East Village Magazine October 2020 Special Edition

Flint Community Schools Board Election Candidates and their views

Photograph By

Education Beat I Flint Board of Education election: Twelve candidates for three six-year positions By Harold C. Ford Vol. LVIII No. 11 Special Ed. 2020 “When parents are looking at • Meeting the requirements of a

Founder Gary P. Custer where to send their kids (to school), three-year (2018-19 to 2020-21) partner-

Consulting Editor Jan Worth-Nelson there’s an awful lot of faith involved in the ship plan imposed by the State of Consulting Editor Ted Nelson sense that, you may not have any money, to improve test scores by 10 percent, reduce but you’re investing your kid in a school suspensions by 10 percent, and increase Managing Editor Tom Travis district. It’s the job of the school district, student attendance to 90 percent; Copy Editor Danielle Ward the challenge of the school district, to be • The erosion of staff — 78 educa- Reporters Harold C. Ford Madeleine Graham worthy of that faith.” tors departed FCS in 2019 taking with Patsy Isenberg – Paul Jordan, member Flint them 1,014 years of experience in Flint Zach Neithercut Board of Education, 2005-2009 schools — and subsequent staffing of Coner Segren classrooms with paraprofessionals and Columnists Jan Worth-Nelson The election of 2020, up and guest teachers still seeking certification; Teddy Robertson down the ballot, according to many • Adopting a strategy to rid the dis- Paul Rozycki Photographer Edwin D. Custer political pundits, is one of the most trict of at least 22 buildings already closed critical in a generation. That includes, and 16 vacant properties—including the Distribution Staff of course, the battles for control of the Northwestern campus that still houses the Director: Edwin D. Custer. Staff: Sue Bailey, Kim executive and legislative branches of district’s central kitchen; Bargy, Jacob Blumner, Connor Coyne & Ruby Coyne, Casey Custer, Caroline Fechik, Christine & the Federal Government that garner • A recent history of instability in Patrick Figgins, Marabeth Foreman, Charlie & Linda most of the headlines. But it also the central office highlighted by the & Patrick & Terrance & Christan & Jillianne Goldsberry, Ingrid Halling & Bob Thomas, Patsy includes contests at the state and local appointment of seven superintendents in Isenberg, Robert Jewell, Carol Larzelere Kellermann, levels of government. 15 years. Stephen Kellermann, Jo Larzelere, Mary LeRoy, In Flint, voters will fill three seats James & Lillian & Livia Londrigan, Alan & Julie Lynch, Ron & Mary Meeker, Robert & Nancy on the Flint Community Schools (FCS) Recent FCS success stories Meszko, Ted Nelson, Dave & Becky Pettengill, Dick Board of Education for six-year terms, include: Ramsdell, Julian Rodriquez, Paul Rozycki, Mike 2021-26. Arguably, Flint’s public • The assembling of an adminis- Spleet, Kim & Ronan & Jude Streby, Holly West, and Karen Wilkinson. schools face an existential challenge trative team under the leadership of Board of Trustees unlike anything since the opening of “home-grown” Anita Steward, some- • FaLessia Booker • Edwin D. Custer Flint High School at S. Saginaw and one with deep roots in the Flint com- • Alec Gibbs • Jack D. Minore Third Street in September of 1875, 145 munity, possessing a leadership style • Paul Rozycki • Robert R. Thomas years ago. that offends virtually no one, and an • Jan Worth-Nelson, ex-officio FCS leaders face daunting chal- apparent workaholic that seems to 720 E. Second St. Flint, Mich. 48503 lenges that include: have answers for any questions asked (810) 233-7459 • Safely providing instruction to its of her; Website: student population during a deadly pan- • Introduction of a thoughtful, eastvillagemagazine.org flexible plan, crafted with substantial E-mail: demic while navigating mixed signals [email protected] from Michigan’s state government; input from the medical community, for Layout by Ted Nelson. Printing by Riegle Press Inc., • Continuing loss of student popu- the reopening of Flint school buildings 1282 N. Gale Rd., Davison, Mich. 48423. East Village Magazine is a program of the Village lation — now reported at just more than for face-to-face/brick-and-mortar Information Center Inc., a nonprofit corpo ration. We 3,000, possibly making Flint the 8th largest instruction; welcome material from readers, but all submissions become the property of the publication and if published school system in Genesee County — and • Substantial voter approval of a 4.0 will be edited to conform to the editorial style and poli- resultant loss of state aid; millage proposal in March 2020 that should cies of the publication. All inquiries about the publica- tion should be mailed to East Village Magazine, • An ongoing precarious financial help to retire the district’s overall debt and Village Information Cen ter, 720 E. Second St., Flint, state largely caused by loss of student reduce the annual budget deficit; Mich. 48503. Distribution is the first Thursday of each month. Display advertising rates are $34 a column-inch population and legacy debt from a 2014 • Two judicial decisions that are plus any other costs. Unclassified ads are $2.50 a print- ed line or part of a printed line. Rates subject to change loan totaling nearly $20 million; (Continued on Page 3 without notice. The deadline for advertising is 10 days before each pub li cation date. Cover: FCS Administration, Building © 2020 East Village Magazine

