October, 2009

October 30, 2009

Today the Governor finished the budget process. And, here’s what is now certain. The Promise scholarship that principals supported so strongly is gone. Period. As a principal and parent you know how important this was, to so many. I hate to see it go.

Quick fixes to soften the cuts in school funding for 09-10? Not going to happen. The pain of the Michigan downsize has arrived for us all in the education community. We are left with doing nothing but cut, or, do what we do much more cost effective.

In the last nine years, Michigan has gone from one of the most prosperous states in the USA, to one of the poorest. Period.

Several offices within the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) have received questions about recording student and school information for students that are participating in the seat time waiver program. Since school districts have a November 4, 2009 deadline for submitting student counts, this memo is sent with urgency for your attention.

The seat time waiver has been granted under the authority of state statute. That statute specifies that the waiver may be granted to an approved alternative education program. The seat time waiver program is an alternative education program.

Gongwer News, October 29, 2009

Legislators in the House who support the restoration of funding for 20j school districts have opted to use a supplemental, and not a veto override, as legislation was introduced Thursday.

Rep. Marc Corriveau, whose hometown school district of Northville was cut $2.2 million when the governor vetoed 20j funding, is sponsoring HB 5565.

The measure has 40 co-sponsors, including about a dozen legislators who don't represent 20j districts, which are named after a section of the School Aid Act.

Sign parked on street in front of Capitol - 10/29

MirsNews, October 29, 2009

This afternoon, Donald WOTRUBA, director of government relations for the Michigan Association of School Boards, told lawmakers his group likes the public healthcare plan introduced by House Speaker Andy DILLON (D-Redford Twp.)

"We wholeheartedly support these reforms," Wotruba said in testimony before the Public Employee Health Care Reform committee, the special House panel formed specifically to explore the proposed reforms. "If it's quality coverage and cost effective; frankly, we don't care who operates it at that point."

By Greg Bishop
MASSP Intervention Specialist

In working with schools over the past year, I have come across many great principals working so hard for their students.  As I was reading Principal Leadership this month I came across a great article on ethical leadership and it made me reflect on how to make better decisions as a leader.  The article outlined 12 different questions to ask in making a decision or taking an action.  I have categorized them in five different themes I refer to as the POINT method for making difficult decisions:

This editorial very succintly advocates for MASSP's position on the Principal's Bill of Rights.  It's a good read!  Diane

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baltimoresun.com

Power to the Principal

This editorial very succintly advocates for MASSP's position on the Principal's Bill of Rights.  It's a good read!  Diane

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baltimoresun.com

Power to the Principal

October 27, 2009
TO: Local and Intermediate School District Superintendents and Public School Academy Directors
FROM: Mike Flanagan Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: Mandatory Expulsion Laws

While the reluctance to expel a student for at least 180 days for a mandatory expulsion offense might be understandable, it violates the letter and spirit of the law that would allow a student to simply dropout or disenroll. A district must follow the procedures established in law, giving that student an alternative opportunity to continue his/her education.

We would like to explore a partnership with our local baptist school. Maybe having their students take more than just band from us. I know some schools have hired teachers through the public school and have them teach kids at the parochial in certain classes. I am told these are countable hours. I'd appreciate any thoughts, ideas or comment.

Thanks

The state's top educator has advised some of his colleagues to stop demanding more money from the state because reforms and reductions are also needed as part of the new 3 R's for schools.

State Superintendent Mike FLANAGAN is hopeful that some way will be found to reduce the projected $292 cut per pupil announced last week by the governor but he tells MIRS, "It's not just revenue -- the school folks that say just get us more revenue, I can't buy that. It's money with some reforms and with some smart thinking about reductions and expenditures all together."

Flanagan says he favors a sales tax on services to raise that new money but he says local school districts need to do more consolidation. "We don't need 34 transportation systems in Wayne County," he suggests.

The supposed quick fixes for school funding is the expansion of times for liquor sales, and add to tobacco taxes. Hey, I’m all for more money for schools. But, do we always have to do it by selling more products that if used by our students they'd get suspended? And, I wish schools had never gotten the lotto money! That money is used against us more than it helps.

Let corrections use the lotto and sin tax money. I’d look forward to a drive passing a billboard saying – Your MI lotto money at work helping support MI's convicts.

