Closing Ypsilanti High School's pool, cutting support staff hours among possible upcoming reductions
Among the potential cost-saving items tossed around by school board members Monday night were:
- Combining high school athletic programs with Willow Run Community Schools;
- Putting pressure on the Ypsilanti Public Schools Foundation;
- Reducing planning time or the number of furlough days for teachers;
- Reducing the number of art, music and physical education instructors at the elementaries;
- Eliminating transportation for in-district School of Choice students;
- Closing the high school pool; and
- Reducing support staff hours by 15 minutes per day.
The cuts are necessary following news that Ypsilanti won’t be permitted to borrow $14 million from the Michigan Department of Education to make payroll for the upcoming school year.
Due to the district’s poor financial status, it has been told it no longer has the “capacity to borrow” that much. Superintendent Dedrick Martin anticipates Ypsilanti Public Schools will be approved to borrow about $12.7 million.
Of the options on the table, school officials learned merging sports teams with Willow Run can be ruled out. Martin said the Michigan High School Athletic Association will not allow joint athletics because the districts are in different competitive classes due to the size of their student bodies.
The Ypsilanti Public Schools Foundation currently utilizes building space within the school district to house its operations and resale shop. District officials do not charge the foundation anything to use YPS’ facilities, Martin said.
Board trustee Sarah Devaney asked if allowing them that courtesy was a drain on the district in any way. Martin said the use of the facilities is “not really” a “drain.” But he said the foundation has not provided significant contributions back the district either.
“They are not fiscally healthy. So I’m not sure that they are really providing us anything,” he said. “They do a great service with their mini grants and scholarships, but beyond that…”
Board of Education President David Bates reminded those present at Monday’s meeting that the foundation owes the district $100,000. He expressed a desire to meet with foundation leaders to discuss the “loan.”
“It’s my opinion that if they can give raises to their executive director, then they seem to be in the position to begin paying back the district,” Bates said.
In 2009, the most recent year for which data was available, the Ypsilanti Public Schools Foundation reported contributions of $33,209 in donations/revenue and spent $43,101 on program services, including $26,522 for executive director Henry (Hank) McQueen’s compensation. According to the foundation’s IRS form 990, it had $222,857 in total assets at the end of the 2009 fiscal year.
YPS made two consecutive donations of $50,000 a year to the foundation when it was trying to get off the ground in 2007, Martin said.
"It was essentially for seed money, and the understanding was that would be repaid to the district. But the foundation has found it much more difficult to become viable."
Devaney asked whether the foundation had any binding legal agreement or requirement to pay back the $100,000 it owes YPS. District accountant Cathy Secor said no.
“They tend to forget about (the loan). I think their hope was that it would just go away,” Secor said.
Closing the high school pool could save Ypsilanti schools $100,000. Closing the Estabrook Elementary pool, which was approved previously, will save the district about that much, so the high school savings could be greater. Martin said he does not know the exact figure yet.
Bates said while he is a proponent of children learning how to swim ... these are dire times and there are other viable pools in the area.
Martin said in 2008, the district proposed unilaterally cutting the support staff’s workday by 15 minutes per day for a 3 percent payroll savings. However, it was controversial, he said, adding principals complained the most, saying it affected their ability to get things done as well. But the benefit to unilaterally reducing the support staff’s hours is the district does not have to negotiate or bargain out the agreement, it can just do it, Martin said.
Staff reporter Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
Rib Queen
Sun, Jul 29, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
As I keep saying: cut staff with enough years in the syatem to retire and hire newer ones at almost a 2 to 1 ratio==This is a state emergency for the district folks so use this to implement changes! Change is forcing it's way into education for a reason. No one is safe on this one. Reduce salaries and hours from the superintendent on down== now that's a creative thought isn't it? Make sure class sizes are in line with the salary being dedicated to the teacher. Case in point: art teacher refusing to take more than 16-18 students in her elective classes. Staff who are not properly credentialed/endorsed under the No Child Left Behind guidelines should not be at the top of ANY pay scale PERIOD. Lastly, put down your dinner forks and go to the board meetings. The board members who are pals with the administrative staff should become obvious in the first 15 minutes. The missing six million dollars is always a good place to start the conversation. And by the way==who deemed Willow Run the stepsister in all this? Willow Run has a superior facility at the high school plus an underutilized middle school space under the same roof. Enough said.
