bill would clear way for more day of attendance in school or until Detroit charters the student reaches the age when the Legislation introduced by Rep. LaMar coverage would otherwise end. The Lemmons Jr., D-Detroit, in January law is expected to affect mainly col- would allow Wayne County Community lege students. Insurance companies College to authorize charter schools in age 16 as is currently required. Sen. Liz introduced by Rep. Dave Hildenbrand, R- would be prohibited from raising the Detroit. Current law prevents commu- Brater, D- Ann Arbor, and Rep. LaMar Lowell. The bill would create a new section premium during the period. Under the nity colleges from authorizing charter Lemmons Jr. introduced the bills in in the state school aid act. House Bill 4021 new law, the student’s physician will schools “in a school district of the first their respective chambers. Senate Bill 11 was referred to the House Appropriations have to certify in writing that it is medi- class,” a reference to Detroit Public and House Bill 4042 have been assigned Committee on Jan. 22. cally necessary for the student to take a leave of absence. The bill, originally Schools. However, other community to the Senate and House education com- www.michiganvotes.org/2007-HB-4021 colleges are authorized to sponsor charter mittees, respectively. introduced in March 2006, passed in the House of Representatives in June schools in the districts they serve. House www.michiganvotes.org/2006-SB-11 No more sweets in school and in the Senate on Dec. 12. It was Bill 4043 was referred to the House Edu- Rep. Frank Accavitti Jr., D-Eastpointe, www.michiganvotes.org/2007-HB-4042 approved by Gov. Jennifer Granholm cation Committee on January 22. has introduced legislation that would www.michiganvotes.org/2007-HB-4008 on Dec. 28. www.michiganvotes.org/2007-HB-4043 ban the sale of these items in public Medical savings accounts schools: chewing gum, candy bars, food www.michiganvotes.org/2006-HB-5815 State would pick up Detroit tab or drinks that consist of 35 percent or Public schools would be required to more sugar or other sweetener, juice Removing teacher endorsements The State of Michigan would assume offer medical savings accounts as a the deficit incurred by Detroit Public that is less than 100 percent real fruit The State Board of Education may not health insurance option for employees Schools when that district was under the or vegetable juice, food or drinks con- nullify a teacher’s teaching certificate under a bill introduced by Rep. Bruce control of a state-imposed reform school taining more than eight grams of fat per or an attached endorsement, even at the Caswell, R-Hillsdale. The same bill board, if the Legislature approves a bill serving, and, in elementary schools, the teacher’s request, unless the certificate would require all districts, as of Sept. introduced by Rep. LaMar Lemmons Jr., sale of soft drinks. House Bill 4035 was or endorsement has not been used in 12 1, 2007, to offer health insurance with D-Detroit, in January. House Bill 4040 referred to the House Health Policy years. The new law resulted from leg- says that the “legislature shall appropriate benefits that are comparable to the Committee on January 22. islation introduced in 2006 to establish sufficient funds to the school district to most comprehensive benefits offered www.michiganvotes.org/2007-HB-4035 procedures for when a teacher requests eliminate the operating deficit.” In 2004, before that date. In districts where a that certain endorsements be nullified. the district had a $122 million deficit. collective bargaining agreement was in Allow administrator unions The law would rule out cases in which House Bill 4040 was referred to the effect before Sept. 1, that agreement School district superintendents, princi- teachers deliberately nullify certain House Appropriations Committee. would take precedence until it expired. pals and chief business administrators endorsements in order to use their Medical savings account plans typically seniority to bump into other teach- www.michiganvotes.org/2007-HB-4040 could establish or join a union under combine a high-deductible health insur- legislation introduced by Rep. LaMar ing positions. School districts believe More time in school ance plan (the bill specifies $3,000) with Lemmons Jr., D-Detroit, on January that dropping an endorsement is an a tax-deferred equity account owned implicit contract violation. Only the Legislation introduced by Rep. Bruce 22. House Bill 4039 would repeal the by the employee. Routine health care State Board of Education can nullify a Caswell, R-Hillsdale, on January 22 existing state law that prohibits such expenses that cost less than the insur- teaching certificate or remove endorse- would increase the minimum number action. The bill was referred to the ance deductible amount are paid for House Labor Committee. ments. The bill passed the Michigan of hours of instruction public schools Senate in a 35-1 vote and the House must provide from 1,098 hours per from the equity account. House Bill www.michiganvotes.org/2007-HB-4039 4012 was referred to the House Educa- in a 107-0 vote and was signed by Gov. year to 1,140. As previously, failure to Jennifer Granholm on Jan. 3. operate schools for at least the mini- tion Committee on January 22. Insurance coverage must continue www.michiganvotes.org/2006-SB-1327 mum time requirements could result www.michiganvotes.org/2007-HB-4012 New Michigan law requires that health in loss of state aid. House Bill 4008 was care coverage for dependent children School aid budget by July 1 Citizenship requirements and referred to the House Education Com- who are full-time or part-time students scholarships mittee. In addition, legislation has been The Michigan Legislature would be must be continued if the student takes introduced in the House and Senate to required to adopt a school aid budget by a leave of absence from school due to Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed a pack- require compulsory school attendance July 1 each year for the fiscal year begin- illness or injury. The coverage would age of bills in January that would have for children up to age 18, instead of ning the following Oct. 1 under legislation continue for 12 months from the last Legislative Action, Page 11 School districts report saving money in insurance pool Legislature expected to revisit health benefit issue in 2007 School districts that banded together under the new program, which is saving groups from the School Employers like requirements for adequate reserves, to form a regional health insurance the district about $40,000 this year. “We Trust and School Employers Group, or oversight and financial reporting. pool in southwest Michigan say they were looking for a more cost-effective SET SEG. “Overall, MESSA does support are saving an average of 7 percent on way to provide health insurance … while The pool gained statewide attention in pooling … as a good way to spread risk,” insurance costs, and the number of maintaining benefits.” 2005, when the Michigan Legislature took Gary Fralick, MESSA director of com- districts in the pool has jumped from up a package of bills designed to reduce munications and government affairs, told nine to 29. A consultant working with health care costs for public schools in Michigan Education Report. But he said the pool members says his company now Each school district in the pool several ways. Senate Bills 895-898 passed that while the existing statute allowing is exploring similar ventures in other sends a representative to a the Michigan Senate in December of that multiple employee agreements has been parts of Michigan. governing board that oversees the year, but never came to a vote in the House praised nationally for its consumer pro- The West Michigan Health Insur- of Representatives. In November of 2006, tections, the new legislation would have ance Pool was established by the public insurance program. former Senate Majority Leader Ken Sik- “lessened the reserve requirement … and school districts and intermediate dis- kema, R-Wyoming, called on legislators lessened the consumer protections,” for tricts in 2005 in an effort to save money Cuneo estimated that his district to complete the work, saying it could save school districts and their employees. on health care coverage through a self- saves about 5 percent on the program schools up to $570 million in the first insurance plan. In most districts the compared to purchasing insurance from three years. “We think that some of the current pool covers administrators and other MESSA, the Michigan Education Special The package of bills would have nonunion support staff, today totaling Services Association. MESSA, a third- made it easier for districts to form legislation has been onerous for about 1,700 employees, according to party administrator affiliated with the regional insurance pools like the one in public institutions.” Doug Derks, area vice president for Michigan Education Association, a school west Michigan. Such pools, called “mul- Doug Derks, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. His company employees union, sells insurance to a large tiple employer welfare arrangements,” or is an employee benefits services firm number of Michigan school districts. The MEWA, are already allowed, but support- “At the end of the year, if they’ve hired by the districts to establish the amount of savings could go up or down in ers say the regulatory process is lengthy had medical bills higher than expected, pool and serve as a consultant. Derks is the future, Cuneo said, depending on the and burdensome. Another piece of the school districts (in a pool) could see a the former assistant superintendent for market and claims. “The big thing is that package would have required the release bill,” he said. business of the East Grand Rapids school school districts have a little more control of claims experience data for each school Some districts have saved money district, a position he left in January 2006 over the actual group itself.” district. Supporters said that knowing a not by joining a pool, but by switching to join Gallagher. Each school district in the pool district’s past experience would make it insurance plans or companies. Michigan “I would say it (the average sav- sends a representative to a govern- easier for other companies to prepare Education Report noted a year ago that a ings) is just over 7 percent,” Derks told ing board that oversees the insurance accurate competitive bids, which in turn number of districts have moved to a less- Michigan Education Report. “They have program. “The intent is to have the would bring prices down. expensive MESSA plan called Choices II, the security of being a large company and school districts as managing partners,” Opponents have said that forcing to increased deductibles or co-pays, or to the cost savings as well.” At this point Derks said. His company handles filing insurance companies to release claims a different company altogether. most of the savings are in administrative required documents with the state. data would allow companies to “cherry If MESSA had not developed options costs that each district faced by handling South Haven Public Schools also pick” only low-cost districts for insur- like a preferred provider plan, “We would insurance programs individually. is pleased with the program, saving ance coverage. They also said that, as probably have 20 percent fewer mem- “It’s been a good process. Every- approximately 10 percent on insur- proposed, the legislation making it easier bers,” Fralick said. “We are susceptible body I have talked to is happy with the ance premiums for administrators and for school districts to form insurance to market forces like anybody else.” services,” said Michael Cuneo, assistant non-certified staff during its first year pools could put districts at risk by not Contract negotiations in 2006 in superintendent for finance for Rock- in the pool, according to Robin Mock, requiring the same safeguards that are Bay City Public Schools resulted in the ford Public Schools. Approximately business office supervisor. The district required under the Michigan insurance district switching carriers from MESSA 63 employees in Rockford are covered formerly purchased insurance for those code. That code includes protections Insurance Pools, Page 6  Michigan Education Report www.educationreport.org Spring 2007