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Election despite diminishing resources and increas- calls were made; and in a few instances ing demands of the global economy.” social network sites and mutual acquain- (Continued from Page 3.) • Preparation “to speak up and tances were utilized. likely to provide additional funds for serve as an advocate for public educa- At press time, eight candidates had Flint’s special needs students; tion in your community.” responded to requests from EVM for • The adoption and implementation • A willingness “to uphold state information: Abdul-Matin; Booker; of a forward-looking balanced calendar; laws … put learning first, and give pri- Doan; Houston; MacIntyre; Ellis- • The settlement of two lawsuits ority to what’s best for children.” McNeal; Mitchell; and Moore. brought by the American Civil Liberties The MASB reminds us that Four candidates had not provided Union that will impact discipline and Michigan’s 4,000 locally elected school information: Forte; Hawk; Murphy; and funding for special education; board members “annually oversees Wesley. • A plan for infrastructure expenditures of $14.58 billion, sets poli- upgrades at all FCS school buildings cies affecting the futures of 1.48 million Paucity of information: including heating and air-conditioning; students, and makes decisions that • Provision of a safe water supply impact cultural and economic life in Other than names, addresses, and for staff and students; more than 600 communities.” contact information, virtually nothing is • Settlement of new contracts with publicly available to voters about the all three employee bargaining units — Departures candidates for the Flint board. The United Teachers of Flint, Local 517 of the League of Women Voters (LWV) no SEIU (paraprofessionals), and Congress The terms of three incumbent longer publishes its Voter Guide that of Flint School Administrators. board members come to an end on Dec. was distributed with the area’s largest 31, 2020. None of them opted for daily newspaper. Board candidate qualifications reelection. Rather, information about candi- Casey Lester, board president dates is available at LWV’s Vote411 The qualifications to run for a (with nearly two years on the board), Voter Guide website. At press time, local education board in Michigan seem Betty Ramsdell, secretary (11 years), information was available at the web- simple and straightforward. A candi- and Blake Strozier, trustee (10 years), site for only one of the twelve candi- date must be 18 years of age; a U.S. cit- take with them more than two decades dates: Mario D. Booker. The same izen; a Michigan resident for at least 30 of Flint board experience. message appeared for all other 11 can- days; a resident of the school district 30 didates: “Candidate has not yet days prior to the election; and a regis- Candidates responded.” tered voter in the school district where s/he is a candidate. Candidates for the FCS Board of EVM questions for candidates Further, a $100 filing fee payable education include: Timothy Abdul- to local clerks is required. Property own- Matin; Mario DeSean Booker; Michael In addition to a request for a brief ership is not a requirement for candidacy. D. Doan; Joyce Ellis-McNeal; Antonio biography and photo, candidates were Some felonies disqualify a candidate. Forte II; Ariana Hawk; Jaron Houston; asked three questions by EVM. Beyond the official qualifications Laura Gillespie MacIntyre; Billie D. for local boards, the Michigan Mitchell; Anita Moore; Roemon M. 1. Flint’s student count is barely Association of School Boards recom- Murphy; Leondrew Wesley. more than 3,000 at the start of this, the mends the following unofficial, yet At first glance, the dozen can- 2020-21 school year. About 15,000 important, requirements: didates collectively offer up little school-age children live in Flint but • A willingness “to take the time name recognition in terms of elective more of them attend other private and to study current education issues…” experience. Thus, East Village charter schools and other public schools • A willingness “to pursue the Magazine (EVM) has attempted to through the Schools of Choice pro- skills, the knowledge, and the training gather information and photos of all gram. What should be done to stabilize necessary to become a fully engaged the candidates to provide to Flint vot- the student population of Flint and effective board member.” ers prior to the Nov. 3 election. Community Schools? • The ability “to work as a gover- Over a two-week period, EVM made nance team member, putting personal multiple attempts to contact all of the candi- 2. This is the final year of a three- agendas aside and working cooperative- dates utilizing contact information provided year improvement plan with the state of ly for the best interest of students in to the Genesee County Clerk’s office which Michigan. According to that plan, Flint your school district.” administers local elections. Letters were Community Schools needs to meet three • A readiness “to champion an effec- sent to the candidates’ street addresses; goals or face possible serious conse- tive public school system to serve our youth messages were sent via email; phone quences. Those three goals are: 1) Increase (Continued on Page 10 3 Candidates for the FCS Board of Education