M Greenwood
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 1:37 a.m.
I hope the citizens of Willow Run do NOT vote to consolidate with Ypsi - Ypsi is a mess! A huge mess! Willow Run has done almost everything they can and reduced their deficit to just around 1 million. Ypsilanti continues to spend, continues to be administrative top heavy, and is almost 11 million in debt! They are fooling the public! They have no clue what to do - and they hope the citizens will be naive and foolish enough to pass a vote to consolidate so that we have an even bigger mess! Funny, only the school administrators and WISD administrators are promoting the consolidation.....the WISD doesn't want a state takeover nor do they have the funds to support the Ypsi district as needed. Willow Run would be smart to stay put, continue to be a small, good, school district. All the citizens of this community should JUST SAY NO!!!
Anonomys
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.
When it comes to the pool at the high school being shutdown why don't they shut down the one at Estabrook as well . And the adults are really screwed up that's why I don't go to school in their schools any more . The hire some of the worst teachers you can find usually some of them are actually good. But a chance of that is one in a thousand.
jns131
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
I hate to say it, but i agree with this post. Keep the hi school pool and close Estabrooks. Estabrooks pool every time I took mine thru the rec program? Closed due to some maintenance problem. I agree with the teacher thing. Some are good and some I don't even want to talk about.
twill68
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
Closing the pool at the high school is not going to save any money, as a matter of fact the district may lose money by closing the pool. If 15 students leave the district to attend districts that offer swimming, now we are losing money.
harry
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
The average student get over $11,000 per year from the government. How can you not make a class run on $330,000 or an elementary school run on $5 million dollars per year???? I think they really need to rethink this.
YpsiLivin
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 11:44 p.m.
jns131, The school districts get funding from sources other than the state. The state's per-pupil payment to Ypsilanti is about $7,500, but they also get federal funds that increase their overall revenue.
jns131
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.
They do? I'd like to see data on that one because Ann Arbor children are worth $9500 and Ypsilanti children are posted at I believe $7500 or less. Interesting.
justsayin
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
Schools are much more than just a classroom. If it was just about making a class run, I think that would be quite enough, even an abundance. Fortunately, schools are more than classrooms just as education is more than books. Everything else has a cost too.
timmom82
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 7:18 a.m.
Closing the pool at YHS, COULD be considered discrimmination considering the majority of its users are white and they are in the minority at YHS.
harry
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.
Really? I didn't think anybody did a study on that. What facts?
YpsiLivin
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
The school district should have required repayment of the "seed money" to the foundation. Since there is no agreement in writing to repay the $100,000, I think the board can safely consider that money gone. Based on the number of households and businesses in the school district, it would take a one-time assessment of about $300 per "taxable entity" to eliminate the deficit. I have no idea whether that's even legal, but that's about what it would cost to get the district back to Square One. Martin needs to be a little more forthcoming about what Moody's said and when. Moody's downgraded the school district in April. Right now, I think they're about two steps above junk and already has $80 million in outstanding bonds. At this point, I see no harm in bringing an EFM in. An EFM certainly couldn't do much worse in this situation.
sc8
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 11:44 p.m.
@Ypsilivin: I couldn't agree more. Dedrick Martin did not run the district into the ground. The board is responsible. There is one person on the board who hasn't been around this mess as long as Linda Horne, David Bates, Floyd Brumfeld, and Andy Fanta have. They are the ones responsible...but the voters keep putting them in there......
YpsiLivin
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
sc8, In my mind, the question regarding Dedrick Martin is and always has been, "Why did the school district hire an unqualified administrator in the first place?" There are plenty of PhDs, (especially in this area), who are educationally and experientially qualified to run the district. Martin wasn't among them, yet the school board went with him instead of choosing another candidate or extending their search. Ypsilistener, a countywide millage to help one school district isn't the right approach. If anything, it's passage would have simply prolonged the fiscal problems in the Ypsilanti Public School District. As for the academics, they've already taken a huge hit while being "fully funded." Lack of money didn't cause the district's academic problems, so pouring money into the classrooms there won't solve them. It's time to admit that the wrong people are in charge.
ypsilistener
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.