Insurance Pools Contracting helps schools avoid cuts, continued from Page 5 to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michi- offset mounting benefit costs gan for administrators and support personnel, according to Doug New- combe, director of finance. Teachers Reported savings more than $100 per student in some districts shifted to the less-expensive MESSA plan, although they have the option Michigan school districts say they are Similarly, Hartland Consolidated about $182 per student — through its private to retain MESSA’s more expensive saving money through private contract- Schools has a five-year guaranteed price custodial contract, but that has been offset program, SuperCare, if they pay ing and using the money to mitigate the from GRBS for custodial service and is on by increased costs for utilities, fuel, health the difference, Newcombe said. All damage of higher costs for health insurance, track to save the amount it estimated, which insurance and retirement, district officials employees now pay more out of retirement and utilities. In interviews with is $5 million over five years. said. The district already reduced its teach- pocket for prescription drugs. Michigan Education Report, representa- “A year ago at this time we were looking ing staff by 17 this year, said Lee Sandy, It’s too early to know precisely tives in school districts that have contracted at cutting $1.5 million from our general fund interim superintendent. how much the district will save under with private companies in the past year for budget,” said Scott Bacon, assistant superin- “When you first outsource, it’s defi- the changes, Newcombe said, but the janitorial, transportation or food services tendent for business and operations. “If we nitely a learning curve,” said Romanier early estimate is approximately $2 said their budget outlook still is not good, hadn’t done this it would have been another Polley, director of business services for the million. The district has 500 teachers but that it would have been worse without 10 teachers. … We’ve already reduced the Avondale School District. “We definitely and 400 additional staff members in all outsourcing. easy things.” realized savings … at least $250,000.” areas. At about 9,500 students, the sav- About a third of all Michigan school Schools within the Kent Intermedi- Avondale’s student count in the fall of 2005 ings could equal $210 per student. districts hire private firms through competi- ate School District are saving money by was 3,819, making the savings equal to about It is likely the health insurance tive contracting for janitorial, transportation contracting with Dean Transportation to $65 per student. issue will resurface in the Senate or food services. provide bus service for special education That’s less than the $450,000 the district in 2007, according to Matt Mars- Garden City Public Schools estimated students, according to James McLean, had projected because the contract didn’t den, spokesman for Senate Major- it would save $260,000 to $500,000, or up to assistant superintendent for finance. The specify all the work that needed to be done, ity Leader Mike Bishop, although $100 per student, on custodial costs in the KISD handles special education busing for she said. The contract included janitorial few details were available when first year of its contract with Grand Rapids a number of districts in Kent County under work but not maintenance for things like Michigan Educationn Report went Building Services, but most of those savings three separate contracts. The savings do not the heating and ventilation systems, she to press. were eaten up by unemployment obligations go to the ISD, but to the member districts, explained. “We had [maintenance] things At this point, “all of those bills to former employees and by a legal settle- McLean said. “The money is going back into that needed to happen immediately,” she are dead and would have to be intro- ment between the school district and the the basic programs. … All of the schools in said, so the district ended up hiring addi- duced” for consideration in 2007, Michigan Education Association, a school our area have gone through substantial cost tional help. according to Sen. Nancy Cassis, employees union that had filed an injunction reductions. Any cash they can put back in Next year “I think it will be a better R-Novi, a member of the Senate to stop the move. is a blessing for them.” year. This was a learning year,” she said. Education Committee and also chair “Beginning in the second year, we “The real nut of all this is that you’re not The money that was saved this year “is going of the Senate Finance Committee. will be saving $950,000 to $1 million,” said paying that 17 percent retirement,” he said, toward other operating costs,” but not a Cassis told Michigan Education Sheryl Quinn, executive director of business a reference to the Michigan Public School specific item, she said. Avondale is running Report she supported the bills at the services. With enrollment at 4,976 in the fall Employee Retirement System. School at a deficit and has filed a deficit-reduction time and would again. There is little of 2005, that savings would equal up to $200 districts must contribute an amount equal plan with the state. question that, “Any new money going per student. Even so, the district anticipates to about 17 percent of their payroll to the Brandywine Community Schools also into education now is not getting into a $3.3 million deficit at the end of this system each year to cover required benefits was able to reduce its deficit with savings the classroom,” she said, but rather to year, up from $1.3 million as of June 2006. for retired school employees. Private com- realized through a private custodial service, health insurance or pension costs. “Had we still had those (janitorial) costs, panies with private employees avoid that according to Sue Furney, director of business you can see what would have happened,” expense, though they may offer their own and finance. The district signed a two-year For a chance to win an iPod by Quinn said. Increased utility costs were a retirement plans. contract in January with D.M. Burr Facilities major problem last year, as was a 15 percent The KISD also is using a private firm Management of Flint. It hired that firm after commenting on this story, please go increase in health care expenses. for substitute teacher services, and is talking ending a contract with Great Lakes Clean- to www.EducationReport.org/8239 However, Quinn said, the district pur- with six other intermediate districts about ing of St. Joseph. Furney said in a report chased new math textbooks this year and implementing a central accounting system, in the Niles Daily Star that Great Lakes plans to buy social studies books next year. McLean said. “In just our city we duplicate and the district mutually agreed that their Similarly, House Republican In predicting future costs, it helps that the payroll in 21 locations,” he said. agreement “was not a good fit.” The new Leader Craig DeRoche said he expects district has a three-year contract with GRBS In Kalkaska, the school district is on plan is expected to save Brandywine about the Legislature to revisit the issue, and a set price for each year, she said. track to save about $324,000 — equal to $170,000, or $118 per student. 6 but added, “Much of the reform that is needed can be done in the private sector.” Bringing more insurance com- panies into the market would introduce more competition and cost savings, Collective Bargaining 101 without state regulation, he said. “The ideal solution, to me, would be private Mackinac Center publishes primer to help Michigan school board members sector markets brought in that would Collective bargaining is one of the most Parrish was one of the negotiators interviewed for the primer. offer dynamic alternative choices.” important, and frequently one of the most ran- Another was Donald Wheaton, vice president of the Lakeview DeRoche told Michigan Educa- corous, aspects of Michigan education today. Public Schools Board of Education. A 15-year board veteran, he tion Report he understands the need School board members at the bargaining table described Michigan’s school board members as “5,000 individual for legislation making it easier to are expected to consider the educational needs people who are trying to do the best jobs they can.” form self-insurance pools like the of students, the welfare of school employees and “School board members need to hear all sides of every issue,” West Michigan program, calling it the demands of the citizens who elected them. Wheaton said. “More information can only be helpful.” the “most important element” of the “A Collective Bargaining Primer for Michi- The goal of collective bargaining, the authors note, is to reach reform package. gan School Board Members,” recently published mutual agreement on employment conditions though good-faith “We think that some of the by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, provides school board negotiations, rather than strife. In practice, school board members current legislation has been oner- members with information critical to effective bargaining. Pep- should be aware that contract negotiations in Michigan are often ous for public institutions,” Derks pered with insights from experienced school board members protracted and divisive. said. The laws allowing formation and negotiators, the book explains current law and the roles of The primer explains the Employment Relations Act as well of multiple employer arrangements various parties during negotiations. It also suggests strategies for as the role of the Michigan Employment Relations Commis- was intended for private industry preparing better contracts. sion in handling disputes. It also discusses which issues must be and includes safeguards that aren’t The authors are Thomas W. Washburne, director of labor decided through bargaining and which may not — and why school needed with established public insti- policy at the Mackinac Center, and Michael D. Jahr, the Center’s boards need to be aware of all of their options when negotiating tutions like schools, he said. director of communications. Michigan Education Report also is contract terms. “Good faith” bargaining, mediation and declaring Cassis said she believes more published by the Mackinac Center. an impasse are also addressed. districts are taking the step of seeking When Michigan gave educators in public schools the legal “Michigan law ultimately yields the authority to manage the competitive bids on health insurance right to organize in 1965, school employee unions quickly gained district to the school board,” Washburne said. than in the past. “It’s an issue of negotia- ground. As of 2007, all but one of the state’s conventional school School board members are required to find a balance between tion between the teachers union and the districts had union contracts covering their certified teachers. the needs of the school system’s employees and its students, par- school board and administration.” Other groups, like custodians and administrators, followed suit. ents and taxpayers, the authors point out. But at the bargaining That idea is supported by a state- Today, under the terms of the Public Employment Relations table, protecting the needs of students and taxpayers becomes wide survey by the organization of Act, school boards are required to use the collective bargaining paramount because employees are already represented by their Michigan School Business Officials. process to reach agreement with all union groups on key issues unions. In most cases more than 75 percent of a school district’s The April 2006 survey invited school like wages and hours of employment. revenue is at stake in the form of wages and benefits. School districts to report on how many insur- “Most school board members come into the job with a will- boards should be prepared, should adopt a unified strategy and ance carriers they use and whether ingness to learn, but little experience in industrial-style collective should understand the goals and strengths of the unions before they have added any since 2000. Of bargaining,” Washburne says. negotiations begin, the authors advise. the 284 districts responding, 46 percent “Board members are dedicated people,” agreed Lynn Par- A well-informed school board member is an advantage said they had added a new carrier or rish, deputy superintendent for personnel and labor relations during that process, Parrish said. “People who have some foun- changed insurance plans within the and chief negotiator for Howell Public Schools. “They have the dational knowledge always have ideas to bring.” same carrier. The same number said desire to do what is right, but it is a rare board member who has The Mackinac Center is providing copies of the primer to they solicit bids for insurance in prepa- the training and experience that a chief negotiator — on either every public school board member in Michigan. Others interested ration for collective bargaining. 6 side of the table — has.” in obtaining a copy can visit educationreport.org 6 Spring 2007 www.educationreport.org Michigan Education Report  School District Focus Standish-Sterling Community Schools District builds new field house, pool, and still toes Budget line ‘We weren’t going to fritter stuff away,’ superintendent says

Standish-Sterling Cen- quate Yearly Progress under No Child Left tral High School would Behind guidelines and earned an A or B on be a showcase building state report cards. All district buildings also in any school district. hold accreditation through the North Cen- Just when the tour of tral Association of Colleges and Schools. the new swimming pool, All of this has happened in a district in 700-seat theater, tech- which nearly 60 percent of the elementary nology lab and 2,200- and middle school students are eligible for seat gymnasium is fin- free or reduced lunches. Claude Inch ished, Superintendent Inch says the district’s success through Claude Inch takes guests outside to see the lean times is due to a supportive staff, $1 million athletic field house. school board and community. He also says But south of the intersection of Grove Standish-Sterling is not the only success and Wyatt streets in Arenac County, where story in Michigan education. But Inch’s the school sits, and behind the nearby approach to running this small, rural district middle school, is a much smaller building. appears to be key — and others confirm This grey structure is a former woodshop the point. that was converted into the district’s admin- istration center by building trades students, Conservative approach at a cost of $115,000. When a visitor points out the contrast The right approach is academics first, A full array of weight training equipment is available in the field house at Standish-Sterling Central High School. The field between the multi-million dollar high Inch says, underwritten by sound and con- house is used for school and community athletics, including a competitive powerlifting team. school and Inch’s own office, the superin- servative business practices. Inch holds a catch up to those with higher values. buses we’ll need and how much it will cost tendent looks around his room. master’s degree in business administration, “We do not have the capacity here, based over the next decade,” Inch said. Transporta- “You don’t need much,” he says, point- with a concentration in management and on state equalized valuation, to generate the tion accounts for 10 percent of the budget ing out the window to another small build- finance, which he believes has served the kind of money (from property taxes) another in this district of 230 square miles, but the ing nearby. That’s a former auto shop and district well. district does,” Inch said. The funding switch school buildings are all located within four tractor repair building that is now the site of “This is one of the longest periods of helped Standish-Sterling, which took in less miles of each other. That allows for sharing Standish-Sterling Board of Education meet- hard times we have seen (in Michigan edu- money from local taxes than 95 percent of resources like the pool — middle school ings and an alternative education program. cation),” Inch said, pointing to several years all Michigan districts under the former plan. students walk there for swim class — and “As the community saw, we weren’t of declining enrollment and rising costs. The new funding plan meant thousands of the new auditorium, which elementary going to fritter stuff away,” Inch said. “Our “That’s a very bad scenario.” The district dollars more per student to the district. school students have used for “virtual field people are generally very pleased with what copes, he and others said, by making long- “We had absolutely nothing,” Board of trips” to Kenya and the San Diego Zoo. The they get from the district.” These twin ideas term projections on costs and enrollment, Education President Joan Harder recalled of auditorium’s media system allows the stu- of serving the students but keeping a strict keeping a close eye on staffing levels, put- some periods before Proposal A, when she was dents in the auditorium to exchange ques- eye on the budget are a frequent theme in ting money aside, sharing resources among a teacher there. “There were times we were told tions and answers directly with a tour guide Standish-Sterling. Amid news stories about buildings and taking state aid announce- ‘Don’t cash your paycheck until Monday.’” at the remote locations, Inch said. declining enrollments, skimpy fund bal- ments with a grain of salt. Following Proposal A, “We made a “They don’t understand how we have ances and school closings in many Michigan “If they give you money this year, you conscious decision to reserve the money,” so much and they don’t,” Harder describes districts, Inch is retiring in March on what can’t assume they’ll give you money next Inch said. Not all of it, but enough to add to her conversations with board members from most districts would consider a very high year,” Inch said of the state. “We’ve always the fund balance for at least 13 consecutive other districts. “They don’t understand we note. Consider: used a very conservative approach to deter- years, to a high of about $11 million. The have a good money manager.” -In the last eight years, the district has mine which programs we’re going to offer, district put about $3.5 million of its balance Roger Anderson, director of instruc- built a new high school and refurbished and that has prevented us from getting into the high school construction and, more tional services and a former elementary all its other buildings, thanks to taxpayer overextended.” recently, paid $4 million for the pool. Having school principal, agrees with Harder. approval of a 7-mill tax increase in 1998. This conservative approach dates back to a comfortable fund balance has allowed the “Financially, he definitely is the wizard, -It paid $4 million in cash from its 1994, when Michigan voters passed Proposal district not only to avoid borrowing, but to as we call him,” Anderson said of Inch. operating fund balance for a new swimming A and changed the way Michigan pays for schedule long-term purchases of things like “That’s how we managed to put money in pool that opened in 2006, yet still has $5.7 public schools from primarily local property computers and textbooks and also to budget the bank. We aren’t underpaid, but we all do million in the balance, or between 20 and taxes to an increased sales tax with revenue the extra $1 million in operating expenses multiple jobs. There’s a strong work ethic.” 30 percent of operating expenses. distributed across districts. The idea was to the new high school added. - All district schools have made Ade- help districts with lower property values “I can tell you right now how many Planning for staffing