to forge a better future for all children. One of the primary concerns is that students 1. Enrollment retention is the pri- in the FCS continue to score well below mary objective. We need to retain the state level assessments. A comprehensive students we have, and increase enroll- effort with collaborative support is needed ment through strategic planning. to equip students with strategies to succeed Strategic points include community in MSTEP and MME testing. involvement, rebranding Flint Community Schools, devoting resources 3. The prospective financial out- to scout and capture students, and look for FCS is bleak. Upon review of the launching a parent ambassador program. approved budget, there is a $48 million Mario D. Booker I believe incorporating these into a solid decrease from FY ‘19 to FY ‘20, and strategic plan and enlisting community once supported services and expenditures I am a product of Flint and partners to help rebranding will change are deducted, the overall deficit is $2.1 Beecher education, but Flint is my home. the narrative and perspective. million. This creates a financially unsta- I am a minister, father, husband, activist, ble operating environment. To balance I.T. Ph.D. candidate, and State Learning 2. It is deeply concerning that the the budget, the board will have to consid- Facilitator. I desire to bring my educa- 36-month outcome goals are near, and the er diversified revenue streams as well as tion, passion, and experience to the board fear is that those goals may not be obtained. additional cuts.

as sports, extracurricular activities and so. I think state testing is a joke and class choices. Parents want a challenge should be gone. However if they do mentally for there children and better have the obtain qualified teachers how opportunities for their children and can that increase? Reducing suspen- Flint is not offering those things. sions will have to come with a disci- plinary revamp, because right now 2. What a challenge. As I stated child get suspended for breathing too from the first question, Flint is so lim- hard. ited on what they can offer to these children I don't know how at this point 3. I am not familiar with the Michael Doan Jr. to increase the headcount. Parents financial woes of the district except 1. I think the curriculum is bet- who have the ability to send their chil- that they are in shambles. I just think ter at the private schools and non urban dren somewhere else for better educa- it needs a total revamp and a priority schools. They have more to offer as far tion and opportunities are going to do check.

retention and increase in student enrollment. attendance. Improving test scores would mean that teachers will be held accountable 1. We have to bring more programs to for the material covered. Reducing suspen- our schools, as well as create change within sions by 10% would also mean that there the district that would promote retention of has to be more restorative justice within the students. Parents would like to a safe envi- school building to help make things right ronment for their children are safe and that and have alternative disciplines. they are obtaining a quality education. We have to also think of new, innovative ideas 3. There have been many talks that will bring more opportunities to stu- about closing schools and freeing up dol- Jaron Houston dents. We must bring back community and lars from the district. The plan has to the sense of pride that was once a staple in have a clear message that on a union I am a father of five teenage children. this city. front, can be worked towards. We must I have been married for 15 years. I have find stability in the leaders that are worked in education for almost 20 years. I 2. Attendance can be increase by appointed to positions. Hold them love working with students and being an staying in communication with parents and accountable for working together in the active part of their learning. In order to be students. Also, if there are any barriers the best interest of the district and more ded- successful, we need people on our board family might be facing, resources can be icated to the holistic approach to educa- that are willing to make changes to promote provided to them in order to help to increase tion. (Continued on Page 5.) 4 Candidates for the FCS Board of Education