@YpsiLivin, I certainly understand that the district has multiple problems. My point was, balancing the budget would solve one of them, but the academics would take a huge hit--one we can ill afford. This would only compound both problems. "Throwing money at these problems won't make either one go away." Are you implying that smaller budgets will help?? Have they helped so far? I resent that the school districts that need the most help--whether it be financially, academically, or sociologically--are the ones that are punished the fastest and harshest. I also understood and acknowledged that the county's voters (a subgroup of the taxpayers) spoke. I was merely suggesting that a similar idea to yours had been brought forth already, and had not panned out.
sc8
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
The seed money is drop in the bucket...but if the district is seriously looking at the budget, why does the issue of tuition reimbursement for Dedrick Martin's doctorate keep coming up? If it is true that they are paying his six figure salary (among other fringe benefits he received when he accepted the job, such as travel/move expenses), AND for him to go to school, his contract needs to be renegotiated.
Aquarius
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 2:50 a.m.
I put this on the former Superintendant who oh by the way came from Benton Harbor which oh by the way has an Emergency Manager. Hmmm!
YpsiLivin
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 2:38 a.m.
Ypsilistener, the school district has multiple problems; don't confuse them. On one hand, the school district has a performance problem. The students don't demonstrate that they're receiving an effective education. On the other hand, the school district is mismanaging its money. The result is a $10M deficit. They are two separate problems and they require two separate solutions. Throwing money at these problems won't make either one go away. Time and time again, Ypsilanti has demonstrated that more money doesn't produce better student performance. Having more money to work with is nice, no doubt, but the district has never been able to translate more money into better performance. The school district has demonstrated in a big way that it can't manage the money it has. Plowing more money into the district won't help it manage money better; it will only increase the district's losses. Someone at the district level needs to make decisions in the cold, hard light of day about what the district can and cannot afford, and then budget accordingly. They also need to learn how to forecast realistically when crafting a budget. Expecting enrollment increases is foolhardy, yet each year, the board optimistically projects that enrollment in the school district will rise. They draft a budget based on unrealistic numbers, and then have to scramble to accommodate the annual drop in enrollment. If the current administrators cannot make impartial, realistic decisions about spending, they should be relieved of their spending authority. Ultimately, the taxpayers are on the hook for the school district's deficits; we end up paying for them one way or another. With regard to the millage, the taxpayers in the county spoke.
ypsilistener
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
No, your "deficit elimination plan" is not legal. The countywide enhancement millage proposed a few years ago was legal, and surely would have helped, but was defeated. If all we worried about was balancing the books, an EFM might just be the answer. However, I don't think education is a priority for an EFM, and it is for the school district. If only there were easy--and fast--answers.
amelia
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
Just a question? How about getting rid of Ypsilanti's AP classes (or post the success rate) rather than cut a vocational program mid-year? This would be unfortunate for the few that actually are invested in AP, but is it worth the manpower when you are throwing the ones learning a life skill that they will need to survive, under the bus?
jns131
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 10:22 p.m.
The AP classes cannot be cut because some students need them to get into elite colleges. This is what I heard. AP classes are accelerated programs designed to get children out of the system earlier rather then later. Some actually go into college in the 11th grade. Graduate with their peers from hi school and can actually graduate at the same time in an associate program thru a local college. This program is really designed to get children out of the pubic system early. They do this in Great Britain.
Matt
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 7:52 p.m.
I have had a handful of friends who have worked for YPS, and the stories I hear make you understand how much of a mess that disctrict is. It's sad that it's gotten as far as it has. The stories I've heard make me wonder how much corruption and how many back-hand deals have happened and for how long they have been happening.
