ResidentAnvil

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 10:05 a.m.

Mr. Bower--I agree that all public school students should be funded equally, but I have always been curious about why a charter school or academy is considered a public school?

American Family

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 9:14 a.m.

I will vote: NO I think that the schools should use the money they have better. The basics first. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Science, History, Politics, Gym. Then the Arts. THEN the extra liberal "tree hugging", "For the children" waste of money classes. Don't get me wrong. I just think that allot of the money in schools today is being wasted on crud that should be taught in the home by the family. If little Timmy chooses to drop out of school, he will. Extra money to bribe him to stay will not work. Never has. Never will. Ask little Timmy's father to explain to him the virtues of a good education. Same goes for little Suzy. Have a baby at 12 equals ruined life for little suzy and her baby. Ask her mother AND father to explain that to her. The schools job is to get the kids ready to be literate, and adult functional when they turn 17, 18, or even 19. Social engineering, is not the schools job. That is the families job. If little Timmy and Suzy wants to learn, the school is there to teach. If they don't want to learn, then it is up to mom and dad to explain it to them. If they still choose to ruin their life... worry not; Correctional Officer Smith will have work for them to do, and help teach them how a good education could have helped them. Heartless? No. Realest. The schools get plenty of money to do their job. The Teachers do it will, when allowed. There is no need for extra money. Use what they have for what it is intended for.

Tom Bower

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 9:11 a.m.

ResidentAnvil, I agree. So, why aren't we providing funding for ALL public school students in Washtenaw County? I'm referring to the more than 3,500 students attending nine public school academies in Washtenaw County who won't see one penny from the enhancement millage. Are these students and their tax paying parents some kind of second class citizens? These are public school students, too. What have WISD and local general powers school district officials done during the two-year lead up to this election to change the current law that discriminates against public school academy students with respect to general enhancement millages. Nothing. Why? They should be asked about this. In addition, public school academies are doing more with less: Michigan Charter Schools Do More with Less Source: Michigan Association of Public School Academies http://www.charterschools.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=44 Charters are doing more with less. 62% of the state's charter students are minorities, one of the highest ratios in the country and significantly above the state average of 26 percent. About 58% of Michigan charter students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch. Charter schools receive a per-pupil funding of about $7,888. This is $1,198 less per student than all traditional schools statewide, and $2,576 less per student than the traditional district where the charter school is located. Charter total student funding is never more than what the local district gets. Charters are not allowed to levy millages or sell public bonds. In fact, many charters pay property taxes back to traditional districts. Michigan charters put their dollars in the classroom. Latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows 63% of all charter staff are in the classroom, directly helping children to learn. In contrast, the state average for all schools is 48% -- among the worst in the nation. According to the Michigan Dept of Education (MDE), charter school students in grades K-8 outperform students in similar traditional public school districts in 25 of 27 MEAP tests. Charter high school students have achieved an 86% graduation rate, 12% above similar traditional districts. According to the MDE, students in charter schools receive, on average, $1,778 less per year in combined state and local financial resources than students in host districts. I agree its important to provide funding for our public schools, but this should include ALL public school students, including those attending public school academies (charter schools) in Washtenaw County.

I'm Ron Burgandy

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 8:57 a.m.

It's time for the schools to make the hard cuts just like every other business has had to do. Time to vote NO.

HaiRyus

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 8:06 a.m.

I personally don't feel that it is correct to look at private cost-cutting measures and claim that school systems have an obligation to do the same. Yes, they need to reduce costs, but with huge losses in tax revenue, there is only so far you can go towards closing the gap before the quality of the education suffers. Making the education system any worse off than it already is, by further increasing class sizes and cutting teachers, is NOT a recipe for attracting the residents and businesses the State needs for an economic recovery. School systems are going to have to cut costs with or without the millage, but I don't see how anyone can expect public education to work without supporting it financially. In the long run, the state and individual communities cannot afford to NOT pay for their schools... it's the future of their community and their economy.

dotdash

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 7:39 a.m.

JimmyOlsen, I have to disagree with you that for most people it's political. For the "no new taxes" people, okay, it may be political. But most others are legitimately trying to balance out their financial situations with the needs of school children and the effect on AA's reputation and property values. I, for one, would be happy with whatever party solved this mess in a way that didn't jeopardize our long-term interests.

Jimmy Olsen

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 6:47 a.m.

87goblue and Alan I dont think anyone disputes that MOST teachers work hard. It is a tough job. It is a tough job that they chose as a profession, just like I chose my profession, and I work hard at my job. And a good teacher makes all the difference in education. Some of the bad teachers are protected by antiquated tenure laws. However, the difference between public and private jobs becomes more obvious in these stressful economic times. My company has given no raises, no 401k matching, no bonuses, downgraded our health plan (thank goodness it is a Health Savings Account plan) for 2009 to 2010. For 2010, they also permanently capped time-off benefits and changed all hourly workers from a 36 hour work week to a 40 hour work week with no adjustment in earnings (a salary reduction). Last Friday 30 people lost their jobs and I expect more this Friday. My wifes company followed a similar path of reductions. This scenario plays out every day in every industry across this state and others. I dont have any more to give. I think the point people are trying to make here is public employees are no different. It is simply revenues versus expenses. Unfortunately, in the Michigan economy, revenues are declining which means expenses need to decline. You cannot avoid the fact that the majority of costs in any school district are salary and benefits (85 to 88% I would guess across the county). Adding to this decline in revenue is a political struggle to fund public schools appropriately. This is VERY political and people on both sides dont give a care about the kids it is about politics. When the $165 dollar reduction was announced did any of the local MEA units step up to the plate immediately and announce they would offer solutions? The AAPS 0% raise was a marketing effort to further enhance a YES vote. If this passes, they will be standing in line for increases. It is nice to see that the Lincoln teachers have given up something, but that is not true in all districts across the county. Some teachers still DO NOT contribute any money to their health care premiums. Unfortunately, in this case, the product of these employees is our childrens education. We all want our children to have every advantage, but there are tough decisions to make ahead. If this millage does pass, I for one, will hold my school board accountable for each and every penny, and I will bet you most of those pennies will be for salary and benefits.