water. Second, encourage home owner- Justice Program in the schools. Essentially, ship as opposed to predatory home rentals stop policing our students and treating them and leasing; and third, work to ensure that like criminals. No student deserves to be school districts remain public and local and suspended for the vague or unsubstantiated change the ways that charter schools are charge of “insubordination” or wearing a able to unfairly compete with public edu- hooded sweatshirt during the winter when cation. For the City of Flint in particular, the heating system is malfunctioning and the we must acknowledge that the water crisis temperature of the classroom is consistently has not been fixed and is ongoing, and as a below 60 degrees. result, all students should be declared “spe- Laura MacIntyre cial education” and given IEPs 3. The revenue sharing for cities (Individualized Education Programs) and and the ways in which the public schools Laura MacIntyre is an educator, the resources that go along with IEPs. are funded in the state of Michigan is crim- mom of 3, public sociologist, local inal and needs to be recalculated. Until this activist, and Flint native who attended 2. The three-year improvement plan is addressed, there is little hope for public Flint public schools and was raised by 2 with the state of Michigan is disingenuous schools to meet the artificially constructed Flint public school teachers. She has over and designed to create failure for the public measures of "financial success" imposed on 30 years experience as in education and is school system in Flint. Increased attendance them. It is no coincidence that one of the a proud member of the American can only be accomplished with wider sys- components of any of the iterations of the Federation of Teachers. temic changes, some of which are addressed financial emergency manager laws in the in the answer to the first question. Improved state of Michigan include the takeover of 1. The same thing that should be test scores are a red herring. We need to both municipalities and public SCHOOL done to stabilize the overall population of demand that standardized testing is eliminat- DISTRICTS. This is a clear violation of our the Flint community - or any community - ed. As for reducing suspensions by 10%, democratic process and a brazen attempt to in general: First, support a water afford- simple: Stop suspending students! Eliminate undermine, destabilize, and privatize our ability plan to ensure that all households all forms of the School-To-Prison-Pipeline community resources, including the public have safe, clean and AFFORDABLE and institute a comprehensive Restorative school systems.

coupled with my community activism model that gives them an incentive to be and life experience of being affected by present in school. We must collaborate with the school to prison pipeline, I believe community organizations to tend to the that I am one of the voices needed on the needs of students that have a problem with Flint Community School board. absenteeism. I think that we should elimi- nate or put less emphasis on testing. Finally, 1. To stabilize the student popula- we must eradicate policies that dispropor- tion of Flint community schools, we first tionately impact students of color. Initiating must leverage funding to improve the best practice restorative justice practices and infrastructure so that students are in a safe implementing trauma informed program- and secure environment. The esthetics of ming will curb the high rate of suspensions. Timothy Abdul-Matin facilities influences student morale. My name is Timothy Abdul- Secondly, we must expand our education- 3. Our district has struggled with Matin, I am a 37-year-old lifetime Flint al curriculum by implementing a more funding for years. We must pressure the resident, devout husband, father, com- inclusive curriculum that promotes rele- State to increase the per student funding munity activist, mentor, and member of vant, culturally influenced education that model. We need more funding for our stu- the UAW local 659. As I prepare to can give us a competitive edge over other dents in the Flint school district, specifical- make my run for a member of the Flint school districts. Thirdly, a rebranding of ly those in need of special education. Also, School Board, I want you to know that I Flint community schools. we must find other ways to create revenue am dedicated to systemic change and for our schools. Lastly, we can not contin- have a passion for imparting life skills 2. To increase attendance, we must ue to incur debt from past mistakes. into children. This passion for children target students and parents by adopting a (Continued on Page 6.) 5 Candidates for the FCS Board of Education