Millicent Little
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
I have taught for Ypsilanti Public Schools for fifteen years and have, until the last couple of years, had a wonderful teaching experience. I student taught at Ardis Elementary and fell in love with the students, families, staff and community. I prayed that upon graduation from EMU that I would be offered a position in this awesome school district. You can only imagine my excitement when, two weeks before my teaching assignment ended, I was offered a permanent position in the same building where I student taught! Many years of ups and downs have passed since then, but beyond being among the lowest paid in the area, progressive pay cuts and declining work environment, my colleagues and I have continued to joyfully go about the business of educating and nurturing kids, because that is what we were created to do. Yes, I say created because the teaching profession is not a career that one chooses because of the lucrative pay. Many argue that our our pay is great, many teachers retire making a good salary. However, teaching is a profession where personal time and money spent, as well as sacrificing financially yearly for the good of the students year after year, far outweigh an $80,000 salary. But you very rarely hear teachers complain, because we are doing what we feel our life's mission is, and someone still needs to educate our youth. However, there comes a time when the stresses of making ends meet catch up with you and begin to affect how much of yourself you can continue to give without feeling like you are being stretched to pieces. I love working with my students and their families , but in order to perform my job with patience and undivided attention that my students deserve, I need a reasonable assurance that my personal NEEDS will be met. I no longer have that assurance; I am on the verge of losing my home and struggle to pay bills. Now I have to think about giving my all to kids without ANY pay. At this point, all I can do is pray.
ypsilistener
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 9:11 p.m.
Millicent and Krista, I can hardly read with the tears in my eyes. Thank you. You make a difference.
Krista Boyer
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
Millicent, Very well said. There are some evil folks around who seem to think that we are living the high life as teachers. I'd love to invite them over (I'm too nice for my own good) to see just how great I have it. They are welcome to visit my three bedroom home and sit on my hand me down furniture. I live in the Ypsi district, and I don't mean the Lincoln side. My kids are very friendly and will likely invite them to stay for supper. I hope they like noodles and margarine, it's a staple around here. I am sure to be home because we haven't been able to afford a family vacation in years. With yet another pay cut, or pay less paydays, I will surely be home as I won't be able to afford my car anymore. I don't think people have a true understanding of just how unique our student population is. People just want to point to test scores and holler about how they aren't good enough. What a test score never shows is how FAR a student has actually come. I take children who don't now their letters, or how to write their own names, and teach them as much as their little hearts will hold. I also work to inspire them to work even harder, every day so that someday they can be ANYTHING that they can dream of. I hug them before I put them on the bus, and remind them just how awesome they are, hoping and praying that something we did at school will excite them enough to tell somebody at home about their day. Each child comes to us with his/her own story, and we take them in, and love them, and try our best to bring out their full potential with an ever shrinking budget. Last year I was shocked to find that I was an emergency contact for a former student, and while her mom was in the hospital I could either take her home with me, or let her go to CPS. As a fellow Ypsilanti teacher, I am sure you know which choice I made. May God, Oprah, or Ellen take pity on our poor district and make the changes that we so desperately need.
localvoice
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.
The point is that most teachers have already been spending in areas that the public is not even aware exist. Ask any Ypsi teacher when they have had a new reading, math, science of social studies curriculum? Yet, they supplement out of their own pockets so students can learn. It is not on the shoulders of teachers to balance budgets, create PR opportunities, or bail districts out of terrible situations. That was the CFO (even the one YPS hired that ran WR in to the ground). Principals have every right to give sub-par teachers poor evaluations if warranted, thus leading to removal. Also, the MEA exists less and less as each day goes by. To blame Unions for district failings is a cop-out. Finally, now seniority is non-existent, so I'm sure some people can sleep better at night. All the crappy, money loving teachers will be run out of town!
greg, too
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
So the failures of the Ypsi schools are only caused by evil money grubbing teachers and has nothing to do with horrible educational planning from Washington on down, school of choice robbing Ypsi of it's best and brightest and leaving the schools with the poor students they have, or possibly the colossal failure of Ypsi and Ypsi Township parents to assist in the educational process? Wooosh, I am so happy we can just pin it on the teachers...it makes it so much easier instead of blaming the failing parents.
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 7:24 p.m.
sc8 - Good teachers are worth high salaries. But teacher salaries are not based on performance, they're based on seniority and union rules.
sc8
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.
