Downriver Michigan Election Results

Downriver Michigan Election Results

Flat Rock School Board (Final)

Incumbents (both unopposed, both elected): Amy Carter – 1377, Frank Hamet – 1151

Partial Terms (2 positions/winners, 3 candidates): Michelle Engelbert – 1196, Cathy Kamin – 1088, Sean Ryan – 864

Congratulations Amy, Frank, Michelle, and Cathy!

Millage Renewal

Yes – 1804

No – 717

Other important election results

State House of Representative (District 23): Pat Somerville – 15,742, Deb Kennedy – 13, 657

State Senate (District 7): Patrick Colbeck – 55,109, Kathleen Law – 42,961

Congratulations Pat and Patrick!

Election Day - Downriver Politics - Bill Rice

Today is Election Day. This is your chance to vote for your future, and the future of your family.

I’m sure you already knew that; assuming your telephone has been ringing and your mailbox has been stuffed with campaign propaganda, like mine. I’m also assuming you already know a lot about the big political races for Governor to State Representative. But, you may not know as much about the Flat Rock school board candidates and a critical school funding issue on the ballot.

Here are my opinions of these ballot choices.

First, before I reveal any of my personal choices for this election I want to preface my comments with this: I think each and everyone of these candidates is qualified to serve on the school board and I thank them for having the courage and passion to run a political campaign. With that said, I think your choice (and mine listed here) is based on who you think can give your children the best educational opportunities in the future.

Frank Hamet and Amy Carter

Both of these candidates are running unopposed. I have had the pleasure of serving with them over the past year and endorse both for re-election.

(You can vote for both of these candidates on the back of your ballot, in the left column, at the bottom)

Cathy Kamin

Cathy is a long time resident of Flat Rock. Her family has called Flat Rock home for generations, even before it was Flat Rock. This gives her a unique passion and perspective for our community schools.

I like that kind of knowledge and heritage on the School Board. However, what I think is the strongest testament for voting for Cathy was a phone conversation that took place several months ago.

Cathy called me very upset about a recent school board decision. We discussed the issue back and forth. Ultimately she was not happy, but she understood the process and I appreciated the passion. That’s when I asked her to consider running for the Flat Rock School Board—I’m glad she decided to run.

Cathy Kamin has my vote!

(You can vote for here on the back of your ballot, in the middle, at the top)

Sean Ryan

Sean is a friend and neighbor. Again, he is someone I encouraged to run.

Initially he was hesitant to run for the School Board because he had made a very hard decision, one he was sure would be unpopular with Flat Rock voters. His oldest son, who had gone to Flat Rock Schools since early elementary school, was entering High School and would not be going to Flat Rock High School. As parents concerned about the future opportunities of children, Sean and his wife felt Flat Rock High School did not make the grade.

I would have to agree. Let’s look at the numbers: Remember this chart (75% graduation rate), it was rated a D (still a C and not meeting Acceptable Yearly Process according to the State requirements), this year it was rated in the bottom 25 percentile of Michigan school, and we are shipping all of our College Prep students to Woodhaven High School.

I encouraged him to still run and help raise the expectations in the High School—for future High Schoolers in the community. And, so he doesn’t have to make the same hard decision for his younger son, currently attending Simpson Middle School.

It’s one thing to have pride in your community schools. It’s another to sacrifice your child’s future for that pride.

We have work to do at the High School. I’m glad Sean Ryan had the courage and commitment to help do the work.

Sean Ryan has my vote!

(You can vote for him on the back of your ballot, in the middle, at the top)

Michelle Engelbert

Michelle is the third candidate, running for the two positions. I have nothing disparaging to say about Michelle. Unfortunately, there are only two positions and three candidates.

Flat Rock Community Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

Finally, this is a critical “Yes” vote you need to make on your ballot. It is non-homestead millage assessed on Commercial Property ONLY, not your homes. It is a mandatory commitment levied on the community to get the full per pupil State funding.