Inch plans ahead for staffing needs — always the largest expense in a school district — by projecting enrollment years in advance and, he says, by expecting staff to work hard. “We have a tendency here to home grow all our administrators,” he said. The district launched an administrative intern program several years ago in which a teacher is released from part of his or her classroom duties for nine weeks to try out an admin- istrative role or to complete a curriculum- related project. “They’re actually function- ing along the lines of an assistant principal,” he said. “They have a tendency to be more effective because of the training.” Shelly Malcolm, a sixth-grade teacher, recently finished such an internship, spend- ing half of each day on duties typically carried out by the principal or assistant principal. Before the experience, she said, “I always wondered, ‘What are they doing all day?’ It gave me an unbelievable perspective on what they do. They are up and running every second. … It was a very eye-opening experience for me to be a teacher and see the other side.” Malcolm is working on a master’s degree in educational leadership at The technology room at Standish-Sterling Central High School includes this robotic arm assembly line as well as equipment for instruction in print technology, video editing, electronics and more. continued on Page 10  Michigan Education Report www.educationreport.org Spring 2007  Michigan Education Report Spring 2007 School Contracting continues to grow

Grant #2 Calumet

Hancock Lake Linden- Hubble Dollar Bay- Stanton Tamarack Adams Chassell Houghton- Portage Elm River Ontonagon Arvon White Pine Baraga Powell

Ironwood Wakefield Ewen-Trout Creek N.I.C.E Marquette Burt L’Anse Bessemer Ishpeming Marenisco Re-Michigamme Tahquamenon Whitefish Negaunee Sault Autrain-Onota Brimley Munising Ste. Marie Gwinn Watersmeet Forest Park Superior Central West Iron County Rudyard Manistique Engadine Pickford North Dickinson Mid Peninsula Wells Moran Big Bay De Noc St. Ignace Detour Rapid Les Chenaux River

Breitung Iron Mountain Norway-Vulcan Gladstone Bark River- Harris North Escanaba Central Upper Peninsula

Carney- As costs for employee retirement Nadeau and benefit plans continue to grow, Stephenson many Michigan school districts report they are saving money by contracting with private companies Menominee for janitorial, food and/or transportation services. A survey of Michigan districts in August of 2006 by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy showed that 37.8 percent contracted out for one or Rochester more of the three services, up from 35.7 percent in 2005. Pontiac Utica Chippewa L’Anse Since concluding the survey, Waterford several additional districts have Avondale Valley Creuse contracted out for one of the Mt. Clemens West Bloomfield services. Several articles in this Troy Hills edition of Michigan Education Bloomfield Clintondale Report discuss the competitive Fraser Walled Lake Clawson Warren Lake Shore contracting issue. On the back Birmingham Lamphere page, guest columnists share their Royal Oak Roseville Warren Woods Lakeview views on outsourcing in “Diverse Farmington Berkley MadisonCenter Line East Detroit Viewpoints.” A separate article, on Novi Hills Southfield Ferndale FitzgeraldVan Dyke South Lake Oak Park Hazel Park page 6, describes how individual Harper Woods Clarenceville districts have used savings from Northville Grosse Pointe outsourcing to address rising costs. Redford Union Highland Park Livonia Hamtramck

South Redford Detroit Plymouth- Crestwood Canton Garden City Dearborn BONuS! Pull-Out map michigan School Districts That Outsource Dearborn Melvindale- Westland Inkster- HeightsWestwood #7 River Rouge The 2006 survey results A Publication on Privatization Initiatives Throughout the State • Mackinac Center for Public Policy • No. 2006-02 / Winter 2007 Edison Allen Park illustrated on this map Allen Park Ecorse Lincoln Park were originally published Romulus Taylor Detroit-area Wyandotte in the Winter 2007 Van Buren Southgate school districts edition of Michigan Riverview Privatization Report, PONTIAC: DrIvINg (PrIvATIzATION) ExCITEmENT Woodhaven a Mackinac Center Police, Fire, Public Works, City Assets and more! Huron Trenton

+SurvEy 2006: SChOOl OuTSOurCINg CONTINuES TO grOW Grosse Ille publication. Mackinac Center for Public Policy Michigan Privatization Report • Winter 2007  Flat Rock Gibraltar

School districts which privatize food, custodial and/or transportation services Detroit is excluded because it did not respond to the survey before publication of the survey data. Detroit later confirmed that it contracts out for food School districts which do not privatize management services and some bus routes. food, custodial or transportation services Since concluding the survey in September, several additional districts have contracted out for either food, custodial or transportation services, according School districts did not report to the Mackinac Center. Spring 2007 www.educationreport.org Michigan Education Report  Spring 2007 Michigan Education Report 

Mackinac Island

Bois Blanc Mackinaw Pines City Beaver Island

Cheboygan Pellston Lower Peninsula Harbor Springs Littlefield Inland Lakes

Onaway Rogers City Petoskey Charlevoix Posen Boyne Wolverine City

Boyne Vanderbilt Ellsworth East Jordan Falls Alpena Hillman Northport Central Lake

Johannesburg- Bellaire Alba Gaylord Lewiston Atlanta Leland

Suttons Bay Elk Rapids Mancelona Glen Lake

Fairview Crawford- Au Sable Alcona Traverse City Excelsior #1

Frankfort- Benzie Mio-Au Sable Elberta Central Kalkaska Kingsley Forest

Buckley Oscoda Bear Gerrish-Higgins Lake Manton Lake City West Branch Rose City Hale Mesick Onekama Tawas Kaleva Norman Dickson Cadillac Houghton Lake Whittemore- Manistee McBain Prescott Arenac-Eastern Free Soil Harrison Marion Au Gres-Sims Standish- Mason County Pine River Gladwin Sterling Central Mason County North Port Eastern Huron Hope Ludington Caseville Baldwin Bloomfield #7F Evart Elkton-Pigeon- Church Farwell Beaverton Sigel #4F Reed City Pinconning Bayport Colfax #1F Sigel #3F Clare Bad Axe Sigel #6 Harbor Verona #1F Beach Pentwater Walkerville Rural Big Jackson Meridian Coleman Owendale- Ubly Chippewa Gagetown Hart Big Rapids Hills Unionville- Beal City Bangor Sebewaing Midland Essexville- Hesperia Hampton Mt. Pleasant Bullock Creek Cass City Deckerville Shelby White Cloud Morley Bay City Akron- Stanwood Fairgrove Shepherd Freeland Caro Montabella Montague Fremont Breckenridge Carrolton Reese Sandusky Carsonville- Saginaw Twp. Port Sanilac Hemlock Buena Vista Kingston Newaygo Vestaburg St. Louis Saginaw Swan Vassar Whitehall Holton Lakeview Alma Frankenmuth Tri County Merrill Valley Bridgeport- Mayville Marlette Spaulding Grant St. Charles Reeths-Puffer Peck Croswell- Central Ithaca Birch Run Millington Lexington North Muskegon Oakridge Montcalm North Branch Brown City Muskegon Orchard Kent City View Cedar Springs Montrose Clio Muskegon Ashley Chesaning Heights Ravenna Greenville Carson City- Union New Lakeville Fulton Lothrop Mona Shores Crystal Mt. Morris Fruitport Sparta Genesee Yale Palo Beecher Rockford Flushing Kearsley Imlay City Coopersville Belding Westwood Spring Lake Comstock Park Flint Davison Lapeer Port Huron Fowler Ovid-Elsie Bentley Northview Owosso Corunna Carman- Capac Kenowa Hills Easton #6 Ainsworth Atherton Grand Haven Forest Hills Ionia Bendle Allendale Grand Rapids Swartz Dryden Memphis Creek Grand Grandville East Grand St. Johns Blanc Goodrich Almont Marysville Godfrey-Lee Saranac Pewamo- Durand WyomingRapids Westphalia Armada Jenison Godwin Lowell Berlin #3 Laingsburg Lake Kelloggsville Fenton Brandon Oxford West Ottawa Kentwood Portland Morrice Richmond Dewitt Bath Byron Hudsonville Caledonia Perry Linden Holly Romeo East China Zeeland Byron Center Lake Orion Holland Lansing Haslett Fenton Clarkston New Haven Lakewood Grand Ledge Rochester Anchor Waverly East Lansing Bay Roxand #12 Webberville Hamilton Thornapple Okemos Pontiac Algonac Kellogg Oneida #3 Williamston Utica L’Anse Saugatuck Potterville Hartland Waterford Creuse Wayland Holt Fowlerville Huron Avondale Chippewa Hopkins Union Valley Valley Bloomfield Mt. Clemens Hastings Maple Valley Howell West Troy Mason Bloomfield Hills Clintondale Fennville Charlotte Fraser Dansville Walled Lake Clawson Warren Lake Shore Martin Brighton BirminghamRoyalLamphere Oak Roseville MadisonWarren WoodsLakeview Glenn Allegan Delton- Farmington Berkley Center Line Eaton Rapids Novi SouthfieldFerndaleFitzgeraldVanE astDyke SDetroitouth Lake Kellogg Pinckney Hills Oak ParkHazel ParkHarper Woods Leslie Stockbridge South Lyon Clarenceville Bellevue Northville Grosse Pointe Plainwell Olivet Redford Union Highland Park Bloomingdale Otsego Whitmore Livonia Hamtramck South Haven Gull Lake Pennfield South Redford Detroit Lake Plymouth- Springport Northwest Dexter Crestwood Gobles Parchment Canton Garden CityDearborn Battle Mar Lee Chelsea Bangor Creek East WestlandDearbornMelvindale- Ann Arbor Willow Run Inkster-HeightsWestwood #7 River Rouge See opposite page Bangor #8 Galesburg- Lakeview Jackson Grass Allen ParkEcorse Covert Kalamazoo Albion Ypsilanti EdisonAllen Park Augusta Harper Western Lake Romulus TaylorLincoln Park for an enlarged Comstock Creek Marshall Michigan Wyandotte Paw Paw Jackson Center Van Buren Southgate map of Detroit-area Coloma Lawrence Climax-Scotts Mattawan Portage Vandercook Riverview school districts Watervliet Concord Lake Napoleon Manchester Saline Woodhaven Hagar #6 Lincoln Huron Trenton Hartford Lawton Homer Grosse Ille Vicksburg Athens Hanover- Flat Rock Benton Harbor Decatur Schoolcraft Columbia Gibraltar Tekonsha Horton Clinton Milan St. Joseph Airport Britton- Sodus #5 Dowagiac Union Litchfield Jonesville Mendon North Adams- Tecumseh Macon Lakeshore Eau Claire Marcellus Union City Onsted Dundee Three Jerome Monroe Jefferson Rivers Colon Addison Bridgman Berrien Coldwater Springs Nottawa Adrian City Ida Cassopolis Quincy Hillsdale Deerfield Summerfield Niles Centreville Hudson Madison Burr Oak River Buchanan Constantine Bronson Reading Pittsford Valley Blissfield Mason Sand Creek Bedford New Galien Edwardsburg White Pigeon Sturgis Whiteford Buffalo Brandywine Camden- Morenci Agricultural Frontier Waldron