way we educate our children and our Improving test scores and reduce economy. Stabilizing student popula- suspension are attainable goals, tion cannot be done with out first which I have worked in schools and determine how much money will FCS see that this can be done. However, need to maintain stability in staffing state, and federal funds are much and services. An estimation of needed. increased costs and revenue losses due to COVID-19 is urgent to deter- 3. According to Executive mine how stabilization can begin. Director of finance Carrie Sekelsky, Our most vulnerable student schools Monday, June 15. She said she was Joyce Ellis-McNeal will need to provide added support, presenting the “worst case scenario” • Education: MPA, BS-Business including some form of extended budget so the board can see “how hor- Administration/Organization Management, learning time. rible it could be.” Beginning Fund Associate-Computer Technology, PhD- Balance: $10,740,354; Revenues: Biblical Theology/Christian Leadership. 2. For FCS to weather these $60, 294,897, Expenditures: • FCS Learning Support Specialist goals under the current budget fore- $(73,151,762); Ending Balance (Contract), Guess Teacher (Contract), cast, our district will need assis- ($2,116,511). I would like to look Literacy Specialist, and grass root leader tance from the federal government more into expenditures and once and activist. as it relates to increase attendance again, due to Pandemic and Flint • Public Health Navigator to 90%. Due to Flint Water Water Crisis more federal assistant is Coordinator (Michigan United) Disaster and Pandemic, we must needed, as well as the recent past • EJAM Fellowship Leadership. remodel our school infrastructures Mileage. and create a new way of teaching 1. COVID-19 has affected the our children to be self-sufficient.

for children and families also adds to her continue to remove their children from resume’ which displays a youth-focused an underfunded district. It is an unfair and driven public servant. expectation on the district and the state should be making adjustments to save 1. I believe what should be one of their districts, instead of placing done to stabilize the student popula- expectations on a district that has been tion for Flint Community Schools is setup to fail. to first obtain FCS’s proper funding that is being held by outer city pro- 3 Since Proposal A was imple- grams. With proper funding, stu- mented, Flint Schools have been Billie Mitchell dents can receive the programming exempt from receiving monies from that Flint School’s once offered; property taxes to foot the bill for oper- Billie Mitchell- a Mother; FCS improve school facilities; supply ational expenses. It has increased the graduate; Founder & Mentor of a youth school books to use for homework debt of Flint Schools who are current- organization, remembers what it was and offer student/family resources ly repaying a bond that helped with like when FCS were flourishing and that create for an exceptional school the district's deficit. If we could elim- wishes to be a part of FCS’s comeback. experience. inate laws and rules that steal from She believes her background in Public funding sources that help public Health sets her apart from the other can- 2. Flint Community Schools will schools operate, we could witness a didates because she understands factors not be able to meet the goals of the change in Flint's district, specifically that affect school environments in partic- final three-year improvement plan in maintaining the school buildings ular that disrupt a child's learning. without its resources that allow for themselves. Billie’s lengthy experience of advocating them to retain students. Parents will (Continued on Page 7.) 6 Candidates for the FCS Board of Education

essential to seeking solutions based on solutions to the needs, challenges and sustainable success, first within oneself barriers encountered daily. that extends to the community collective. • Curriculum: where’s the inter- Equally passionate about the many levels ests of the industries and stakeholders? of learning and awareness that “Nothing • Alternative yet efficient methods Without Joy” continues to ever evolve of experimental experiences the efficient efforts exerted everyday. • School as a program for the busi- ness world at large. 1. Stabilize the foundation of the • Revolutionizing outdated sys- school’s system. An increase in the stu- tems Anita M. Moore dent body would be a direct display of • Continued Education/updating needs being met by the school’s services, for educators Anita Moore, born and raised in overall. North Carolina found her education Seeking stability and strength 3. I’m definitely interested in foundation early. It was always a natural within Home-school partnerships. more insight on this subject. Overall, niche for her. Got to babysitter and society’s shift is toward sustainable solu- friendly neighbor in the hood, followed 2. Those goals are obtainable with tions. her calling as a fresh high-school gradu- efficient time and efforts toward: Patrick Jackson, the late public ate making magic in Michigan pursuing • Restructuring the system and relations adviser and practitioner remind- her undergrad in Early Childhood some formats ed school officials that ‘the true cus- Education with studied interest in fine • Consideration of how students tomers of public schools are not the par- arts and Spanish. learn ents who send us their children or the Self-Study in metaphysics, yoga • Minimizing time; maximizing businesses that employ our graduates. and alternative natural living formed a efforts Rather, he would say, our key stakehold- way to merge education with the essence • Taking into account the physi- ers are the taxpayers who send us their of existing. The Lifelong Learning of cal foundations/buildings and environ- money to operate our schools and who oneself to better understand and relate to ment that learning takes place have the power to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ at the the world abroad. Mother of one and stu- • Adapt new approaches that ballot box. They are the owners of our dent of life, loves engaging in things that reflect real life experience. school systems. Efforts must be made to stimulates the mental, physical and spiri- • Make students want to show up communicate to and build relationships tual aspects of oneself. ready and willing with these owners, especially those who Travels across country and to • Stabilization assistance for the don't have school-age children?” Central America has widened views home lives of the attendees. Providing