If this doesn’t pass Flat Rock Community Schools will have to make an additional $1.7 million cut in the operating budget (this is equivalent to last year’s budget cut).

(You can vote “Yes” for this proposal on the back, in the right column, at the topside of your ballot.)

Hopefully, this gives you a little more insight into your voting choices. Regardless of whom you vote for—PLEASE VOTE!

If you have any questions or want to know my perspective on other candidates or ballot issues give me a call today at 734-775-4487.

Bobcean Elementary - Flat Rock, MI

It’s almost here–the First Day of School!

Parents and students alike are excited and Flat Rock Schools can wait to show you all the new and exciting things we have in store for this school year. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit with your students teachers, Principals, the Superintendent, and your School Board representatives. In addition, you will get to see all of the new construction and additions that have made Flat Rock Schools the envy of Downriver education.

Here are the dates and times:

Tuesday, August 31

Barnes Elementary (Meet in the NEW Barnes Elementary Gymnasium)

• 5:00 pm – Third Grade
• 5:30 pm – Fourth Grade
• 6:00 pm – Fifth Grade

Simpson Middle School

• Open House – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, September 1

Bobcean Elementary (Meet in the Bobcean Elementary Gymnasium)

• 5:00 pm – Kindergarten
• 5:30 pm – First Grade
• 6:00 pm – Second Grade

Flat Rock Community High School

• Open House – 7:00 pm

Flat Rock High School - Flat Rock, MI

The first day of school is quickly approaching. That always generates lots of questions and many of these questions are probably addressed in this month’s Flat Rock Community Schools’ “Your Schools & You” newsletter.

You can download and view a copy here: Download Flat Rock Schools’ Newsletter

Here are some of the important topics covered in this newsletter:

• New Principals at Flat Rock High School and Barnes Elementary
• Upcoming School Board Election (November 2, 2010) – 4 Board seats up for election
• Voters being asked to renew 18 mill, non-homestead, school tax levy
• Schedules for “Meet Your Teachers Night” at each school
• New standards based report cards being used in Fourth and Fifth Grade at Barnes
• All the Flat Rock athletic schedules

As always, if you have any questions email me or give me a call 734.775.4487

Downriver GOP Campaign Center

Last Friday I attended the grand opening of the Downriver Fix Michigan Center. The opening of this Downriver Michigan GOP campaign headquarters officially kicks off the election cycle for our area of Southeast Michigan.

For voters in Michigan it also kicks off a period of anxiety, frustration, and possibly some tinge of hope still for our great State.

Our whole nation has been in turmoil and economic distress for several years now. However, Michigan has consistently managed to top the charts on all the wrong lists–unemployment and foreclosure to name a couple important ones.

Our politicians’ decisions can be traced to the core of most of our economic woes and challenges in mounting a recovery.

I enjoyed seeing the regular MI GOP faithful at the opening of the campaign center, but to be honest it’s not enough of what Michigan needs.

We need to do things differently in this election. We need to grab the energy and enthusiasm of new people. Not the political “center,” but the core of American idealism. We need people concerned about their families, their communities, and their nation. We need people who expect their politicians to serve them and those values, not their personal aspirations (or worse, their personal paycheck).

That’s who I hope will show up to lead the Michigan GOP efforts in this critical election cycle.

These teams traveled to Michigan State this weekend to participate in the Michigan Chess Association’s 2010 Elementary/Primary Team Championships. And they came away with several medals!

It is an event I look forward to every year. Win or lose the kids have a great time competing and the parents have fun socializing throughout the day.

Here are a few snapshots from the event:

Coaches Setting the Battle Plan

Lots of Tough Competition

Where is the most stress? Coach or player?

Congratulations to all the children that participated and represented Flat Rock very well. I also want to thank Chris Stogiera and Eric Noon for volunteering a lot of time to coach our Elementary and Middle School teams.

Image via Wikipedia

There is a lot of curiosity and even fear about what might be ahead for Michigan public schools and their dramatically shrinking budgets.