School districts which privatize food, custodial and/or transportation services

School districts which do not privatize food, custodial or transportation services

School districts did not report Insurance Pools

10 Michigan Education Report www.educationreport.org Spring 2007

The individual grades for language arts and Standish-Sterling social studies were A and B, respectively. The continued from Page 7 grades for science and math were C and D, Saginaw Valley State University and said she respectively. The grades reflect not just actual can apply the hours she spent in the intern- student performance on standardized tests, ship to her degree requirements. but also whether the school met improvement The right supplies and the right design targets in each content area. also can reduce staffing needs, Inch pointed In contrast, more than 80 percent of out. The EZ Rider cleaning machine — a the students in the district’s two elementary Zamboni-like vehicle — cuts down on the schools were proficient in math and language time required to clean the high school cafeteria arts in recent years. floor, and the glass wall between the school Anderson, the director of instructional library and adjacent computer lab means one services, says the high school is in the second person can supervise both rooms. Video cam- year of a two-year improvement program eras monitor other parts of the building. features that would help them do their jobs. “That network really does go a long way.” funded by a federal Comprehensive School Overall, state figures show that Standish- “What would you need to teach art the best School facilities are open to the commu- Reform Grant. Totaling more than $200,000, Sterling spends less on business administra- way?” Inch asked. Today, “When you go nity much of the time, and the school system the grant money has been spent on leader- tion and more on instructional programs into the building, you can see the art room provides the only organized recreation in the ship training for teachers, coaching from a than many other Michigan districts. Accord- is conducive to an art teacher. It probably area. The field house and its indoor turf are retired administrator and the “Collaborating ing to reports filed in 2004-2005, the district costs you less in the long run because you shared by students of all ages as well as the for Student Success” program, in which ranked 433 out of 750 Michigan districts did it right the first time.” community for batting practice, wrestling, small groups of teachers meet across disci- and public school academies in business A strong supporter of elective classes pole vaulting, golf practice, flag football and plines to share ideas and critique each other’s and administration expenses per pupil. But and extracurricular activities, Inch said power lifting. The new swimming pool is lesson plans. it ranked 322nd in the state in the amount he sees them as a way to keep students used more by local residents than by students “It’s a lot more teamwork and a lot more spent on total instruction per pupil. interested in school and give them experi- at this point. But, always watching the budget, sharing of ideas,” Anderson described the ences they can add to a college application. the district bought the indoor turf from the program. High schools tend to segregate Academics first, Standish-Sterling pays for a full sports pro- University of Alabama, and the Student teachers by subject matter, he said, but “with superintendent says gram plus things like Science Olympiad, Council took on the task of laying 10,000 good teaching strategies, it doesn’t matter what Knowledge Bowl and numerous student cubic yards of sod at the outdoor sports the content is.” The same strategies were used Inch said that supports his point: “Our organizations. “We have one of the few complex, “which probably saved $10,000 to at the middle and elementary schools in past priority has always been academics first. … Future Farmers of America chapters that is $15,000 in labor,” Inch said. years, he said, and “we’re getting a lot of results Success comes from teachers teaching. You still very active,” he said. “It makes it more there. … I’m going to be watching this year’s need to create a support mechanism that fun for them. It makes going to school a Challenges ahead (high school) test scores real closely.” allows them to be successful.” broader experience.” Inch said he plans to remain in the com- About four years ago the district decided One reason Inch does not approve of Inch is keeping himself out of the process munity after his retirement and spend more to limit each first-grade classroom to 15 Michigan’s new high school graduation of finding his successor. The school board time playing golf. “It’s been a good run,” he students so that every child could have “a requirements is that it will put the squeeze currently is narrowing the field of applicants, said. “I think this is a good time for me to very personal relationship with their teacher on students who want to take electives like with help from a consultant from the Michi- leave and a good time for the district.” and get off to a good start,” Inch said. He band, he said. “I think that most boards gan Association of School Boards, according Harder, meanwhile, said with a laugh estimated that that decision costs the district of education would have done better had to Harder. that the school board is looking for somebody about $90,000 a year, but he believes the they been left alone. To say there were no The new chief will have the benefits of a as Inch’s successor who has “experience in payoff comes in students adjusting well to graduation requirements except Civics was completed building program, a healthy fund academics, in finance, in school law and … in school. “It’s a case of your priorities going a bunch of baloney.” balance and community support, but also the practically everything. … It’s not easy to live to the classroom.” Give-and-take between the school challenge of fluctuating scores on standardized here. It’s a slow pace. It takes travel to get to When the district considered designs and the community is another reason for tests at the high school. cultural places, but the people who live here for the new high school, an “educational Standish-Sterling’s success, staff members State figures show that Standish-Sterling love it.” 6 blueprint” came before the architectural say. Many of the local residents were born Central High School earned a B overall on its blueprints. Teachers and staff suggested and raised in the area, Malcolm pointed out. latest Michigan Report Card, for 2005-2006. Spring 2007 www.educationreport.org Michigan Education Report 11 Kalamazoo-area YMCA camp now hosts student teachers Olivet students will fill part of student teacher requirement at Sherman Lake Olivet College education students will Education. The state gives teaching institu- would discuss it. Teachers in the Sherman behavior problems since their students spend time at a YMCA camp that focuses tions wide leeway to structure their own Lake program learn that technique along visited. The program has broad appeal, on character education as part of their stu- programs, according to Curtis, although the with the campers. with 40 schools now participating, among dent teaching requirement, the college has programs are subject to state review. Olivet At Sherman Lake, most of the activities them elementary, middle and high schools, decided. The decision was made in January currently has between 300 and 350 students are hands-on, like canoeing or archery or public schools, public school academies and to require student teachers to spend time enrolled in its education program. art. So before students climb into canoes, Catholic schools. working with elementary students in the The MDE conducts a review of each they talk about safety and respect. “How “The cool thing is, we have kids coming Integrated Education program at the Sher- teaching institution every five years, accord- are we going to be safe? We’re not going from every environment,” Austenfeld said. man Lake YMCA Outdoor Center near ing to Flora Jenkins, director of the Office of to tip each other,” Austenfeld asked and At Sherman Lake, a student teacher would Kalamazoo. Professional Preparation Services. The state answered himself. “How are we going to work with between 15 and 20 different The student teachers will gain experi- requires prospective teachers to spend at treat the equipment?” Learning is easier in groups of students from very different back- ence by working with students from about least 12 weeks in a directed teaching assign- grounds over the course of seven weeks. The 40 schools in the Kalamazoo area, which ment under the supervision of a teaching student teachers would learn to incorporate send a total of 3,000 fifth and sixth graders institution, but some universities and col- character education into lesson plans and to the camp each year. Luke Austenfeld, leges require more time of their students, would share ideas and experiences with executive director at Sherman Lake, says the she said. other student teachers every day. principle underlying the camp’s “Integrated Teacher training is also the focus of “They’ve seen it all,” Austenfeld said Education” program is that character educa- a new, state-level study group on teacher of counselors who have worked at Sherman tion and academic education should oper- preparation programs. The Michigan Lake and gone on to be teachers or princi- ate in tandem. The four values of honesty, Teacher Preparation Policy Study Group, pals. “I mean everything from bedwetting respect, caring and responsibility are woven formed in July, will make recommendations to whatever you can imagine. They end up into camp offerings like canoeing, nature on the state’s review process and will study seeing kids as kids.” study and art, Austenfeld says. teacher testing policies and the grading of The student teacher program at Sher- Austenfeld and his staff developed and teacher preparation institutions, according man Lake would be in addition to, not in have promoted the program over a number of to a press release announcing the group. lieu of, student teaching in a more traditional years with a goal of helping teachers integrate “Out motto is: Kids not only need to be Luke Austenfeld, inset, is the executive director classroom, he pointed out. “What they get character values into the school curriculum. smart. They need to be good, too,” Austen- at the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center, near here are all the soft skills about how to pres- One way to do that is to work with teachers feld told Michigan Education Report. He Kalamazoo. ent a subject, and they would transfer those already in the classroom. But Austenfeld also says the evidence is clear that having embed- skills to other classes.” is trying to convince colleges and universities ded values in a school promotes academic an environment where children feel safe Carrie Abbott is a 2006 Olivet gradu- to send education majors to his center as part achievement. But he said teachers don’t get physically and also feel they will be treated ate who participated in the Sherman Lake of their student teaching experience. Olivet much help achieving both goals in the class- with respect, Austenfeld said. program and is now certified to teach art College is the first to agree. room. Instead, they are under “a tremendous On the first day of camp, counselors in Michigan. Originally from Bad Axe, she The college already allowed its teacher amount of pressure to meet national (test) and students “sit around and decide what said the Sherman Lake program helped her candidates to earn credit at Sherman Lake, standards,” he said, while their principals are the rules and expectations will be,” Aus- to hone her skills by teaching the same les- but in January the institution decided to “overwhelmed by all the mandates.” tenfeld said. “They know what’s right and sons over and over with different groups make it mandatory, according to Norma wrong, and they’re their own rules.” He of children. She spent seven weeks there Curtis, vice president and dean for academic Listen to Austenfeld’s interview at advises teachers to have those same kinds of as a student teacher and then returned as a affairs. “A lot of what they stand for is the www.EducationReport.org/8242 conversations at the beginning of the school summer counselor. same as what we stand for,” she explained year. “Setting the tone of the class at the very “It was absolutely wonderful,” she said. the decision. The teacher candidates from Even if a teacher wants to incorporate beginning dictates the whole year.” In other “There are different students and they need Olivet who have spent time at Sherman Lake character values into the curriculum, the words, he adds later, “what you permit, you to learn different ways.” Right now Abbott “had a very rich experience. We’re really commercial programs available are “almost promote.” is working as a residence hall director at excited about it.” entirely people trying to sell you posters,” Austenfeld, who taught in public Olivet and also is the campus director of Olivet requires its teacher candidates said Austenfeld, who studied the topic for schools for six years, has been executive student organizations. She incorporates to spend 14 weeks in classroom training. his master’s thesis. Some programs suggest director of the center for 12 years. He has character education into her work with Curtis said she believes the seven weeks weekly character activities, but not many a Bachelor of Science degree in education campus leaders in the same way she would they will spend at Sherman Lake will help focus on character values as the starting from Emporia State University in Kansas in a classroom, she said, by talking about them become better classroom managers point in a curriculum. Integrated Education and a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership respect and caring. and give them a better understanding of does just that, he said, using the core values and management from Springfield College One of her friends from Sherman Lake, how to help children develop life skills in of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. in Massachusetts. The center itself is a full- who is now a fourth grade teacher, told Abbott addition to academic skills. They also will Austenfeld noted that those are “universal service YMCA that offers summer camps, she also is using core values in the classroom. have direct teaching experience at the camp, values, not religious values.” retreats and year-round family recreation in “You have to be honest,” Abbott quoted her she pointed out. “I don’t think there’s one How would a teacher combine charac- addition to the school programs. friend. “You can’t cheat on tests. You have to major subject area that can’t be incorporated ter values with an English lesson? According He does not have long-term empirical be responsible. You can’t hit anybody.” at Sherman Lake.” to the Integrated Education plan, the teacher evidence on the academic effect of Sherman That’s the kind of story that Austenfeld There are 32 state-approved teacher would first explain the activity and then the Lake Integrated Education, Austenfeld said, wants to hear. “It’s pretty hard to change preparation programs in Michigan and about class together would discuss how it relates but teachers and principals tell him they minds, but it’s easy to shape them,” he 7,500 new teachers are certified each year, to character. Next the class would carry have noticed improved student/teacher said. “We’re in the business of shaping according to the Michigan Department of out the activity and, finally, class members relationships, better test scores and fewer minds.” 6

