Category Archives: Schools

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

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

Posted in Schools | Leave a comment

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

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

Posted in Poor, Schools, Taxes | Leave a comment

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

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 | Leave a comment

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

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

Posted in Collective Bargaining, Schools | Leave a comment

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

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

Posted in DeVos Family, Right-to-Work, Schools | Leave a comment

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

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

Posted in Chamber of Commerce, Schools | Leave a comment

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

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

Posted in Schools | 2 Comments

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

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

Posted in Schools | 1 Comment

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

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

Posted in Schools | Leave a comment

School District Loses $57,000 for Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

ShareDo you remember the movie Indecent Proposal?  The movie, released in 1993, starred on-screen couple Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson.  It also starred Robert Redford as a handsome billionaire.  Redford’s character becomes so smitten with Moore’s character after meeting her in a casino that he offers the … Continue reading

Posted in Schools | Leave a comment