The four candidates Antonio V. Forte, contact- This EVM special edition was creat- EVM staff were unable to get ed via two phone calls, one letter ed by the following team of four: information from were: sent to his street address, and an Tom Travis, managing editor; email. Harold C. Ford, education beat Leondrew Wesley, con- reporter; Ted Nelson, layout; and tacted via three phone messages, Ariana Hawk, contacted Jan Worth-Nelson, consulting editor. one letter to his street address, and via two phone calls — left a mes- an email. sage each time, reached out through social media through Roemon M. Murphy, con- mutual acquaintances, one letter tacted via three phone calls, one sent to her street address, and an letter to his street address, and an email. email.

7 Education Beat II Mixed signals from state government lead to multi-pronged plan for possible reopening of Flint schools By Harold C. Ford “If we have to go back to school next Emergency Powers of Governor Act week, we’ll be ready.” (EPGA) of 1945 and the Emergency —Anita Steward, superintendent, Flint Management Act (EMA) of 1976. The Community Schools, Oct. 13, 2020 former does not require permission from the legislature to extend a state of emer- Anita Steward, superintendent of gency, but the latter mandates that s/he Flint Community Schools (FCS), pre- do so after 28 days. Whitmer’s orders sented a multi-pronged plan for the pos- went beyond 28 days. sible reopening of schools on a face-to- The majority consisted of face/brick-and-mortar basis to the FCS Republican-nominated justices including Board of Education’s Governance Markman, Brian Zahra, , Subcommittee on Oct. 13, 2020. and Beth Clement. Chief Justice Bridget The FCS team that included • Lawrence Reynolds, MD, pedia- McCormack wrote the dissenting opin- Eileen Tomasi, school health coordi- trician, former president and CEO of Mott ion, joined by Justices Megan Cavanagh nator, devised the plan while receiv- Children’s Health Center, former member and Richard Bernstein. ing input from Flint area members of of Flint Water Advisory Task Force, med- In a subsequent 6-1 ruling, only the medical community including: ical adviser to Flint mayor Sheldon Neeley; Justice Richard Bernstein would have • Genesee County Health granted a stay requested by the Department officials Whitmer administration to allow more The announcement of the FCS time to prepare contingency plans. plan was in response to recent deci- sions by Michigan’s Supreme Court “Alternative sources of authority” that struck down Michigan Governor ’s executive orders Following the rulings by the intended to control the COVID-19 , Whitmer pandemic. Subsequent decisions by said her directives would remain in the executive and legislative branches place through “alternative sources of of Michigan’s state government have authority.” added additional uncertainties to the On Oct. 9, the Michigan • Gwendolyn Reyes, MD, pedi- political landscape for local units of Department of Health and Human atrician, Hurley Medical Center; government including school district Services (MDHHS) attempted to fill boards. some of the void left by the decisions of Michigan’s high court by issuing Setbacks for Whitmer’s executive statewide mandates that mirrored those orders previously levied by the Whitmer administration. On Oct. 2, the Michigan Supreme “Our goal is to maintain policies Court struck down Whitmer’s COVID- that have made a drastic difference in 19 executive orders in a 4-3 majority the fight against COVID-19,” said decision. Justice Stephen J. Markman Robert Gordon, MDHHS director, in a said the orders were an “unlawful dele- press release. “Masks (and) social dis- gation of legislative power to the execu- tancing reduce the spread of COVID- tive branch in violation of the Michigan 19. Public action is critical to saving • Bobby Mukkamala, MD, Constitution.” Michigander’s lives.” head and neck surgeon, chair-elect of The lawsuit challenging the orders On Oct. 14, Michigan’s Occupational the American Medical Association; was brought by members of the Safety and Health Administration