for immediate consumption. The bill all kinds of property. House Bill 4125 was introduced by Rep. Brian Palmer, would permit a school board, in cases where more than 18 additional hold continued from Page 5 R-Romeo. After final revisions, the bill passed the House, 58-49, and the Senate, harmless mills are required, to exempt prohibited illegal aliens or aliens without Granholm vetoes ISD changes 32-6, in December. each principal residence and all qualified agricultural property from some or all of permanent residence status to receive A bill that would have affected elections, www.michiganvotes.org/2006-HB-6004 various scholarships or other financial aid financial reporting and sales of property those mills. The bill passed in the House in Michigan. House Bills 5301-5309 would in intermediate school districts was Tweaking millage rates on a 98-2 vote in November and in the have amended a variety of statutes regarding vetoed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in Senate on Dec. 14 in a 37-0 vote and was Certain school districts would be approved by Granholm in January. nursing scholarships, work-study programs, January. Most ISD boards are selected allowed to exempt principal residences educational opportunity grants and other by the boards of their constituent school and qualified agricultural property from www.michiganvotes.org/2006-HB-4125 forms of financial aid. Under the proposed districts and some local board members part of the local school operating mill- Board members can volunteer changes, recipients in any of the programs serve on both the local board and the age under House Bill 4125. Introduced would have had to provide evidence of being ISD board. Under the proposal, if a by Rep. Paul Condino, D-Southfield, A school board member could volunteer a permanent resident of the United States school board member were the third on February 1, 2005, the bill affects the as an unpaid coach or extracurricular or being in the country for other than a person from the same board to be elected Southfield and River Rouge school dis- activity supervisor in a school district temporary purpose, with the intention of to the ISD board, he or she would tricts. Under Michigan’s school financ- under House Bill 5890. Current law becoming a citizen or permanent resident. have to resign one of the positions. ing system, owner-occupied principal prohibits a member of a governmental Originally introduced in 2005, and spon- The bill also would have revised some residences and qualified agricultural body (including a school board) from sored by different legislators, most of the procedures for timing of elections. In property pay a 6-mill state education tax, also being a paid employee. As originally bills made their way through the House addition, the bill would have required and owners of other kinds of property introduced by Rep. John Espinoza, D- Higher Education, Government Opera- ISDs to state in their annual financial (rental, commercial, and industrial) pay Croswell, the legislation would have tions and Veteran’s Affairs and Homeland disclosure reports how much was spent an additional 18-mill local property tax. been limited to districts with a popula- Security committees before final approval in individually on public relations, poll- Certain higher spending school districts tion of less than 15,000. A later version the House in April 2006 and in the Senate ing and lobbying, rather than lumping are permitted to levy supplemental “hold removed that restriction. The volunteer in December 2006. A similar bill, HB 5310, those figures together. School code harmless” mills to support per-pupil board member could not vote on mat- would prohibit state merit award college already prohibits ISD board members spending levels, based on their spend- ters related to athletic issues that came scholarships for illegal aliens or aliens not and administrators from accepting any ing level at the time Proposal A passed. before the school board. The bill passed granted permanent residence status. That money, goods or services valued at more The first 18 mills of hold harmless in the House in a 103-1 vote on Dec. 7, bill was also approved by the House in than $44 from a person who does busi- mills are to be levied only on principal and was referred to the Senate Education April but was still under consideration in ness of any kind with the ISD. Under residences and qualified agricultural Committee on Dec. 12. the Senate as of December. the proposal that would not apply to property. If additional hold harmless www.michiganvotes.org/2006-HB-5890 6 www.michiganvotes.org/2006-HB-5301 meals or to other foods or beverages mills are needed, they are levied against 12 Michigan Education Report www.educationreport.org Spring 2007 Dean Transportation, MEA at odds over unions Bus company to appeal ruling The private bus company that now Dean must recognize GRESPA. He said that Michigan school districts. ager, said private bus companies can help transports thousands of Grand Rapids the former Grand Rapids Public Schools Based in Lansing, Dean Transporta- school districts save money regardless of Public Schools students has appealed a drivers report to the same location and the tion has more than 500 employees and union contracts. federal ruling saying it must recognize one same supervisors as previously, that they do transports special education students in Each of Laidlaw’s 10 contracts for employee union instead of another. not regularly mingle with Dean drivers in school districts in the Grand Rapids area as transportation is handled differently. Some A number of companies and school other locations, and that they should retain well as in Alma, Mount Pleasant, St. Johns of the districts are non-union, he said, but district officials are watching the case, but their identity as a separate bargaining unit, and Holland. Most of the transportation some are represented by MEA affiliates and opinion is mixed on whether the ruling, if not as part of a larger Dean workforce. The is arranged through intermediate school others by the Teamsters union. Laidlaw does it stands, will discourage private companies Grand Rapids drivers report to a bus center districts. During the hearing, Dean pointed not have its own employee union. from entering the school transportation at 900 Union Street. to its central hiring system, centralized poli- One reason Laidlaw can offer school market. In the same ruling, the judge said that cies and procedures, and single system for districts competitive contracts is the large Dean Transportation hired about 100 the Dean Transportation Employee Union wages and benefits as evidence of its regional size of its operation overall, he said. The former Grand Rapids Public Schools bus “has been restraining and coercing employ- approach. company contracts with some 1,000 districts drivers when it signed a five-year contract ees” by applying its collective bargaining The reason the former Grand Rapids in various states, with more than 40,000 with the district in June 2005. Dean says agreement with Dean to the new drivers. drivers report to the same location and do vehicles and 41,000 drivers. those drivers now are part of the Dean The judge said that the union violated labor essentially the same job as previously is that “When you operate 40,000 vehicles, Transportation Employee Union, which law when it told the new drivers they would Dean and the school district wanted a smooth there are economies of scale in cost of parts represents other Dean drivers and related be required to join DTEU and pay dues. transition on behalf of special education … electronic routing … and mechanics,” transportation staff. But the Michigan Dean is appealing the decision to the students, Khorey said. The idea was to “be he said. “We find that our staffing levels are Education Association, a school employees full National Labor Relations Board on the seamless, and over time do the consolida- much more efficient.” union, says the drivers still are represented grounds that Marcionese “failed to consider tions. This was seen as a process. … You’ve The company also does not have to pay by the Grand Rapids Education Support the regionalized nature of Dean transporta- got to look at this down the road a little.” the retirement benefits that are required of Personnel Association, an MEA affiliate, tion and Dean operations,” Dean attorney In a statement issued after the ruling, public school districts he said, which con- just as they were when they were district David Khorey told Michigan Education Kellie Dean said, “(W)e remain focused on siderably reduces the cost. employees. Report. our key priority of providing safe, reliable The number of school districts hiring The MEA filed unfair labor practice “The question is, what is the appropri- transportation for the students of Grand private firms to provide food, custodial and charges against Dean last fall when Dean ate bargaining unit? Is it just Union Street Rapids Public Schools.” transportation services is growing steadily. declined to bargain a new contract with or is it everybody?” Khorey said. Most of However, the president of GRESPA According to the Mackinac Center for GRESPA. The NLRB case is one of several the Union Street drivers transport special said the judge’s ruling “shows you that we Public Policy’s 2006 privatization survey, disputes related to the contract. education students, he pointed out, and did things right.” 37.8 percent of public school districts have The union also had filed a lawsuit Dean believes those drivers have more in “Anybody who works out of the 900 a competitive contract in place for one of against Dean in 17th Circuit Court in Kent common with other drivers of special edu- Union center is our member,” Steve Spica those three services. When the Grand Rapids County, alleging “tortiuous interference” cation students than with regular education told Michigan Education Report. “I hope Public Schools Board of Education approved with the contract between the union and drivers who are at the same location. “Who’s it makes other districts think twice about the contract with Dean, school officials Grand Rapids Public Schools. Tortiuous got the community of interest here? It’s not privatizing any of our positions.” estimated a savings of $18 million over five interference cases allege intentional damage just the Union Street garage.” Similarly, MEA Uniserv Director Buz years. With student enrollment at about to a business relationship or contract by a Khorey said he believes the ruling, if it Graebner said the ruling means GRESPA 20,500, the savings would equal about $870 third party. The parties settled out of court stands, would discourage private bus com- has the right to represent all full-time driv- per child for the five years combined. in early February, with Dean agreeing to pay panies from signing contracts with public ers, regular part-time drivers, mechanics and According to the Michigan State Police, $600,000 to the union. According to a report school districts in Michigan, but the general route planners at the Grand Rapids center. which is responsible for school bus safety in The Grand Rapids Press, Kellie Dean, manager of another private bus company, “We think the full (National Labor Relations) inspections, there is a fleet of about 17,500 company owner, said the settlement was a Laidlaw Education Services, said he doubts Board is going to uphold it,” he said. school buses in Michigan. Of those, about “business decision,” and that the union had the ruling would have any impact on his A date for the hearing has not been 1,300 are contracted vehicles owned by requested more than $30 million. company. set. In the meantime, Dean is treating the private companies. However, in some cases In the NLRB case, Administrative Law “It doesn’t affect our continuing desire Grand Rapids drivers as if they are part of a public school may retain ownership of Judge Michael Marcionese agreed with the to work in Michigan,” said Robert Rutkoski, the DTEU, Khorey said. its vehicles but hire a private company to MEA in a ruling in September, saying that who oversees Laidlaw’s operations in 10 Rutkoski, Laidlaw’s area general man- provide drivers and management. 6

