Highlander Staff takes Penn bound Steltenkamp Despite cultural stigma, leads wrestling squad in boys suffer equally as sides on issue of security their quest for the league cameras title much as girls. INSIDE: Page 6. Page. 4. Page 8. T H E E R N E S T W. S E A H O L M HIGHLANDERFriday january 23rd, 2008 - 2436 W. LINCOLN RD. - BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 - 248.203.3803 - [email protected] SEAHOLM HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT VOICE www.Seaholmhighlander.com Security Cameras: No decision yet, debate continues Ellen Vonfoerster surveillance cameras in the Birmingham school board, who has the final say on 28 school districts in Oakland County The students also fear the possibility of community,” said Piper. “In the fall a Staff Writer district. the issue. we are one of the few districts that don’t cameras in classrooms in the future. student’s car was vandalized and with the “We don’t believe that security However, the board could add the have surveillance cameras.” Two students, junior Jake Drutchas help of the parking lot security cameras, [email protected] cameras confront the right problem,” issue to the Feb. 10 meeting’s agenda. If implemented, the cameras would and senior Nolan Astrein, attended Assistant Principal Deb Boyer was able The idea of adding security cameras said Seaholm senior and SASC member Though the push for cameras is now be placed at both locker room entrances Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting to solve the crime.” to school hallways at Groves and Sara Dzierbicki. “We need to focus on getting attention, building administrators and in various hallways. Cameras would to voice their opposition. SASC member and Seaholm junior Seaholm has rallied students from both students taking more responsibility. at both schools have had their eyes on not be placed inside locker rooms, However, Piper said the cameras Josh Schaefer isn’t sure cameras are schools to speak out in opposition. What happened to students locking their them for a while. bathrooms or classrooms. were for crime prevention, not to spy on needed. Students Against Security Cameras locks?” “Groves Principal Fred Procter and SASC claims that the cameras create students. “The administration claims that (SASC) – a group that this week had The possibility – which is still in I have been investigating the possibility a climate of fear and distrust, the cameras “The reason for putting in security more than 600 members on Facebook the early stages – has yet to be formally of security cameras for years,” said may not be effective, and the cost far cameras is to monitor and reduce Continued on Pg. 3 – wants to prevent the possibility of addressed, discussed or decided by the Seaholm Principal Terry Piper. “Of the outweighs the benefits of these cameras. theft, vandalism, and to create a safer See Cameras District projects big deficits Foreman’s Corner “State revenue increases have “It’s in indication of how the not matched either [inflation] or state of Michigan is doing because other escalation of expenditures. of its financial troubles is not able As expenses escalate, Peisz to fund education properly,” said said that the district is doing Seaholm Principal Terry Piper. everything possible to reduce “School funding is a big issue,” the impact of budget cuts on said BEA Vice President and classrooms. Seaholm social studies teacher Maples “We’re able to stave that off Scott Craig, but he thinks that because we are able to still make Birmingham equity could help cuts outside the classroom,” said aid any potential deficits. Remain Peisz. “We have a very fiduciary “Right now Birmingham has a board that takes their duties very surplus in the bank of about $21 Unbeaten seriously and has been able to million dollars its call an equity in OAA privatize custodial operations, fund,” said Craig. “So if we do David Foreman privatize transportation services, have a deficit this year or the year and hold staff raises to one percent after they could use some of the Staff Writer [email protected] to mitigate those problems.” equity fund that they have in the But even in spite of such efforts, bank.” Tuesday night was judgement day for there is always the possibility that However, in four years equity the streaking but relatively unproven boys classrooms will experience cuts. funds may not be enough to basketball team. “We’ll have increased class balance to budget. Data released Well, they passed with flying colors. Or in sizes and [schools] will have to from BPS of estimated excess Shaun Conway’s case, high-flying colors. cut programs unless the state revenues for the next three years With an 8-1(7-0) record, the talented squad funding changes.” assumes that if the district is able has been having their way with a handful A recent