(Continued on Page 9.) 8 The next scheduled meeting of the FCS virtual/online instruction only. board, according to its website, is Oct. 21. Plan B would first return younger ... Schools students — those who Steward said are (Continued from Page 8.) High court decisions create uncer- in their “foundational years … our (MIOSHA) also issued new emergency tainty for local school districts most vulnerable population”— to face- rules that further replaced some of the regu- to-face/brick-and-mortar instruction. lations put forth in Whitmer’s executive Prior to the Michigan Supreme On Nov. 9, the following student popu- orders that were struck down by Michigan’s Court’s recent decisions, Michigan lations would return, perhaps on a high court. school districts found themselves in a hybrid approach: all students in self- Phase 4 status of the governor’s MI contained classrooms who need extra High court decisions caused cancel- Safe Schools: Michigan’s 2020-21 services; ECDD (Early Childhood lations of virtual public meetings Return to School Roadmap. The plan Development Delay) students; pre- had six “phases” from 1, the worst pan- kindergarten; kindergarten; 1st graders; The uncertainties resulting from demic status, to 6, the best. Phase 4 and 2nd graders. The return of all other recent decisions, or nondecisions, allowed for either face-to-face/brick- students is “to be determined” under made by all three branches of and-mortar or virtual/online instruction, Plan B. Virtual/online instruction Michigan’s state government created or a hybrid of the two. would still be available to those who confusion for local units of govern- “Does that mean that the choose it. ment, including school boards. The Roadmap doesn’t exist anymore, that Plans C-1 and C-2 (a slightly Oct. 2 and Oct. 12 high court decisions we automatically go back to school?” amended version of C-1) are based on led to the postponement or cancellation asked Steward. “We’re trying to fig- the premise that students return to of numerous public meetings around ure that out.” face-to-face/brick-and-mortar instruc- the state that were to have been con- “We’re leaning heavily on the med- tion. FCS would return student popu- ducted virtually. ical community for their recommenda- lations on the following dates: stu- Attorneys for several local gov- tions,” said Steward. The medical commu- dents in self-contained classrooms, ernmental bodies advised that, in light nity is “now recommending for the students ECDD students, pre-kindergartners, of the Michigan Supreme Court’s Oct. 2 to go back to school … it’s OK for our kids and kindergartners on Nov. 9; 1st and and Oct. 12 decisions, virtual meetings to return face-to-face,” she said. 2nd graders on Nov. 30; 3rd, 4th, and might violate the state’s Open Meetings “I just think there’s a lot of uncer- 5th graders on Dec. 7; 6th, 7th, and Act. City council meetings in Flint and tainty in this whole conversation,” said 8th graders on Jan. 4, 2021; 9th, 10th, Lansing, and other public meetings, Danielle Green, board treasurer. “It’s a lot 11th, and 12th graders on Jan. 19, were cancelled. of assumptions here that can cause some 2021. Virtual/online learning would “Combined with today’s ruling people their lives … it’s going to be a ‘no’ still be available to those who choose and absent clarity from the Michigan (vote) again” about returning to school.” it. Legislature, it is not clear we could sat- “We may not have a choice,” said Plan D: All students would isfy the requirements of the Michigan Steward. “Our schools seem to be return to school on Nov. 9 for face-to- Open Meetings Act virtually,” said doing a much better job. They receive it face/brick-and-mortar instruction. Peter Spadafore, Lansing council presi- (the virus) from somewhere else.” dent, in a statement. “As long as I have a choice, then Surveys and staffing assignments Cancellations also included a full the vote is going to be ‘no’ again,” meeting of Flint’s school board on Oct. responded Green. FCS Assistant Superintendent 14 at which it would have tackled the Kevelin Jones said that the district’s Steward administration’s four-pronged Flint’s return to school plan administrators and Wellness Teams plan for a possible reopening of were attempting to contact all FCS schools that had been presented to the Steward, her cabinet, and building families to determine their instruction- board’s Governance Subcommittee the administrators cobbled together a four- al preference. He reported to the FCS night before on Oct. 13. pronged return to school plan that would board on Oct. 13 that, based on about On Oct. 16, Whitmer signed into prepare the district for several scenarios. She 180 responses, families were fairly law a bill speedily passed by the presented them as Plans A, B, C, and D. evenly divided about a return to Michigan Legislature that allows munic- Plan A would have the district con- school buildings: about 55 percent of ipal governments, school boards, and tinue in a Phase 4 status based on the respondents favored face-to- other bodies to continue meeting virtual- governor’s Roadmap. It allows districts face/brick-and-mortar; about 43 per- ly through the end of 2020. to choose face-to-face/brick-and-mortar cent favored virtual/online. At press time, FCS had not or virtual/online instruction, or a hybrid “There are some families that have announced any intentions to reschedule of the two. FCS chose to start the 2020- determined that they want to be online, the cancelled Oct. 14 meeting of the board. 21 school year on Aug. 4 with and then there are some families that

