Tag: schools (page 2)

Last week we discussed this particular issue.

No district or constituency is immune to the effect of pay-for-play politics.

All of the study of what happened, the consequence, and the long term effect politically, has to date been pretty much reserved to the national contests. Punditry since November 6th has dissected, analyzed, and made best guesses as to why certain election had any particular results.  Something generally not discussed however, has been local initiatives and issues.  At least not the part where there is a conflict in government's management of our resources.

One of those issues in Northern Michigan was a bond request made by the board of Traverse City Area Public Schools. (TCAPS)

Underneath the perceived troubles in funding public education is an emerging reality.  Because of the nature of taxpayer funding, and the struggle for local school districts to grab their 'fair share' of Michigan's education budget pie, expenses that were once built into operating budgets are now separated from them, and allowed to be levied through millage requests.  These building fund requests allow for purchase of new infrastructure, equipment, and maintenance.

As many of you may know, the Traverse City Area Public Schools have a board lacking any critical dissent.  There is no representative of the taxpayer present in each of its monthly, or special meetings.  Thus it should come as no surprise that a $26,000,000.00 Performing Arts Center (auditorium)is considered an essential educational tool.

We're fighting a millage request that has an add on $26 million for a new performing arts center that will dwarf Interlochen. (you know .. the professionals) We're going all out up here to fight the latest pickpocketing by an irresponsible board, which has neglected its properties, in favor of building new. Literally.  In fact this statement:

"Without the bond, TCAPS general fund will have to pay more than 3 million dollars per year to keep up with such demands. TCAPS operates a "general fund" that pays for the day-to-day operations of our school system, including student programming and employee salaries. A "capital" or "bond" fund supports the upkeep and improvement of infrastructure and cannot be used for day-to-day operations."

Essentially, they are saying "we don't know how to keep our stuff nice, and since you will pony up anyway .." A perfect example of our throwaway society I suppose.

If you don't like this ..

Then you trash it, and build this ..

Fixing, remodeling, repair..  Out of the question.  Just replace.

There might be a little bit of a fight for the taxpayers in TC.

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) has decided that recessionary times don't mean anything when the absolute NEED for a gold plated auditorium project is so obvious. A $26,000,000.00 request from the taxpayers of course might not have stood on its own as a luxury, but using it as frosting to top an ongoing building millage.  "Spoon full of sugar" indeed.

I blogged about it recently:

" According to TCAPS, the millage rate necessary to repay these bonds will remain below 4 mills.  Given the current rate of 3.1 mills, where did the other 29% increase come from?  The purpose of these requests must be physical asset based only, and this level of increase must surely be based on some specific need, right?

Of course.  The need for a particular feel good wear around the neck kind of thing that says "look at me!"

Luxury.

Pure and simple.  Want.  Covetousness, lust, or simply overwhelming desire.  Spartan accoutrements be damned, lets go all out and have us a performing Arts Complex renovation of the Central High School Auditorium!"

And today, the local paper had it as a top of the page story:

" "You spend a few thousand dollars to fix the planks, wax the floors and paint the walls," Gillman said. "You don't spend $26 million at a time (when) people are struggling just to make their tax payments.

"People don't like this," Gillman said. "I haven't heard of anyone who is for this tax increase. They bit this one off too big this time. You shouldn't try to eat the elephant all at once. Little bites at a time." "

That could be the headline when the Traverse City Area Public Schools see their most recent request for millage fall flat on its fat face.

TCAPS is looking for support to continue its Capital Infrastructure Improvement Program through authorization of bond sales that will generate $100 million over the next 10 years. According to TCAPS, the millage rate necessary to repay these bonds will remain below 4 mills.  Given the current rate of 3.1 mills, where did the other 29% increase come from?  The purpose of these requests must be physical asset based only, and this level of increase must surely be based on some specific need, right?

Of course.  The need for a particular feel good wear around the neck kind of thing that says "look at me!"

Luxury.

Just wanted to give everyone an update on last week's URGENT ACTION ALERT asking you to contact potentially wavering Republican House members to encourage them to support parental choice in our kids' education.

The issue is such a slam dunk for Michigan parents and students even the Detroit News jumped on the bandwagon  in yesterday's Sunday edition, opining that the "House Should Choose School Choice."

Just two months ago, lawmakers faced lifting the cap on charter schools. They did, after a heated fight. Now, they are mulling whether to expand virtual charter schools. Legislators should not place the interests of the education establishment above families who desire this alternative.

The Republicans who wavered longest on the previous bill are the same ones who are irresolute now. The 10 or so lawmakers are mostly in their first term and are looking toward re-election in November.

Though they are getting pounded with calls and visits from school superintendents and teachers unions, they shouldn't allow their own political concerns to cloud their principles.

Indeed, and Amen!

Is it really that much to ask our self-described "conservative" lawmakers to put principle above self interest?  Probably.  So let's marry the two.  They're hearing from the Debbie Squires of the world.  They need to hear from you, too!

The unofficial word out of Speaker Bolger's office is that a vote on Senate Bill 619 will come this week Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.  Please take a moment TODAY to contact your own state Representative and encourage him or her to vote YES on SB 619, to stand up to the MEA and to give hope and opportunities to every kid in Michigan.

Last week's action alert identified about a dozen wobbly Republicans.  If you haven't reached out to them, please do that as well.  About half of the folks on that list have already heard your voice and plan to vote YES.  We need them all!

Today you can give them a shout and tie their principles to their self interest.

The various bills lifted the arbitrary cap on charter schools and empowered parents to pursue the education choices that work best for their kids.  As you probably know, two-thirds of the state's charter schools, most in urban districts like Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and - of course - Detroit, have waiting lists a mile long as parents demand more choices and better results for their children.

Despite the major advances and the fact that lawmakers listened to parents late last year, 2012 is an election year and some members of the state House Republican majority are worried about raising the ire of the MEA and their teacher union cronies.