financial forecast to pay off the deficit for each year of considerably weaker opponents. Lanie Barron released report by the Birmingham coming up with cuts.” released by BPS predicts that if completely. However, if deficits This talented Maple squad proved that Board of Education. The total amount given to any district revenues don’t change accumulate over the years, BPS they are ready to contend for a conference News Editor within the next four years and could see as much as 32 million “Unfortunately, we have had school district across Michigan is title with an overpowering 72-53 road [email protected] district expenditures continue to cumulative dollars in deficit. deficits for the last 5 [years] governed by 1994’s Proposal A. win over the Farmington Hills Harrison increase an average of 4% ever Another assumption made If current economic conditions projected,” said Deborah Piesz, According to Piesz, that’s part of Hawks, who were previously undefeated persist, Birmingham Public Assistant Superintendent for the problem. fiscal year, excess expenditures by BPS data is that student from the district with quintuple enrollment and per pupil funding in the conference. Schools will face a 13 million Business Services at Birmingham “[Our] revenue stream is Now, as the only undefeated team in the Public Schools. “We then have to capped as one 1.5% annually by 2013. This data also assumes dollar deficit by the 2012-13 OAA Blue Division, Coach Jose Andrades’ go ahead and balance the budget, since 1994, our expenses went up that the district’s foundation school year alone. Continued Pg. 3 Maples have earned a coveted privilege in This is according to a recently and balancing the budget means 3 to 4% [this year],” said Peisz. allowance will not change from now to that time. See Budget all sports: The ability to control their own destiny. If Seaholm wins the rest of their conference games, they will be OAA Blue Division champions. Fraudulent Student “That’s definitely the best part,” said Ben Lewis. “I mean, we can just keep winning, Teacher Contract and then we can win the conference (Blue Division).” This team showed me something that Reports Overstated makes me believe that they are for real: A Ratified Through ‘10 balanced attack. Richaud Pack was productive as usual, But district acknowledges scoring 27pts, along with making nine out of 10 free throws. Alex Park Craig is referring to both the economy Dan Meredith added an impressive 18, more frequent than usual Staff Writer as a whole and the situation within the creating a second threat throughout the district specifically. Recent projections [email protected] game, which kept Harrison off guard. Charlie Filips Bach, who had attended the Birmingham report it is always looked into.” have revealed that the district may Public School District throughout his life, Upon receiving a report there are But, the crucial performance of the game Co-Editor in Chief “Dear Members, your Master expect a budget deficit within the next came from Shaun Conway. was removed this year due to residency multiple courses of action Wilson takes. few years. [email protected] issues. Joey declined comment for this “We would remove a family if we Agreement has been ratified.” Conway, who has traditionally been a To the teachers, secretaries and “We managed to give the teachers solid role player, was a presence from start story. found out they were living outside of the what they deserved without bankrupting During the 2007-2008 academic school paraprofessionals of Birmingham, those to finish, dropping a double-double with 12 When such significant matters such as district and did not report it.” said Wilson. the board. So yeah, we’re pretty proud of year, the Detroit Free Press reported, on funding relies on the validity of a schools “If a family is proactive with us we will eight words represented the end of a points and 14 rebounds, as well as racking December 14th, 2008, that 15 students seven-month saga of uncertainty and what we’ve done,” Craig said. residency tabulation, it’s important to be proactive with them. It’s not as much However, not all teachers are as up five assists. were dismissed from the Birmingham get the number right. If students provide of investigating, but helping them stay in alarm. “Shaun played a really good game,” said Public School District for fraudulently On January 13, 2009, the tentative enthusiastic about the changes to come. false documentation, then the number the district.” “I chose not to ratify the contract,” senior Jeremy Altman. “He also had a enrolling. When questioned on the of enrolled students is not accurate, If it’s impossible to help the student agreement reached by Birmingham sweet dunk.” specificities of the reported number, BPS Public Schools and Birmingham said Jane LaBond, a Seaholm teacher.