@Angry Moderate: Your logic is skewed. You clearly don't want to pay teachers more than the "average income", yet also want a high performing district. How can this be done without spending on any organization's most important resource? (This is not rhetorical question.)
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
Teacher salaries are not an indirect welfare program for poor students. Your friends can spend their paychecks as they please, but taxpayers aren't responsible for covering Christmas gifts.
localvoice
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
I appreciate your thoughts and all that you do for your students. It is a sad state to see how our society views teachers and education. You did not mention the money you spend to keep your certification, buy materials (that the district has not been able to afford for some time), and the extra time you take from your own life to educate Ypsi's kids. I am well aware that many, many Ypsi teachers feed and clothe their students, as they are some of the most needy in the state. My friend provided Christmas gifts for an entire family in need out of his own pocket this year. The thought of him and others losing homes and not being able to provide for their families is sickening. Payless paydays means less for his family and his students, as he won't be able to provide the "extras" (food, field trips, books) for the most needy students. I'm sure that there are too many Ypsi teachers in the same boat. I hope there is an answer somewhere for you all and it comes very soon!
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.
Patti - the "good" pensions were created by promising people money that doesn't exist. That's why the most teacher-friendly states, like California and New Jersey, are massively, massively screwed with unfunded liabilities that can't possibly be paid back.
Millicent Little
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
I do not post often on these boards so am not sure how to respond directly to a poster. @ Aquarius...I was not referring to the school district of Ypsilanti teachers making $80,000 per year, but in some of the higher paying districts, depending on level of education, it is not unheard of for a teacher to retire making around $80,000 per year. Many teachers also help their last three year salaries along by performing extra duty assignments (coaching, summer school, etc.). However, as you stated, this is not salary of YPS teachers even with extra duties. :-)
Aquarius
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.
The teachers in YPSI have never made close to 80 K and they will be lucky to make half that amount if they don't fight back and let the administration know that they refuse to make up for the DOUBLE DIPPERS who ran the school system into the ground and then retired into oblivion. These people should stand trial for their crimes and account for their misdeeds. I'm sure there are some attorneys out there who would be happy to pursue a class action lawsuit against some of these thugs. The bottom line was they didn't have the money but they kept spending it and now we are left to clean up their mess. THANKS!!!
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 5:16 p.m.
"But you very rarely hear teachers complain" LOL.
Patti Smith
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 4:48 p.m.
Thank you for a beautiful post. I am a teacher too, and while I don't make anywhere near $80k, I am grateful for a good salary. The problem is, people like "NoPC" don't give a crap about us girls--er, *teachers*. At some point, probably thanks to hate radio and an increasingly ignorant population who votes against its own interests, our society has "evolved" to a point where people say, "I don't have [pension, good salary, benefits], so why should she?" I'd much rather someone like NoPC and his ilk say, "Hey, they have good benefits, a good salary...how can I get that?" Sadly, I have no idea how to get us back to that line of thinking.
braggslaw
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
Let's be clear ... this has nothing to do with the kids and everything to do with the dollars used to pay the employees of the school system (including the MEA). The teachers will constantly use the "public good" argument but the only" good" in the Ypsi schools is that the teacher contracts and benefits are supported. Ypsi has the highest per pupil funding in Washtenaw county, yet they are running out of money and failing in their single most important service, educating kids.
M Greenwood
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 1:42 a.m.
Ypsi has the highest per pupil funding in Washtenaw County? Where do you get your information? Ann Arbor has the highest per pupil foundation - they are still a hold harmless district. Please get your stuff straight before posting.
tom swift jr.
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.
Braggslaw's statement "Ypsi has the highest per pupil funding in Washtenaw county, yet they are running out of money and failing in their single most important service, educating kids." is not true (I'm assuming that he means what he said with the word "funding" and did not actually mean "expenditure", if I'm incorrect, he can certainly correct his statement here.)
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.
There is no "bus" to throw the kids under. Busing is getting cut so that the teacher's union and the "achievement gap consultants" can keep riding the gravy train.