and the non-member teachers, saying that A Grand Valley State University project of 2001 requires 100 percent of teachers to a union should be allowed to charge only will convert cow manure into energy at teach in their field of expertise in the core continued from Page One those fees that are related to its statutory an area dairy farm. The school’s Michigan academic areas of elementary education, duties as the bargaining agent and that the Alternative Renewable Energy Center will special education, math, science, English, many Michigan school districts – but statute requiring affirmative authorization be constructed at the den Dulk Dairy near foreign languages, art, social studies, eco- not all. More than 300 districts reported is constitutional. Ravenna, according to Imad Mahawili, the nomics, political science, geography and their fund balance increased from 2004 to center’s executive director. The plant is history. Flora Jenkins, director of the Office 2005, and a few small districts have cash on A study at the University of Michigan expected to be in operation by midsummer. of Professional Preparation for the Michigan hand equal to 90 percent or more of their will focus on whether the campus is The plan is to convert manure into methane Department of Education, said the depart- operating budgets. using its space effectively. The study gas and subsequently into electricity, a Mus- ment expects the June deadline to be met. will focus on building use and energy costs; kegon Chronicle article reported, and also The Millington Board of Education has why fewer classes are held in the mornings, to produce, as a byproduct, a nutrient-rich Northville Public Schools officials are opted not to collect union dues on behalf evenings and on Fridays; and professor fertilizer free of pathogens and odors. investigating privatizing the district’s of the Tri-County/Millington Education office space, according to an article in The 175 custodial and maintenance, food service Association since the teachers union con- Ann Arbor News. The cost of heating and A new teacher contract including slight and transportation employees. The move is tract expired on June 30, 2006. The district cooling buildings also was a reason to do the pay raises and lower health insurance an effort to save money, according to David and teachers are now in negotiations over study. Energy costs went up by $20 million costs has been approved in Harper Bolitho, Northville Public Schools assistant a new contract; health insurance costs are in the past two years, the article reported. Creek Community Schools near Battle superintendent. Bolitho said in an article a key issue. Creek. The teachers’ current health insur- in the Northville Record in December Howell Public Schools expects to save ance plan, administrated through the Michi- that it is too early in the process to estimate Ithaca, Alma and St. Louis schools will about $2 million by refinancing its gan Education Special Services Association, Northville’s savings. 6 conduct Board of Education elections Parker High School and other con- an affiliate of the Michigan Education in November rather than May as a cost- struction projects. The plan is to issue Association, a school employees union, saving move. As reported in the Saginaw $75 million in bonds at current market rates will change to a different MESSA plan. News, the elections now will coincide with for the purpose of refunding a portion of The Harper Creek Education Association Alert! city, county, state and federal general elec- the original bonds, according to local news represents about 163 teachers. tions. The change also means that all board reports. The district already refinanced Don’t let your subscription members will serve six-year terms instead nearly $8 million of the original bonds, The Ewen-Trout Creek Board of Educa- to Michigan Education of four-year terms. saving taxpayers an estimated $400,000. The tion has submitted a deficit elimination savings should show up in form of lowered plan to the Michigan Department of Edu- Report expire. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected rates on future property tax bills. cation which calls for erasing the district’s to hear arguments this term over $1.2 million deficit by 2010. The four-year Visit www.educationreport.org whether a public-sector union can Holland Public Schools will begin plan calls for small revenue increases and to renew today. Enjoy four issues a year, use nonmembers’ fees for political hiring substitute teachers through a major expenditure decreases, according to activity or whether it must first obtain private firm, joining about 25 other a report in the Ironwood Daily Globe. The each one filled with news and analysis the nonmembers’ consent. The case, school districts in Kent and Ottawa plan assumes an increase in donations and about public policy and education on appeal from the Washington Supreme counties. The districts subcontract with cost-saving measures for extracurricular Court, consolidates two suits pitting the the Professional Employment Services activities, but maintains all academic pro- issues that matter most to you. You can Washington Education Association against Group of Caledonia. According to a report grams. The district is located in Ontonagon also sign up for Michigan Education the State of Washington and non-member in the Grand Rapids Press, school officials County. teachers. The question is whether the WEA say the change is generally going well and Digest, a weekly e-mail summary of can use agency fees – paid by non-members saves districts about 8.5 percent of substitute Most Michigan school districts will top education news delivered right to the union for representation – for political costs. The districts also avoid paying almost have “highly qualified” teachers in place purposes. The Mackinac Center for Public 18 percent of the daily pay into the state’s in time to meet a June 2007 deadline, state to your inbox. Policy has filed a brief in support of the state retirement system, as well as FICA tax. officials say. The No Child Left Behind Act Spring 2007 www.educationreport.org Michigan Education Report 13

gan county rejected Proposal 5. In 70 of Pension costs seen as key reason Michigan’s 83 counties, the margin of defeat was 20 or more points. Given the prominence of pension funding during the election season, many voters reject Proposal 5 now think that reform will be considered more seriously by policymakers. Some Michigan voters faced a crowded ballot Hoogendyk said the Proposal 5 defeat blank check with no accountability mea- have suggested switching public education in November. One initiative, Proposal 5, should not be seen as an anti-education sures.” employees from a defined-benefit pension would have mandated public education fund- vote. But MacGregor said his group was not plan to a defined-contribution plan. ing increases every year. Voters rejected the “About the only local millage you can avoiding accountability. Such a change, MacGregor said, would measure 62-38, in large part because school get passed anymore is for the schools, but “This was not a constitutional amend- not be a cure-all. employee pensions became a major issue. only when they believe it’s for the kids.” ment, it was a legislative initiative, just like “What may work in the private sector Citing decreased state per-student The majority of the cost behind Pro- any other appropriations process,” Mac- doesn’t mean it will work in the public grants and asserting a connection between posal 5, Hoogendyk said, was for teacher Gregor said. “The accountability part is sector,” he said. education spending and economic growth, pensions. already in place through the school codes.” But Braun noted that many public- and the “K-16 Coalition” fought for the mea- Ken Braun, a policy analyst for the Experts, however, point to another issue private-sector pensions are moving from sure with dozens of glossy mailings, radio Mackinac Center for Public Policy, agrees. on voters’ minds: pensions. defined-benefit to defined-contribution advertisements and yard signs. Citizens “Proposal 5 was a referendum on the While it was well known that Proposal systems. Most Michigan state employees for Education, a political action committee cost of public education pensions,” said 5 would have mandated annual funding have already made this change. backed by the Michigan Education Associa- Braun, who wrote an extensive policy increases for public schools, community col- “Conventional defined-benefit pen- tion union, received more than $4 million in brief about the issue prior to the election. leges and public universities at an amount sions … are being rapidly phased out contributions, including $3.4 million from “Its resounding defeat demonstrates that equal to the rate of inflation, the greater because of their substantial cost,” he said. the National Education Association union. Michigan taxpayers are cost conscious and costs would have been tied to shifting future “If there is a message in the lopsided vote Its other supporters included local unions demand reform of the teacher pension increases in pension funding to the state. against Proposal 5, it is that Michigan taxpay- and union officials. system, not papering over the problem with Various analyses pegged the total cost of the ers want the cost of public school employee Those contributions were about double more dollars.” proposal at as much as $700 million in the benefits brought back into line with the rest what the groups opposing Proposal 5 Tricia Kinley, the director of tax policy first year. This could have skyrocketed to more of the real world.” received, according to campaign disclosures and economic development for the Michi- than $1 billion in additional funding per year, Legislation that passed in the Senate filed with the Michigan Secretary of State. gan Chamber of Commerce, said Proposal due largely to the pension-funding shift. last year but failed by a half-dozen votes in Rep. Jack Hoogendyk, a member of the 5’s defeat means “taxpayers are not willing “There are only two ways to pay for the House would have created a defined- House Tax Policy Committee, attributes to just keep throwing money at the educa- that,” Kinley said. “You either increase taxes contribution pension plan for new teachers, the defeat of Proposal 5 to the intelligence tion system without getting a return on their or cut services.” while keeping current teachers and retires of voters. investment.” Kinley said voters also realized that in the same defined-benefit plans they’ve “People are a little smarter than some Kinley served as the spokeswoman for the shifting pension and retiree health insurance always had. gave them credit for,” he said from his “Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate,” costs to the state could harm local schools. “This should send a message and Lansing office recently. “They do read and comprised of the Chamber and more than 30 “It ultimately removed any incentive embolden the Legislature that it’s okay to understand the proposals, and Michigan taxpayer, local government, law enforcement, for school boards to make tough decisions at vote for this change,” Hoogendyk said. by and large is a conservative state when it professional associations and health care orga- the bargaining table,” she said. “They would “The people want it. This kind of change comes to fiscal or tax or social policy. It’s nizations. At least four school boards voted not have been absolved.” wouldn’t take anything away from anyone; more than just the results of Democrats to support the ballot measure. MacGregor said the state could have it would simply ask future employees to versus Republicans.” “I have to give the Chamber credit,” “plenty of revenue” to fund the pension accept what is the standard in the private To that end, Hoogendyk points not only said Ken MacGregor, spokesman for the liability if tax cuts from the 1990s were sector and is fast becoming the standard in to the drubbing of the mandated school K-16 Coalition. “The education community reversed. the public sector.” 6 funding measure, but also the passage of a was out there all alone while all the special “The pension issue wasn’t really the civil rights initiative and a private property interests were arrayed against it.” Achilles’ heel,” he said. This article originally appeared in The protection initiative. Kinley said the K-16 proposal was “a But a majority of voters in every Michi- Heartland Institute’s Budget & Tax News.

Public Schools, which reduced options for low-income, central city and minority Fourth-grade teacher wins iPod families for decades, expanded both neigh- borhood school options and specialty from Michigan Education Report schools previously targeted to middle class Trischa Buseth, a Buseth wrote that public educators need and white enrollments. International Bac- fourth-grade teacher with to be open to change, but also that teachers Milton Friedman’s calaureate, Montessori, and other popular Concord Community need to be respected and appreciated. specialties have been replicated in both Schools, won an iPod A regular reader of educationreport ideas are Milwaukee Public Schools and the choice from Michigan Educa- .org, Buseth said, “I felt it was an impor- and charter sectors. tion Report in a contest tant issue to comment on and something working Milwaukee has redefined “public edu- aimed at generating dia- I am obviously concerned about. … I am cation” from a government monopoly to Trischa Buseth logue about Michigan in this job because I have a passion for in Milwaukee a multi-sector public service delivered by schools. The promotion continues in this teaching. And, of course, it’s always fun to governmental, independent and religious issue, with another iPod as the prize. win a contest!” Buseth has been a teacher schools schools. Parents know, or learn fast, which schools work and which schools don’t. Buseth’s name was chosen in for 12 years and has been employed with Milton Friedman is most widely Best of all, terrible, persistently fail- a random drawing that included the Concord since 1999. known and celebrated for his monetary ing schools have closed. Middle schools names of all the readers who filed com- Readers who would like to comment policy. But school choice – making for sixth- through eighth-graders — an ments about articles in the Winter 2006 about articles in this issue can visit the markets work for parents and students often bad idea in general, with disastrous issue of MER at its online edition, online edition at www.educationreport – was one of his most passionate priori- results in many urban low-income com- www.educationreport.org. She commented .org. A drawing for the second iPod will ties. Friedman’s critical insight has been munities — have closed and been replaced on an article about Angus McBeath, take place later this spring. redirecting debate from one of mandates by smaller, safer kindergarten through retired superintendent of Edmonton versus markets, to making markets work eighth-grade schools. Three low-per- Public Schools in Alberta, Canada, and Listen to Buseth’s interview at – especially for people locked out of mar- forming high schools have been shut 30 years of school reform in his district. www.EducationReport.org/8246. kets by poverty, monopoly and constricted down and converted to multiplex facilities supply. for smaller, more responsive academies. School choice has earned its largest, Milwaukee public elementary schools longest experiment in Milwaukee, Wis. that cannot sustain their enrollment are Eighteen thousand children attend inde- closed and no longer drain the system of pendent and religious schools financed by resources. the education vouchers Friedman advo- Mr. Friedman died on Nov. 16, 2006. cated for half a century. Another 10,000 In the last 10 years of his life, he concen- Lorie A. Shane Ryan S. Olson Daniel E. Montgomery attend charter schools independent of trated on promoting educational freedom Managing Editor Director of Education Policy Graphic Designer Milwaukee Public Schools, and over 8,000 through school choice, including found- Milwaukee students enroll in school dis- ing the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Michigan Education Report is a news and analysis quarterly published by the tricts outside the City of Milwaukee. Foundation with his wife. Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and But tens of thousands of Milwaukee The market Friedman envisioned choice students are not the biggest story. works. Remarkably, school choice works educational institute devoted to analyzing Michigan public policy issues. The greatest surprise has been how Mil- not only for students, families, and inde- Michigan Education Report is received by over 150,000 Michigan teachers, admin- waukee Public Schools has responded to the pendent and religious schools, but for challenge and competition from vouchers, Milwaukee Public Schools. 6 istrators, school board members, policy experts and elected officials. ©2007. charters and suburban schools. Fifteen All rights reserved. Permission to reprint any article contained herein must years into Milwaukee’s school choice John Gardner is a self-described left-wing be obtained from Michigan Education Report. Please contact the editor at: experiment, more than half of Milwaukee Democratic organizer, with 40 years’ experience Public School’s 90,000 students attend with labor unions, cooperatives, election, and Michigan Education Report • 140 West Main Street • P.O. Box 568 schools that did not exist in their current schools. He has come to believe that markets format when school choice started. constitute one essential form of democratic power, Midland, Michigan 48640 Schools offering effective programs essential to “democracy’s three essential values of 989-631-0900 • Fax 989-631-0964 have thrived and grown. Milwaukee liberty, equality and community.” www.EducationReport.org • [email protected] 14 Michigan Education Report www.educationreport.org Spring 2007