Alan Benard

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 9:37 p.m.

It is certain that the loud few here who demand cuts in school budgets will get them, with or without this millage. Gov. Grandholm has ensured this, cutting $3 million from AAPS' budget in the middle of the year. The difference between how much will be cut next year with or without the millage is the difference between bad or catastrophic.Ann Arbor Public Schools has already cut more than $16 million from its budget over the past four years. Even if it eliminated every single administrator tomorrow, that would only fill the projected deficit for one year -- and then what would you cut next year? In 2010, the federal stimulus money that has propped up state schools funding will end and that is the cliff over which several Washtenaw Co. school districts are in serious danger of going bankrupt and falling into into state receivership. This will not do good things for local property values. Do not listen uncritically to the naysayers in these comments who hate teachers' unions for ideological reasons, or extremists with an axe to grind against the very concept of public education. Listen to the facts about what has been done to control spending, what will happen under projected funding scenarios, and then make up your mind. http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/2009millage/state_of_financing_movie Anticipating the inevitable chorus of "It's all lies!" I invite people who think they can do it better to run for the school board and give it a try.

interested

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 9:03 p.m.

Amen 87 goblue!

87goblue

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 7:16 p.m.

I am a taxpayer and a mother, my budget is as tight as it gets, but I am voting yes. Good education attracts families and employers. I wonder how many of you who are so opposed to this millage are truly aware of what schools have done to cut expenses, contain costs, streamline services, and do more with less? I am sure not many, since most of you seem to operate on ill conceived stereo types. I am an educated voter and I know that my district has made cut costs, tightened belts and has accounted for every penny spent. Lincoln teachers have made concessions to help save their fellow colleagues from losing jobs. This school district has cut corners even hiring someone to make sure that the district is doing everything they can to save energy costs. This often means dedicated teachers work after hours when the buildings are hot and/or extremely cold. Teachers spend countless extra hours working on behalf of children. I know my children's teachers do. They work hard and they have a hard job. They deserve to be compensated and they are not out of touch. If you aren't sure how to vote I suggest you talk to your local district and ask them what has happened and what is likely to happen if this doesn't pass. Maybe you don't have children, but good schools help keep property values up. Good schools keep at risk kids in school and off the streets. There comes a point when you can't cut anymore or depend on a fickle legislature to save our children. We must step up to the plate and make the right choice, even if it means some sacrifice on our parts. Our schools are suffering and that means our kids are suffering too... Good teachers = good schools=engaged students=less crime=more commerce= more prosperity for all. Vote YES! It helps all of us.

ResidentAnvil

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 3:15 p.m.

I will be voting YES on the millage. I will also not let the detractors, here and elsewhere, sway my conviction that public school funding is the most important issue for our future. People can complain about paying higher taxes all they want, but without a strong public school system, there is no future for this community.

Christine

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 6:45 a.m.

I strongly oppose this new tax. While I can appreciate the motivation and concerns of those who are advocating to add an additional tax to the burden of Washtenaw County citizens, I do not understand the logic. The better logic is that during tough times leaders need to make tough decisions, do more with less and take responsibility for the circumstances rather than shifting the responsibility to others. Education leaders in Ann Arbor need to look internally for ways to achieve the results they want with the money that is currently available. Certainly many households are needing to do the same. It is illogical to ask the citizens to bear any greater burden than the already onerous level of taxation that already exists.

John Galt

Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 11:21 p.m.

Just vote NO to more taxes, in this already high-tax area.

Tom Bower

Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 4:50 p.m.

Robert W. Coller, Sorry Robert, but none of the millage money will be used to support the education of the more than 3,500 students in Washtenaw County who attend its nine public school academies. These are public school students, Bob. They are as deserving of the enhancement millage funding as the other public school students in Washtenaw County. Robert, what have you or COPE done to correct the discriminatory nature of the current state law that prohibits enhancement millage funds from benefiting ALL public school students, including those attending the fastest growing segment of the public school population in Washtenaw County -- public school academy students?

lbechard

Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 4:22 p.m.

I agree with Zulu. No new taxes. Here we go again, before millage issue is voted upon, taxpayers will be shamed and bullied into taking more out of their shrinking paychecks in the name of protecting education. If more money needs to be spent for continuing education, the money should come from cuts, specifically from state teachers bloated benefits package. We are all cutting back and making due in these difficult times, except the teachers. I am not saying cut salaries. Slash benefits instead. Benefits for public school teachers cost taxpayers $2.6 billion a year or about $1,600 per pupil. That's 41 percent above the national average and consumes roughly 35 percent of school district budgets. That is outrageous.

KeepingItReal

Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 3:34 p.m.

Sorry Robert. I plan to vote no on this millage.