(Continued on Page 10.) 9 ... Schools County Health Department (GCHD). ... Election It lays out what you have to do in each (Continued from Page 9.) (Continued from Page 3.) and every scenario.” have determined, ‘Hey, I need my child If two students tested positive attendance to 90%; 2) Improve test scores back in school,’” said Jones. for COVID-19 in a classroom, said by 10%; 3) Reduce suspensions by FCS officials hoped to complete the Steward, that classroom would be shut 10%. Please comment. survey process by Oct. 16. Then staffing down and subjected to deep cleaning decisions, based on the survey data, would and sanitizing. The GCHD would be 3. One of the most important be led by Cassandra Washington, execu- notified within 24 hours of any posi- responsibilities of a school board mem- tive director for human resources. tive COVID-19 test and contact trac- ber is to ensure the financial stability of ing would begin immediately. A neg- the school district. Please comment PPE ative test would be required for about the state of affairs with regard to reentry. the finances of Flint Community Steward emphasized to board Steward informed the board that Schools. members that any return to the school positive tests of employees at Potter Candidates’ responses are just as buildings would be based on adequate Elementary and the Administration they were provided to EVM, unedited. provision of PPE (personal protective Building had already forced temporary Three of the people represented equipment) and implementation of other closure of those buildings for deep in this special edition of EVM will be safety measures. Steward and Jones said cleaning and sanitizing. elected to six-year terms on the FCS they will visit all 11 FCS buildings “to Steward advised the board that Board of Education. During that assure that all of the PPE is in place like it health metrics will determine the opening time, they will make decisions about should be.” or closure of school buildings. “It may critical issues that will affect the lives “You have to inspect what you be that we really need to shut this down of thousands of youngsters. expect,” said Steward and go back to full remote,” she said. Steward and her team hope to “It’s never, ever, ever easy,” said EVM staff writer Harold C. Ford can be have all PPE and safety procedures in Steward, perhaps speaking for an entire reached at [email protected]. place by Nov. 2 including: enhanced community, plans for cleaning and sanitizing; plexi- glass shields installed on the desks of EVM staff writer Harold C. Ford can be younger students and in offices; rules reached at [email protected]. for spacing; directional arrows in the hallways for foot traffic; signage inside the buildings and at entrances; hand san- itizer at most doorways; assigned seat- ing plans for common areas such as the gymnasiums, cafeterias, and auditori- ums; and a plentiful supply of masks and hand-held thermometers. Trustee Carol McIntosh advocat- ed daily temperature checks as is done on the job that she just returned to. “They (members of the medical community) are not recommending daily temperature checks, said Steward, “as temperature checks can be elevated by warm clothing or a hot car.” “I would definitely like to see that take place,” responded McIntosh.

“Worst case scenarios”

“The district will continue to Support community journalism! plan for worst case scenarios,” said Donations to East Village Magazine Steward. “We have a toolkit we have are tax deductible. For easy giving, to follow put out by the Genesee go to: eastvillagemagazine.org

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LVIII: 11 (691 issues, 7,132 pages) 12