I’ve been ask many questions about our local Flat Rock Community Schools plan. My general thinking is supportive of Flat Rock School Board President Norm Haase’s recent letter to the Flat Rock Community [PDF] and I added some of my own thoughts on the Flat Rock school budget yesterday.

However, I thought it might be helpful to share some of the news and resources I follow, outside of our internal Flat Rock School Board budget review process. Take a look and what I read to shape my opinion (In addition to your input, of course). If you know of others please leave a comment and reference below.

Education Websites I Frequent

• Flat Rock Community Schools
• Michigan Department of Education
• Wayne RESA
• Michigan Association of School Boards
• Education Report (Mackinac Center for Public Policy)
• SOS (Save Our Students, Schools, and State) Michigan

Recent Reports & Studies I Have Read

• Michigan Race to the Top – Executive Summary [PDF] (MDE)
• Issue Guide for Budget and Tax Reform [PDF] (SOS Michigan)
• Are Schools Underfunded? (Mackinac Center)
• Public Pension Plans Need to Reflect Reality (Mackinac Center)
• School Privatization Survey 2009 (Mackinac Center)
• Michigan School Funding Crisis (Excellent video from Washtenaw Intermediate School District)

Recent News from State & Other School Districts

• Granholm seeks to retire 46,000 to address deficit (Lansing State Journal)
• Granholm proposes retirement incentives for school, state employees (Lansing State Journal)
• Retirees from schools get boost, but others to see cuts in benefits (Lansing State Journal)
• Lansing superintendent turns to employees (Lansing State Journal)
• Governor Announces Retirement Reform for Public School Employees (MASB)
• Birch Run schools offer teacher buyouts (MLive.com)
• School district may offer teachers buyouts to cut costs (The Oakland Press)
• Portage teachers weigh buyout offers (MLive.com)
• Armada offers teacher buyouts (The Macomb Daily)
• Study finds early education saves Michigan billions (MLive.com)
• Trenton: School workers agree to pay cuts, reduced benefits (The News-Herald)
• Taylor: School district seeks state’s help in deciphering budget (The News-Herald)
• Interim superintendent chosen to fill post for now (The News-Herald)
• Melvindale: School district considering privatizing some services (The News Herald)
• Melvindale: District begins second semester with teacher cuts (The News-Herald)
• Southgate: City, schools talking about consolidating into City Hall (The News-Herald)
• Monroe reconsiders Race to Top (Monroe News)

State Legislation I’m Watching

• SB 1046 – Requiring employers to pay no more than 80% of health insurance premiums
• SB 1047 – Allowing for the creation of a state employee health plan
• SB 1073 – Reducing administrative costs to no more than 28% for school districts
• SB 1074 – Requiring mandatory competitive bidding

The information is a little overwhelming, but at the same time it is nice that we are not having to make these difficult decisions alone. I will continue to keep on top of what others are recommending and doing—making every attempt to guide us down the best long-term path for Flat Rock Community Schools.

I’m probably not enlightening anyone when I say Michigan is in unprecedented economic times. As you can see in the graph to the right our unemployment rate (compared to the US average) alone tells most of the tale.

This simple economic factor alone impacts every aspect of Michigan life—including our education system.

I get a lot more phone calls and emails these days. And I’m grateful for your trust in electing me to the School Board and your diligence in holding my feet to the fire for my promised transparency.

Having said that, I want to give you a little more information. I want to give you a better picture of the budget process the Flat Rock School Board is currently moving through; better insight into what it takes to get to a State mandated balanced budget for the 2010/2011 school year.

Michigan Public School Budget Basics

Lets begin with the fundamentals that drive a Michigan public schools’ operating budget.

First, there is revenue. Unlike many States, very little of our revenue is derived from local property taxes. This was the result of 1994 legislation that changed the way Michigan education is funded, often referenced as Prop A. The wisdom of this change is still debated today (see “Are Schools Underfunded?”).

