Bill Rice's Downriver Politics, Education, and Community
The Athletic Department is pre-selling General Admission tickets ($5) for Homecoming. The price is still $5.00, but you can avoid standing in long lines and missing the kick-off by purchasing early!
Tickets will be available during lunch from Eric Painter at the High School and Todd Dishon at the Middle School.
Also, as always Student pre-sale tickets will be available at the High School for all students at a cost of $2.
Last Wednesday (9/30/2009) was a very important day in the financial future of Flat Rock Community Schools. It was “count day.” This is one of two days when students are counted within the districts to determine the allocation of state aid.
Here is how the News Herald covered the significance of this day:
Wednesday’s count is important for school districts because 75 percent of that figure is used to determine state aid, which is based on per-pupil funding. The other 25 percent comes from a count taken back in February.
The blended number is used to determine the overall count.
While all district per-pupil allotments are different, each student represents about $7,000 in state aid. A preliminary state budget, which was approved early Thursday morning, includes a cut of about $218 per student.
School districts have an opportunity to add absent students to Wednesday’s count. Students with an unexcused absence can be counted if they have attended school before the count day and must attend all classes the following 10 school days.
In some circumstances, districts have up to 30 days to add students.
The News Herald also reported: “The Flat Rock district kept within close range of the two numbers, as well. The February count was 1,902 students, and 30 more were counted Wednesday.”
This number was confirmed by Superintendent Russ Pickell in an email response to my inquiry about the results of the Flat Rock School’s count.
Michigan is still without a viable balanced budget. However, the State only shut-down briefly before a continuation was past. A mixed blessing?
This debate and process is certain to be the single biggest impact to your children’s education in the next several years. Why?
You probably already know that K-12 public education is in the cross-hairs to take a $218 per pupil cut. However, what you might not realize is that this might only be the first of many years of declining funding if systemic problems in the Michigan budget system are not addressed.
I have parsed through the news to highlight some different arguments and deeper concerns in the Michigan budget. Hopefully, this will give you a clearer insight into the various debates and where we might be headed.
Obviously, all of the local school districts are closely monitoring this budget process. Most surrounding districts are trying to assure parents of a positive outcome in the schools, but the reality is that many are in the same spot as this Crestwood Superintendent:
“We budgeted very conservatively but we cannot sustain a cut of $218 per student without deep cuts to programming mid-year. A $218 cut would reduce our revenue by approximately $750,000 and we would have to absorb it from January to June,” VanValkenburg said.
I spoke with Superintendent Russ Pickell on Friday and he assured me that Flat Rock Community Schools Administration and Board of Education did anticipate some of the worst-case scenarios. And many of the adjustments we saw at the beginning of the 2009-2010 are in anticipation of leaner funding from Lansing in the 2010 State budget.
I am still concerned about the actual cuts hitting the books. As it seems they almost assuredly will.
Preliminary committee budgets continue to contain the $218 per pupil cut to K-12 public education. This cut has been the most contentious of the proposed budget balancing cuts, but still hasn’t left any of the budget proposals to date.
The Michigan Education Association continues to fill the galleries and take their arguments to the editorial pages. Will it be enough?
Here are some of the systemic budget constraints that are being cited as challenges in resolving this budget impasse:
Many are beginning to support the argument that Lansing is simply lacking competent leadership to manage the economic crisis.
This can be a real problem if we as voters simply walk into the polls without carefully considering our decisions about our future representation.
As State lawmakers continue to hammer out budget details to balance a $2.8 billion deficit by October 1, 2009, funding for public schools is taking it on the chin. In its current proposed state the State budget will cut $218 of State funding per student.
Let’s put that into perspective…
Based on student numbers provided by Superintendent Russ Pickell at the September 14, 2009 School Board Meeting (1809 students projected, 1926 first-day attendance) that will be a reduction of $394,362-$419,868 to the Flat Rock School District budget.