Aquarius
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
You are getting your info from The Mackinac Center for Public Propaganda, ALEC, Americans for Prosperity and every other rethuglican shill organization that brainwashes you. When the economy was rolling and you were making money hand over fist life was good but now that times are tougher you want to throw kids and their teachers under the bus. Send your money to the charter school CEO making 5 million per year. FEEL BETTER!
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
And they will threaten to cut classroom services and close schools to blackmail parents into voting for tax increases. Notice how it's always visible things that go first--like the school buses in Ann Arbor.
NoPC
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.
Forget the kids! Just keep the teacher's pensions and benefits safe!!
slave2work
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.
Has the superintendent, or principles taking any hits on income? I get the feeling that we are seeing an end to " public" education as we know it. The cost of books and all the other federal and state mandates have sunk the schools. Do we really need to have a speech and social workers all with in the school system?. I understand their are kids who need help. but can't that be an after school or county wide thing?.Just seems that they need to come from the top and outside of the circle and work in. to the teachers and students.. just a thought..
Rib Queen
Sun, Jul 29, 2012 : 2:58 p.m.
Uh, the answer would be no. It's easier to look to people who support families on 14.00 per hour such as para pros. Ever heard of the big broom policy? Sweep administration and board clean and start over with those who put children first! Just saying====
jns131
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 10:16 p.m.
That is the only reason school buses exist. To transport special needs children. The rest are just there because we are told to. As for hits on the brass? LOL Look no further then AAPS. What a hoot that is.
apples
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
Speech,social workers and other special education staff are needed.The services are mandated by federal and state law. See Mi Department of ed./gov for more info.
sc8
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
Looks like Dedrick and David are running out of people to throw under the bus. Or are they? Think about this...Washtenaw ISD is for the consolidation of Ypsi and Willow Run. Obviously the central administrations of both districts support it. The plan even got praise from State Superintendent Michael Flanagan. However, the plan all hinges on the vote of the people. The cuts will go through, but notice they are all cuts that are the most visible to the public. Hmm....wonder if they are trying to sway public opinion?
M Greenwood
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.
Of course they are! The WISD is broke and does not want to support these districts any longer, and they don't want the state to be in control and take over. However, what would that hurt? The folks that would be out of jobs are the central administrators! Good! Cut them loose and keep the teachers in the classrooms.
xmo
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
I do not see anything about cutting administrators or teachers benefits or pensions? Why do the children have to suffer because the adults screwed up? I do like the idea of payless days, it's so much like volunteering for the common good!
Steven Harper Piziks
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
Oh, that's a good one. Work for free because it's the right thing to do. People will line up around the block for that one. I'm sure the landlord will also give rent for free, and the utility company will give electricity for free, and the store will give groceries for free to these teachers who are teaching for free.
chelle
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.
Why is it our turn to "pony up"? I am sorry, it is a school, of course you pay out more for teachers than anything else! If it were a factory, it would make sense you would pay the most out for line workers. With my Master's degree and 20 years under my belt, I barely bring home $30,000 a year. The article is saying further cuts, no it does not state the 12.3% paycut, the changes in insurance, the changes in retirement, the 3% mandated by the state from last year. It also does not mention the mountains of student loans most of us owe in order to do our jobs (mandated by the state we go back to school). I understand how folks in the private sector are upset as there careers are most often based on the economy and how it is functioning... I chose to educate your kids. XMO I would like to suggest that YOU are told to volunteer at YOUR job, everything is for the common good in one form or another.
E
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
How can anyone out here say that they like the no payday idea, will you be the one going into school to teach your children? How are the teachers supposed to survive? Would you to work at a place that is telling you that it won't be able to pay you and you will be working for free? Come on now...get real!
NoPC
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 7:38 p.m.
@Aquarius-- cut at least 25%??? Where does it say that? I'll bet the teacher's union would have something to say about that!
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.
LOL, and why should teachers not have to pay the same tax on their pension as everyone else? I didn't know that taxing people who make above-average incomes was a "rethuglican" plan.
Aquarius
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.
If you read the article it clearly states that teachers will be losing AT LEAST 25% of their take home pay. Along with the rethuglican tax on teacher pensions, teachers have now joined the working poor. Welcome to the Mississippi of the north my friends!
NoPC
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.