of desks, food or computers, or in other works employment scheme. They exist areas provided by the for-profit private primarily for the benefit of the families sector? Do we have a national crisis in who send their children to them. If a paper and pencils? school board finds that it makes sense The education crisis that concerns to contract out operations like custodial Americans from coast to coast is not in or busing services and put the savings to these things. It’s in what happens in the work for the kids, doing so ought to be Profit has classroom, the part that is delivered by a no-brainer. To waste time and money government, regulated by legislatures, spreading myths and misconceptions certified by government university about profits and private firms serves a role in education departments and supervised no one but selfish interests. 6 by district bureaucracies — the part public that could benefit from the same choice, Lawrence W. Reed is president of the accountability and dynamism that make Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a our relatively free, profit-driven econ- research and educational organization head- schools omy the envy of the world. quartered in Midland, Mich. A good number of politicians and A version of this commentary was published in bureaucrats don’t like profit, and that’s the Midland Daily News on Dec. 31, 2006. nothing new. They’ve been bad-mouth- ing and taxing it since the sun first came Is it wrong for a private company to up in the east. For some like the MEA, A l e r t ! earn a profit when it does business with it’s self-serving rhetoric. On the part of a public school? Is it ever appropriate for others, it represents neither deep thought Don’t let your subscription to Michigan Education a public school to contract with a private, nor study, but simply knee-jerk bias. Report expire. profit-making company at all? School districts should consider all Visit www. educationreport.org to renew today. Enjoy four issues a year, each one filled with These questions or variations of them options fully and objectively — includ- come up every time that a school board ing provision of goods and services by news and analysis about public policy and education issues that matter most to you. You can considers any form of privatization or “con- their own employees, by volunteers, also sign up for Michigan Education Digest, a weekly e-mail summary of top education news tracting out” — in part because the unions by nonprofits and by for-profit firms. delivered right to your inbox. that represent school employees use them Schools aren’t supposed to be a public to raise objections. Unions oppose privatiza- tion even when they employ it themselves at their own headquarters. Critics of privatization often make an issue of the fact that charter schools sometimes hire private management firms. In opposing this, one former state representative told an audience, “I don’t believe it’s appropriate for somebody to make a profit off of public education.” But if we follow the anti-profit premise to its logical conclusion, we would have to pass laws requiring public schools to hire only govern- ment-owned construction companies to build or renovate new buildings (fortunately, the government usually doesn’t run construction companies). Desks, chalk and pencils would have to be purchased from government-owned desk, chalk and pencil factories (fortu- nately, the government usually doesn’t run those either, except in places like North Korea). At lunch time, students would have to eat food that was grown on state-run collective farms and sold in government grocery stores by govern- ment employees. Or, alternatively, we could pass laws that tell public schools it’s all right to buy these things from private com- panies, but only from those that lose money instead of earn it in the form we call “profit.” It’s hard to imagine that school districts could find suppliers who would provide a good or a service at a loss. Not even the Michigan Education Association does that. In addition to the tens of millions of dollars it extracts in compulsory dues from its union mem- bers every year, the MEA’s monstrously expensive health insurance operation, MESSA, rakes in hundreds of millions more from taxpayers. In fact, the MEA is not so much against profit as it is simply against somebody other than the MEA making any. In the MEA’s flagship publication, MEA President Luigi Battaglieri stated: Call us today! “Private companies don’t care about our students or our communities. They are in the business for the money. They aim to turn a profit and that’s not in the best interest of public education.” But the headline for the cover story in the very same publication read, “Adrian City Animation Co. food service staff fight privatization by 57 Park St. turning big profits for district.” Troy, MI 48083 Perhaps Mr. Battaglieri was unaware 248-589-0600 that the profits that private companies [email protected] earn allow them and their employees www.cityanimation.com to pay the taxes that keep him and the MEA in business. The fact is that public schools have always relied on profit-making firms for just about everything. Maybe what’s needed in the public schools is more profit, not less. Think about it: Where is the crisis in public education these days? Is it in the quality or availability Spring 2007 www.educationreport.org Michigan Education Report 15

too few new participants replacing the retired ones. MPSERS Membership Strangely, reform of MPSERS has been and Funding Ratios, 2000-2005 avoided by state legislators, even though increasing burdens are weighing on school Retired Active Funding Ratio boards and administrators. Consider the

How Dewey got It’s time to schools’ perspective: This year, contribu- Funding Ratio 100 tions to the pension system will likely cost 450 school districts approximately $1,040 per 90 it wrong — again get serious 400 ­_____ student, according to a recent estimate from 80 Michigan’s Senate Fiscal Agency. More- 350

about school (in percent) John Dewey & the over, MPSERS payments last year were 70 300 Decline of American employee estimated to have eaten up more than half 60 of the increase in per-student state funding. 250 50 Education: How the The Senate Fiscal Agency projects that this pension reform 200 40 Patron Saint of Schools year, MPSERS costs will consume almost (in thousands) On Election Day, voters in every 13 percent of districts’ tax-funded income. 150 30 Has Corrupted Teaching county decisively rejected Proposal 5, part To deal with these rising costs, more than 100 20 of which would have transferred a portion a third of Michigan school districts are and Learning 50 10 of future school employee pension fund- laudably pursuing better management Membership by Henry T. Edmondson III, ing from local school districts to the state strategies by competitively contracting non- 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 ISI Books, 2006. general fund. instructional services. Others are seeking Valuation Date­on Sept. 30 But a problem the proposal sought to reasonably priced, quality health insurance Source: Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports address still remains: Underfunded school benefits. But a sound solution for the over- of MPSERS, 2000-2005 employee pensions. Future responsibility promised system would offer even more The amount of money in the school retirement fund for the unfunded promises of the Michigan relief to districts. is shown here as a percent of the amount actuaries Public School Employee Retirement System One “solution” to the growing burden say is needed to meet the fund’s obligations. (MPSERS) will continue to burden school is to raise taxes when the bills come due. districts, and substantive pension reform is This would mean that, in addition to invest- tion plans isn’t new, even among public the only way to ensure school employees’ ing for their own retirement, the majority of employees in Michigan. Nearly a decade and taxpayers’ security. Michigan taxpayers would be on the hook ago, Michigan lawmakers closed the Michi- MPSERS is a defined-benefit program, for the unfunded liabilities. Another fix is to gan State Employee Retirement System and meaning the system promises members put the burden on the backs of the public instituted a defined-contribution plan for health insurance coverage and a set monthly employees: raise the retirement age, close new state employees. ­_____ pension payment upon their retirement. It the system to new hires or hike the contri- Michigan citizens and school employees is easy to get distracted by all the technical bution rate. Neither is desirable. should keep a close eye on the unfunded If the title of Henry T. Edmondson’s public finance and accounting language like A better solution would be to look to promises of MPSERS. While MPSERS’ book leaves any room for doubt as to his present value, expected rates of return and the private sector. Private sector employers unfunded liabilities may not seem a pressing views on John Dewey and Dewey’s life expectancies. But the concept is simple. are realizing defined-benefit systems like problem today, they will add increasing strain educational theories, the book’s subtitle If the fund’s assets do not equal what it MPSERS do not serve today’s aging and on the state budget, shoving aside spending should make clear Edmondson’s belief: promises to pay, it is “underfunded” or, more mobile workforce. Instead, many employers on schools’ primary instructional mission and Dewey’s lasting influence on the U.S. accurately, over-promised. are transitioning to defined-contribution legitimate state government functions. Now education system has wrought nothing According to the latest MPSERS plans such as 401(k)s. A defined contri- that the ominous “solutions” of Proposal 5 are but diminishing returns, if not all-out financial report, the program is 79.3 per- bution plan could help to eliminate the behind us, Michigan citizens should demand catastrophic results. Edmondson makes cent funded. That means that the pension program’s unfunded promises and protect that their state legislators take responsibility a compelling case that Dewey was far fund’s assets are only 79.3 percent of what taxpayers from the program’s debt. for reforming the school employee pension more interested in using public educa- actuaries have projected it will need to pay Such a program can be designed in a system for the good of the employees and of tion for social reform rather than aca- out to retired members, which amounts to way that protects inexperienced investors, Michigan citizens. 6 demic learning, and in placing students’ a shortfall of about $10 billion. keeps administrative costs low and allows vocational concerns above encouraging a This fact would not be so onerous, participants to build the largest possible Ryan S. Olson is director of education policy for the traditional liberal arts education. if the ratio of assets to liabilities had been retirement nest egg while reducing risk as Mackinac Center for Public Policy, an indepen- Edmondson, a professor of politi- holding steady or increasing. But that isn’t retirement age approaches. State officials dent, nonprofit research and educational institute cal science at Georgia College, enlists the case. Just six years ago, MPSERS was could look to the federal Thrift Savings Plan headquartered in Midland, Mich., and Matt the wisdom of a host of Western civili- 99.3 percent funded. The slip is due to a (TSP), the 401(k) plan for millions of federal Moore is a senior policy analyst with the National zation’s greatest thinkers — including variety of factors, including a stock market employees, as an example. Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas. Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, Thomas slump, increasing numbers of retirees and This trend toward defined-contribu- Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin — as well as such diverse writers of the past 100 years as Flannery O’Connor, Detroit show that’s just what those parents social outcomes. International research J.R.R. Tolkien, Allan Bloom and G. K. are doing. Thousands of children assigned shows that private schools forced to com- Chesterton, to bear on what he consid- to the Detroit Public Schools district now pete for students are more academically ers recklessness wrought by Dewey’s attend nearby charter schools or public effective and less costly to operate than educational reforms. schools in other districts. state-run schools. Our own research shows Lest mention of these writers Michigan’s private education sector that higher ratings on our Cato Education cast the author as a right-wing crank Michigan is adds more weight on the side of educational Market Index are associated with higher who disparages all progressive reform, freedom. Private schools in this state are not academic achievement and higher gradua- Edmondson also takes issue with the above average required, for example, to hire government- tion rates – even after controlling for differ- No Child Left Behind Act, and writes certified teachers – a credential that has been ences in student and family characteristics in favor of educational innovation, – but that’s not shown to do little or no good in raising between the states. which he believes “builds upon tradi- student achievement. Unlike their public In school systems that have a monopoly tional processes and a recognized canon saying much counterparts, whose teachers must obtain on education, there is little incentive for and designs new and dynamic ways to degrees from state-accredited colleges of teachers or administrators to innovate or to teach that material.” Innovations pro- Michigan education officials and Gov. education, private schools can decide for develop and disseminate best practices. In moted by Edmondson include freeing Jennifer Granholm were happy to announce themselves who is best for the job. contrast, school managers in a competitive teachers from paperwork so they may improved scores on state assessment tests But only 9 percent of Michigan stu- market have a powerful economic incentive actually teach, school vouchers, and this year, but there’s another number they dents attend private schools. Most are to identify and nurture brilliant teachers. charter and magnet schools. should be looking at. In a new ranking enrolled in traditional public schools, where Perhaps most importantly, free edu- Readers delving into Edmondson’s developed by the Cato Institute in Wash- there is little incentive for innovation or cation markets in Michigan would not brief book (114 pages) may not find ington, D.C., Michigan received a score of improvement. pit parent against parent in conflicts over as detailed an evisceration of Dewey’s only 17 out of 100. Low as it is, the number Here’s where Michigan loses points: school issues. Whether the school should pedagogical theories as previous works is above the national average. The state has limited the number of charter have a Christmas tree, whether students by Charles Sykes and Diane Ravitch, The Cato Education Market Index, schools that can be authorized by universi- should say the pledge of allegiance — all but will find instead an interesting gloss released last month, rates the states on the ties to 150, curtailing future growth, even these decisions are much less controversial of how an entire nation yielded to the ease with which parents can choose between though many existing schools have wait- when parents freely choose the school they whims of a man whom Edmondson public and private schools, the freedom ing lists. And, decisively, the state allocates find most appropriate for their children. depicts as attempting merely to further schools have to set their own policies, and approximately $7,000 per pupil a year for A recent Cato Institute study documents his personal agenda against authority, the extent of competition between schools children’s education but insists that this nearly 150 values conflicts caused by public history and traditional teaching meth- to attract and retain students. only be used in government-run schools, schools in the 2005-06 school year alone. ods, rather than to improve the cultural Michigan is hardly a competitive ensuring that independent schooling is Michigan could bring educational free- and civic welfare of the nation’s stu- marketplace in education, but one bright beyond the financial reach of many low- and dom to all of its families by implementing dents. The arguments may not be new, spot is that it has a larger than average middle-income families. a system of universal education tax credits but they certainly bear repeating. 6 number of charter schools. Roughly 5 As many parents are finding out, Mich- like the one advocated by the Mackinac percent of Michigan students are enrolled igan simply doesn’t have a competitive, Center for Public Policy. That would do a Bruce Edward Walker is science editor of in charter schools, compared to about 1 parent-driven marketplace in education. lot more for citizens than simply raising its MichiganScience, a former adjunct English percent nationwide. Another plus factor in If parental choice had no bearing on score on our Education Market Index. 6 professor at University of Detroit Mercy and Michigan’s score is that the state’s public student achievement, this wouldn’t be a editor of the John Dewey entry in Thomson schools offer marginally more parental problem. But it does. The reason we devel- Andrew J. Coulson is director of education Gale’s “Twentieth Century Literary Criti- choice than those of other states. School oped the Cato Education Market Index is policy for the Cato Institute, and author of “The cism,” Vol. 95. choice programs allow parents to cross that competition and choice are associated Cato Education Market Index.” He blogs at district lines, and enrollment figures from with a range of important educational and www.Cato-at-Liberty.org. 16DIVERSE Michigan EducationVIEWPOINTS Report www.educationreport.org Spring 2007 Do private employees in public schools provide the same quality of service as public employees in public schools?

