Author Archives: chadphillips

House Republicans Move Forward Anti-Teacher Legislation Despite Objections From Almost Every Educational Group in the State

Posted on May 22, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareThe House Education Committee passed a bill today (HB4625) that would institute merit pay for new teachers or for those wanting to opt into the merit pay system.  The bill would become law when the Michigan Council on Educator Effectiveness, whose members are all … Continue reading →

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Fixing the Roads: The Issues, the Numbers, and Why Schools are Being Dragged Into the Mess

Posted on May 21, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareA recent town hall meeting on road funding in Wexford County revealed a lot about the condition of our roads.  It also revealed the most likely scenario for funding ongoing road repairs. County Road Association of Michigan Deputy Director Ed Noyola set the … Continue reading →

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George Bush/Dick DeVos Charter School Fundraiser Highlights Disturbing Future of Public Schools

Posted on May 17, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareGeorge W. Bush and school privatization advocate Dick DeVos teamed up to raise over $400,000 for the West Michigan Aviation Academy this week.  West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA) is a public charter high school that already receives more money per pupil from the state than 511 of Michigan’s … Continue reading →

Posted in DeVos Family, Schools | 2 Comments

Showing the Math: Republicans Interference with Collective Bargaining Does More Harm Than Good

Posted on May 2, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareIn 2011 Michigan Republican Legislators passed Public Act 152.  The law capped the amount of money a public employer can pay for its employee’s health insurance.  The law also impacted people who choose not to take the health insurance and instead take a cash amount in lieu … Continue reading →

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No Foolin’: Mackinac Center Wants to Create a Second Class of Teachers

Posted on April 1, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareThe Mackinac Center continues to put forth wild ideas in the name of “free market” and “limited government.”  Churning out propaganda paid for by the super rich Dick DeVos’ of the world wouldn’t be a problem if our inept state legislators were smart enough to … Continue reading →

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Chamber President Slams Schools, Says Remediated Students Should Be Able To Sue

Posted on February 28, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareLocal school districts and local businesses are typically die hard supporters of each other. However, the organization that represents many of these local businesses at the state level, the Chamber of Commerce, is not a supporter of public schools.  Rich Studley, the President of the Michigan … Continue reading →

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Public School’s 2% Increase Will Feel Like Only a 1/2% Increase

Posted on February 18, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareGovernor Snyder recently released his 2013-14 budget.  School districts breathed a sigh of relief when they heard they would be getting a 2% increase instead of the rumored funding cut.  Schools are getting used to funding cuts.  After all, the per-pupil foundation allowance was actually … Continue reading →

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Michigan’s Poor and Middle Class are Disproportionately Burdened with Taxes. Snyder’s Road Bill Would Add to the Problem.

Posted on February 10, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareMichigan has a fairly regressive tax rate.  According to data from The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), the bottom 80% of Michiganders pay almost 10% of their income in taxes while the top 20% only pay about 7% of their … Continue reading →

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Legislators Have the Means to Make Michigan Schools Safer. Here is What They Should Do and How You Can Help.

Posted on February 6, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareLegislators have the means to make Michigan schools safer.  Since Republicans have  control of the House, the Senate, and the Governorship, they will need to lead the initiative.  Here are three relatively uncontroversial ways they can help us protect school children. 1. … Continue reading →

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Republicans Pledge Support For Teachers (No this is not a joke)

Posted on February 2, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareThey’ve compared teachers to whiny children who haven’t earned their allowance.  They are making them pay an additional 6% or more for benefits they were already promised.  They have raided the school aid fund causing their employers to freeze their wages and charge them more for … Continue reading →

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