Hey, give schools the general fund monies they used to get. We’d probably not be cutting school funding so much. And I wouldn’t feel I’m cutting more staff every time I tell a student not to smoke.

We are considering modifying our present retention policy which mandates retaining a middle school student who has failed 3 academic classes. What alternatives/interventions have proved successful for your middle level learners?

Here are some sample notes about school closings, fundraising, children's apparel, and other school related material that a principal deals with on a daily basis. These give a great insight into what a principals life is like.

With all the turmoil involving the collapse of the financial foundations of the Michigan public school system I asked our members, “Advise us, what do you want us to do?” Over three hundred members wrote back. Eight of ten responses contained the phrase, “thanks for asking.” You’re welcome. But, thank you for taking the time to write to let me know what you’re thinking. Your comments were insightful, thoughtful, and very helpful. They will be shared with the Board of Directors.

Monica Lee’s, from Waterford, comment spoke for many: “I think we need to remember this is really about whether or not we are going to fundamentally change how we structure and fund government in Michigan. If we don’t ride it out now it will be back in our faces again soon.”

This is a letter from the Superintendent of Public Instruction about the Michigan Department of Education Dropout Challenge.

A few months ago, I asked every public elementary, middle and high school to identify 10-15 students who are nearing or in a transition year with multiple dropout risk factors and provide research-based supports and interventions. It is a simple concept that can have a huge impact. Schools and districts wishing to take this challenge were asked to register online for the challenge at the Michigan Department of Education Dropout Challenge web page at www.michigan.gov/dropoutchallenge.

The response has been overwhelming. As of October 15, 2009, over 500 schools and districts have joined this challenge.

By Peter Silveri
Labor Relations Consultant
Michigan Association of School Boards

October 23, 2009

Does anyone have an effective, working system to organize grade-level meetings at the M.S. or H.S. level, wherein teachers teach more than one grade level? If so can you describe it, or can I call you?

October 22, 2009 - Gongwer News

CUT TRIGGERS CALL FOR FUNDING REFORM

The need for executive proration cuts to the school aid budget so quickly after the budget was signed is further indication that the system for funding schools is broken, a number of school groups said after Governor Jennifer Granholm announced cuts of another $127 a student.

But not all groups joined the chorus for more revenue and Sen. Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said plans have already been provided to cover most of the shortfall.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) argued the governor's cuts bordered on unlawful because they were based solely on Treasurer Robert Kleine's revenue projections.

October 22, 2009 - Gongwer News

GRANHOLM ISSUES $127 PER PUPIL K-12 CUT

Michigan schools will face the hammer of another $127 cut per student as part of a proration ordered by the administration of Governor Jennifer Granholm, who said the action was dictated by shrinking revenues and denied the move was an attempt to force legislators to enact revenue increases.

But in a press conference, Ms. Granholm said she took the proration action, along with her earlier veto of some school funding, to "defend public education from a serious threat" caused because the Legislature has not passed revenue increases. And she called on parents and teachers across the state to contact lawmakers and urge them to push for more revenues to help close the gap.

I am wondering if you have this policy/practice or a policy/practice that students must attend High School for 4 full years?

I am wondering if you have this policy/practice or a policy/practice that students must attend High School for 4 full years?

I know this may be the last year of the 9th grade Social Studies MEAP. Explore for all should take care of that. When are we going to stop assessing students on a one day/one test model?

We have the following Spanish Books for sale. Level 2 & 3 are in close-to-new condition (also have some teacher resources to accompany):

69 copies of Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Accion Level 1 Spanish Books
ISBN 0-02-640033-2 (Galloway Joba Labarca) (Copyright 1998)

40 copies of Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Accion Level 2 Spanish Books
ISBN 0-02-640656-X (Galloway Joba Labarca)(Copyright 1998)

29 copies of Glenco/McGraw-Hill Accion Level 3 Spanish Books
ISBN 0-02-640712-4 (Galloway Labarca) (copyright 1998)

If you need further information, let me know. All offers considered. Likely to take first offer.

Patrick Dillon
Co-principal
Napoleon HS
hsdillop@mail.ncs.k12.mi.us
517-536-8667 ext. 260