Here are some statements from the Detroit Free Press:
Meanwhile, K-12 school administrators were left to wonder how they would cope with a $218 per-pupil funding cut — about $100 more than they were anticipating. Many had already closed schools, laid off staff and slashed programs before the June 30 deadline to have their budgets finalized.
“There’s no putting a happy face on this,” said Frank Ruggirello, spokesman for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.
Chippewa Valley Schools was already projecting a $4-million deficit by the end of the school year; the cuts announced Wednesday will drive it up to $7 million, said Superintendent Mark Deldin.
“It will be nearly impossible to mitigate the shortfall,” Deldin said.
The cuts approved by a House and Senate conference committee are expected to be felt deeply in K-12 schools.
And similar reactions in The Detroit News:
Don Noble, lobbyist for the Michigan Education Association, said, “The $218 (per pupil) is a big hit … it’s going to mean massive layoffs, reshuffling students, increasing class size and elimination of some programs.”
Unfortunately, this is a reality. These kind of cuts were not anticipated in any Flat Rock District budget projections.
[Update: I had a discussion with Superintendent Pickell this morning (10/2/2009). Apparently my statement: "These kind of cuts were not anticipated in any District budget projections" is NOT correct. The District and Board of Education did consider this more drastic scenario and has, prior to this school year, made some adjustments in anticipation of these cuts.
That's good news! Thanks for the call Superintendent--communication is important, accurate communication is even more important."]
We need to be talking in our Parent Groups, Ram Boosters, and other parent and community groups about what is important for our childrens’ education. We need to set priorities and think of innovative solutions then let them be known to the Board of Education and Flat Rock District administrators.
I plan on being your representative in the hot seat figuring out how to manage through this–so, tell me what you think.
Sign-up for updates via via email and join the Facebook Group.
Here are the notes I took from the Flat Rock School Board Meeting.
Superintendent Russ Pickell gave an extensive update to the Board of Education and an unusually full audience of parents and Flat Rock teachers.
Transportation for the first week of school went fairly smooth. Some of the transportation highlights:
Superintendent Pickell pro-actively addressed the question of increasing class sizes with these averages:
One of the explanations offered for the rise in class sizes was the difference between the student count projected in the January budgeting process, of 1809 and the actual first day count of 1926. The first opportunity to adjust this number is September 23, 2009–initial count day for 2009-2010 school year.
Most of the remaining discussion around class size from Superintendent Pickell and during the public question period continued to return to Proposal A and the Michigan methodology for funding public education. Superintendent Pickell urged the public to petition their State Representatives and Senators.
Despite a dramatic plunge in the graduation rate at Flat Rock High School, from 92% to 75% there was little discussion of this problem.
Superintendent Pickell discarded the measurement as immaterial based on three arguments:
I wasn’t satisfied with brushing off a State measurement so I did a little investigating. One brief phone call to CEPI revealed that most of the accountability for accurately reporting “Transfers Out & Exempt” falls to the District. If you are unhappy with the numbers, or a student doesn’t request records, or you think a student is being home schooled the documentation to appeal that number is pretty liberal.
Some examples (from a long list) of acceptable documentation:
That puts the first excuse on the District to report or at least properly appeal. I agree with Superintendent Pickell that there were a lot of auto workers losing jobs this last year, forcing them to move for work. Many of them were my neighbors. The fix is simple–create a process to document those transfers on exit.
As for number two. the definition of “Transfers Out & Exempt” is pretty clear that it does account for these scenarios:
“Total number of students who transferred out of the district, building, or public school system cohort (out of state, to non-public school, or home-school) at any time during the five-year period and did not return. Deceased students are also exempt.”
Finally, for number three I think this is why this vote for the Board of Education is so important. It is time to vote for more transparency and parent involvement in the schools. Hopefully, by putting more information in the hands of the parents we can resolve any “community issues” preventing our high school students from graduating.