Regardless of the politics, the facts of the matter is that nearly 83% of school funding is derived from sources directly linked to personal or discretionary income (re-reference the unemployment graph above). Here are some rough numbers that made up the 2008 School Aid State revenue, which is 78% of how Flat Community Schools funds operations (revenue sources):

• Sales and Use Tax (42%)
• Income Tax (19%)
• State Education Tax (16%)
• Lottery Profits (6%)

This closer look at where our educational dollars come from probably makes the $337 per pupil reduction in State funding less surprising.

One last note on revenue: As for all the promises of Federal money to save local schools, only 8% of our projected 2010-2011 school budget is expected to originate from Federal sources. Even President Obama’s “Race to the Top” education life preserver is only projected to contribute $119,000 to the Flat Rock schools budget (a long way from $1.15 million gap we need to close)—and that assumes Michigan qualifies for the special funding.

Now let’s move to the expense side of the budget.

Most of our expenses go directly to the core instruction of students (as it should be) in Flat Rock Community Schools, approximately 68%.

Sliced another way 81% of our budget is paid towards wages and benefits, which are primarily “locked in” expenses in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements.

With these high-level numbers you can see the challenges ahead in balancing this budget. We have been asked to balance a $17.9 million budget with a $1.15 million short-fall.

Flat Rock Community Schools Budget Process

This brings you up to speed with the budget environment and the constraints in which the the School Board is operating. Now I want to talk about our budgeting process.

I’ll start with a bit of an apology. Like I mentioned in my opening paragraph, these are “unprecedented economic times.” This the first time Flat Rock or this School Board has been handed a budget shortfall this significant. As we have embarked on this unique task we have stumbled in clearly communicating and getting every stakeholder notified. We continue to work on learning from our mistakes and improving this process.

However, here are several things we have done thus far to make sure you are part of the process and that help equip each School Board member with a deep understanding of the budget. We have over the last several weeks:

• Conducted community and school employee surveys
• Held two special open School Board work-study sessions
• Held one special closed School Board session to review collective bargaining agreements
• Each Board member has actively done personal due diligence with constituents and stakeholders

This process has given the School Board valuable insight into the most critical components of preserving Flat Community Schools high quality of education and guiding us to where we need to proceed for expense reduction.

I know this process seems slow and frustrating, but it’s important that we proceed in a prudent way. Doing this right now will make all the difference in our children’s future.

What’s Next?

I’d like to tell that we’re done, but we’re not. No final decisions have been made, but a very specific path has been laid by the School Board and communicated to the Administration.

At the next regularly scheduled School Board meeting (next Monday, 2/8 at 7:00 pm in the Community Building) we will take another step in gathering additional numbers. Specifically, we will seek to gather comparisons with our current operating methods and begin the process of working with our collective bargaining units.

What’s most important are the guiding principles that were outlined by our School Board President, Norm Haase:

“We each realize that our purpose is to educate our children. This education involves not only the core classroom subjects, but also the other activities that help them develop in the great citizens we need them to be.”

and

“[Our goal is that]…our students will not even notice that we have made cuts.”

In the end, I hope that you know we are working hard and carefully to make the best decisions for your children and the community of Flat Rock, MI.

As always, never hesitate to contact me with questions or thoughts—I represent you!

School Board

Bill Rice 567
Lena Ballard 333
Michelle Engelbert 324

Mayor

Jonathan Dropiewski 1106
William Stanifer Jr 243
Write-ins 13

City Council

Gordon Chevalier 480
Paul Gagne 562
James Martin 654
Felicia Moore 543
Lou Stoney 371
Ricky Tefend 512
Terrence Farrar (write-in) 177

Now the hard work begins. Please never hesitate to contact me email: bill@thinkrice.com or telephone: 734.775.4487.

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Don’t forget to vote. Remind your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

I want to thank all of the great supporters how have helped along the way. I also appreciate all of the wonderful people I met door-to-door and throughout the campaign process.

I hope to get your vote today and look forward to the opportunity to serve the great community of Flat Rock, MI.

If you have any last minute questions today send me an email at bill@thinkrice.com or call me at 734-775-4487.