YES: Decision to outsource was the right one NO: Schools that spend less usually get less

Michigan schools portation to Laidlaw in 2005-06, it School boards don’t and preparation. What’s more, many are facing a financial employed 32 transportation staff. Of typically decide to hire teachers opt to “just do it themselves” uphill battle. The econ- those, six had been with the ISD for outside companies to do to ensure the work gets done instead of omy is stagnant, they 15 years or more. Of the remaining 26 work historically per- submitting a formal request and hoping have received limited employees, the average longevity with formed by their own the work will get done eventually. state aid, their costs are the ISD was only 2.8 years. In addition, employees in order to Scheduling changes have hurt increasing, and, as a the ISD required that any contractor boost quality. quality, too. Teachers report that stu- Or to find more dent bathrooms often smell and are not Jim Palm result of Proposal A in offer ISD staff the first opportunity of Charles Bullard 1994, they do not have employment and, in fact, more than 80 loyal workers. cleaned from time to time, that class- the ability to acquire additional rev- percent signed on with Laidlaw. This Or to help students. rooms aren’t thoroughly vacuumed enue via local millages. Therefore, meant that more often than not, par- They do it because they’ve bought regularly and that it can take weeks schools are increasingly looking for ents and students saw the same drivers into the scam that they might spend before desks or tables are moved for cost-saving measures which would and attendants that they saw prior to less for the same (or better) services. vacuuming. least impact instructional services to outsourcing. But, this isn’t an article about money. Since each building doesn’t have a students – their primary mission. As a Local Control. If a district chooses It’s an article about service. And, consistent custodian, employees of the result, many school districts are inves- to privatize its services, some claim they when you spend less, you usually get district’s maintenance department are tigating the potential savings to be gen- give up control. The opposite is actually less. now called on to attend to mishaps. erated by outsourcing non-instructional true. The contractor works for the dis- You get less service. Or poorer quality. Or fewer “intangibles” – like services. This is an extremely difficult trict! On a day-to-day basis, the con- If you agree with this author, go to decision to make. It impacts jobs within tractor does have control over routes, loyalty and pride in one’s work, that, www.EducationReport.org/8255 the community; it raises questions by discipline of students and personnel while difficult to measure, are still parents concerned with student safety, – but only to the extent allowed by the important. And vote. and some even attempt to paint a pic- district. If a driver is negligent or fails Like most teachers, I’ve devoted ture of loss of control, increased costs to follow appropriate procedures, the my career to helping students. I believe Last year, a vomit mess in one and even corruption. corporation may impose the necessary that every decision in education should of our elementary buildings was left The Berrien County Intermedi- disciplinary procedures. In the more answer the simple question: Will this in a hallway for more than two days ate School District has had extensive severe cases, where student safety may help students? because maintenance staff members experience with sub-contracting. Food be in jeopardy, it may result in termina- Outsourcing the work of dedicated weren’t able to free themselves from service has been privatized for many tion. As public school employees, disci- public school employees — custodi- jobs elsewhere. The spot was simply years; transportation for programs at pline often resulted in time-consuming ans, bus drivers, teachers, food service sprinkled with absorbing pellets and Lighthouse Education Center (formerly and costly labor procedures which may workers, and other important people covered with a chair so people would North Lincoln School) had been out- include grievances, arbitrations, unfair who work together to educate students walk around it and not through it until sourced for more than 20 years, and on labor practice charges, wrongful dis- — doesn’t help children. In fact, it can it was cleaned up. July 1, 2005, the ISD contracted with charge suits, etc. negatively impact students. Another problem is noticeable at Laidlaw Education Services to provide In Holland, where I work, the the high school, where mold in one transportation for all of the district’s If you agree with this author, go to school board decided to outsource, classroom is visible across several ceil- or privatize, the jobs of people who ing tiles. The mold has been reported programs. The decision was not an www.EducationReport.org/8254 easy one. The board asked many ques- cleaned and took care of our facilities during each of the past two years, yet tions about student safety, the quality And vote. and the people who operated our print- the odor and discoloration remain. of service offered by private contractors ing services. These are just a few examples of and the cost savings which could be Cost. One widely disseminated Things haven’t been better — or how outsourcing the custodians’ jobs achieved. In the end, because of exhaus- document states that contract driv- even the same — since. has negatively impacted quality. tive scrutiny and because of our history ers receive low wages – specifically: It’s safe to say that many people, In my school district, the jobs of and experience with outsourcing, the “Employees (of private contractors) are including some school board members, people who print and copy materials for decision was made – and it has proven paid at near minimum wage.” When don’t understand the roles that custo- students were also outsourced. The dis- to be the correct one. There will be a sav- Laidlaw hired our drivers in July 2005, dians play in educating our students. trict hired a major private company to ings of $1 million per year for five years the minimum wage was $5.15 per hour. They do more than “just” clean class- do the work. Yet this company doesn’t with no reduction in student safety. Our employees who signed on with rooms and mop floors, to be sure. have the same expertise as our in- Following is what we have learned Laidlaw received $15.05 per hour – Custodians strive to provide a house employees. Outside companies over the past two decades. almost three times the minimum wage. safe, clean and healthy environment hold no loyalty to individual school Safety. Without exception, the It is true that they did not continue to for children to learn. Without such an districts; they are for-profit companies safety of our students is our primary con- receive retirement benefits (currently environment, students and teachers that need to sell more copies to make cern. In fact, private contractors, because at almost 18 percent of salary), nor did can be sidetracked from their work by a profit. of their size, are able to provide more they receive the same health benefits anything from needing to empty a trash About a year after taking over the extensive and ongoing training than (for the ISD, that was almost $13,000 can to getting sick due to unsanitary copying work in my school district, staff schools. State requirements for qualifica- per year). Obviously, the major savings conditions. completed a survey of the company’s tions for school bus drivers are the same ($1 million per year) were a result of the Since our school custodians were performance; it included questions whether they are employed by a private district saving retirement and health fired, teachers have noticed many prob- about professionalism, responsiveness contractor or a public school. Vehicles are costs. However, they were all offered lems, including some that have gone and overall satisfaction. The survey newer and better maintained as a result jobs at the same hourly rate ($15.05 per unaddressed for long periods. revealed high levels of dissatisfaction. of bulk purchasing power and extensive hour) they had as ISD employees. Teachers don’t know from day to Nearly half rated their overall satis- and well-trained mechanics. You simply Having explained these concerns, day or week to week who the custo- faction “below average” or “poor.” They do not become a multi-million dollar stu- this remains an extremely difficult dian assigned to their building will be. also said their orders weren’t produced dent transportation corporation with a decision for any district to make. Hope- Therefore, we can’t rely on touching as requested or when requested. poor safety record! fully, school districts share a deep con- base with the building custodian on At a time when more is expected Personnel background checks. cern when it comes to staff and their various day-to-day issues that arise in of our students and our schools, we Michigan law requires all transporta- employment. However, we cannot let our schools. To the detriment of stu- shouldn’t accept less from the people tion personnel (publicly or privately our focus be diverted from our mis- dents and staff, the private company and companies with whom we do busi- employed) to undergo criminal back- sion of providing quality instructional hired to handle custodial needs sched- ness. ground checks, fingerprinting and programs for our students. With lim- ules different employees to different In the debate over outsourcing the random drug testing. The responsibil- ited resources we must remain fiscally buildings, according to their wishes and work of local school employees, I hope ity falls on the school whether these responsible and make the tough calls employee availability. When the cus- that more school boards will consider personnel are employed by the school when they are needed. This is not about todians were employed by the district, the quality of work needed to ensure or by a private company, which is under “corruption,” “profiteering,” “high turn- they were assigned to a specific build- that students have a safe, clean environ- contract with the school. There are over,” etc. Rather, it is about finding ing and other staff (and students and ment that is conducive to learning. no exceptions! Certainly anyone can the financial resources necessary to parents, too) knew who the custodian Anything less is unacceptable. research a database and find some pri- educate our students without compro- was for that job site. vate corporation employee somewhere mising their safety. Holland teachers now have to type Charles Bullard is a teacher and high who was at fault in an accident or was up formal requests for any and all cus- school band director with Holland Public convicted of some crime. But the same Jim Palm is the assistant superintendent todial needs, a burdensome task that Schools. is true of public school employees. of the Berrien County Intermediate School takes time away from teacher planning Personnel experience and turn- District. over. There are those who claim that when a private company assumes the Diverse Viewpoints are the opinions of the authors and not those of Michigan Education Report. transportation responsibilities of the Tell us what you think: “Do private employees in public schools provide the same quality of service as district, the drivers are new and stu- public employees in public schools?” dents/parents are not familiar with Send your comments to the following address: them. They also say that they “turn Michigan Education Report • Letters to the Editor • c/o Mackinac Center for Public Policy over” at a high rate. It has been our 140 West Main Street • P.O. Box 568 • Midland, Michigan 48640 • 989-631-0900 • Fax 989-631-0964 experience that this simply is not true. www.EducationReport.org • [email protected] When the ISD outsourced its trans-