Hey, I'm a small business man and I've been taking pay cuts ever since this economy turned south! I've watched my income cut in half and all I hear about is how we have to keep cutting from the kids. Time for the teachers and staff to pony up. If you have problem putting gas in your car to get to work, join the club! Ride a bike.
klatte
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 2:08 p.m.
That is the least informed comment I have read in while, and that's saying something. Who are you to decide who gets paid for their job and who doesn't? Volunteering is by choice, not by mandate.
sc8
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.
And just how will people put gas in their car in order to get to work? Get real.
Y-TownMom
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
Does the public understand how a payless payday works? Employees don't get paid, period. It's not as if the district would owe the money and pay it later. It will be devastating for many families.
jns131
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 10:13 p.m.
The other scary thought? Do what they do to the seasonal employees. No checks during the summer. Try living off of no pay July and August and waiting for a check at the end of September beginning of October. If from what I am reading here? Will put a real crimp on things. I have seen teachers work during the summer to make ends meet. I do.
E
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 9:20 p.m.
@ Angry.... do you not understand that if we can't get to work your kids will not learn? How are we supposed to live with payless paydays?
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.
The crappy, failing schools (which were crappy and failing long before the budget cuts) are also devastating for many families.
JB1
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 11:16 a.m.
So, I'm asking this in all honesty (NOT that I want it to happen!), but what would happen if we simply closed Ypsilanti Public Schools? The state protects rights to a free public education, right? So, would the ball then be in the State's court to find a place for all the students in the YPS district? Where would they go to school? I'm wondering if there isn't a way to play hardball with the State on this one. With all the cuts, students are lost, and then money is lost--its a flawed system. How much would it cost to pay AAPS to take Ypsi students? Or Lincoln? Again, not that ANY of this is good--and the kids become a pawn--but what else is there to do in these situations?
Steven Harper Piziks
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
The governor would probably appoint an emergency financial manager (until and unless the law banning such goes on the ballot) and force a lot of budget cuts onto the district, or try to sell the district to a charter.
jns131
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
If they close Ypsilanti and WR, where are these children going to go? No where. Ann Arbor does not have the room and the charters are very selective in letting these children in. Belleville is at capacity and well, guess what? Leaves very little wiggle room for the rest who have no where to go. Bad idea.
Krista Boyer
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
I AM one of those teachers, and the prospect of not getting paid is terrifying. I have student loans to pay, and children to feed.
Krista Boyer
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
At least if the school system closed completely (not that I want it to happen either) the teachers, secretaries, custodians, para pros, lunch workers, and administrators would be able to get unemployment checks. As it stands now, they are expected to work and just HOPE they get paid.
JB1
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.
I totally agree with you JM, and I'd LOVE to stand up for our schools and do what's right. I really do believe that teachers should make more than college football coaches! ;) But, it just seems like everything is stacked against us. I'm an Ypsi resident, and would love to see a thriving school system, but my post was more about how to we get from here to there? What are our options for standing up and doing something?
JM
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
What would happen? Teachers won't be able to feed their family, pay their bills, get medical help. Buildings will sit empty. The students will be shipped/bused out of their own District into another school district giving money and work to those communities. Come on people be proud of where you live and your own community and stand up for your neighbors and friends and for OUR CHILDREN! Don't let this happen. It isn't just about the students it is about your community. Imagine going to work everyday as our dedicated teachers do and not knowing if you are going to get paid or if you will be able to pay your bills or if you are going to loose your him or job and have no where to go? What else is there to do? Look at the budget, stop giving pay raises to those people that run the District. Stand up for our Teachers and the Students. If the District closes Ypsilanti will become an empty Town the economy is already bad but without the Schools there will be nothing left here.
Jonny Spirit
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 11:53 a.m.
The State doesn't give a crap about the kids. If they cared they would give back the $457 per students back to the schools they took. If Ypsilanti can not figure out the funds then the State will send in a Financial Adviser and they will cut everything you have and pay your teachers $15,000 a year. And then they will say: "see we fixed it", good luck. Of course everybody would leave the district and Ypsilanti will look like Detroit and have 10,000 abandoned houses. I wish you luck Ypsi