Superintendent Pickell did offer several programs that are helping to target and save true “at-risk” students. Here are the highlights he presented:
The most concerning future issue of the night was Superintendent Pickell’s foreshadowing of the potential need for a “sinking fund” bond initiative. This would be a budgetary need to go to the community for more tax dollars. The projected budgetary short fall would be in the maintenance of the new technology put in place by the recent bond and to purchase new busses.
This “sinking fund” need is based on a pretty sure bet that the State reduces the current per student funding over the next several years.
Sorry it took me so long to write up these notes, but it was an information packed meeting with lots of public discussion. Hopefully this is a good demonstration of why this Board of Education election is going to be critical to our students, parents, teachers, and community.
This Saturday, September 12th is the annual Run for Ryan. It’s a great Flat Rock tradition, in memorial to Ryan Sergent. This event is a charitable event sponsored by the Flat Rock Ram Boosters and “Ryan’s Friends.” All proceeds from the race go to support Flat Rock Community Schools athletics and programs.
I’m running again this year in the 8K and would love to have your support. It is a great community gathering and fun picnic that follows at the Flat Rock Community Ball Fields.
Here are the details:
What: Run for Ryan, 1 Mile Fun Run, 8K Run and 5K Run/Walk
When: Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Race starts at the Flat Rock Community High School
If you would like a Bill Rice for Flat Rock School Board sign for the race–it makes me run faster when I see them along the race route–grab one from my wife, Heather at the start of the race. Or call me (734-775-4487) for one if you are watching from your home along the route.
Flat Rock High School Varsity Football plays their home opener tonight against Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (CC). Having dropped two on the road I am sure the Rams are fired up to show the home crowd a win!
Monroe CC is coming off a win over Riverview, another 0-2 team. They will obviously be pumped up, but this is a real chance for a turnaround win for our Rams.
I hope to see you supporting our Flat Rock Rams tonight!
What: Flat Rock High School v. Monroe CC
Where: Flat Rock High School football field
When: 9/11, Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Why I love Flat Rock? I am sure this is going to be an ongoing series because I am quite proud of our little town.
Here are a couple of things that remind me of what a great place Flat Rock, Michigan is:
My Saturn has a really bad rattle in the front end. I told my wife I should have gotten that Ford Mustang instead! Anyway, I’m not that mechanical and going for auto repairs always felt like I was going for a ride.
Not so, here in Flat Rock–it’s small town. I walk into Guardian Car Care and it’s always the same guy. If he doesn’t treat you well you don’t come back, which is a really bad thing in a small town. He always treats me well, fixes things right, and I always feel the bill is fair.
Guess what? I would never go anywhere else, I refer everyone I know, and my mother-in-law uses him exclusively too and she lives in Gibraltar.
So, I’m without a car. No big deal. Most days I ride my bike to work anyway, but after I dropped off my car I walked down the street to work.
I am in the business of Internet Marketing and Software Engineering. Much of my world is virtual, I could have set up my business anywhere. But despite my partners pushing for fancy glass buildings in Southfield or Detroit we set up shop right here in Flat Rock, MI.
Did I mention I can walk to work? I love Flat Rock!
Here is my final, “Why I love Flat Rock?” for today.
My wife Heather and I often take the kids down to Dairy Queen after dinner. A nice little bike ride works off dinner and makes you feel less guilty about that ice cream treat. Everyone is always there–friends and neighbors.
We did it just last night. One of my sons and I had the new Cookie Jar Blizzard–I would recommend it!
Why do you love Flat Rock? I look forward to reading your comments.
Sign-up for updates via via email or RSS feed.
I attended the regular City of Flat Rock Council meeting tonight. It was a pretty efficient and uneventful council meeting.
Of note to the Flat Rock Community Schools, the City Council passed its approval of the Homecoming Parade.
Otherwise, most of the evening was focused on looking for ways to reduce operational and energy expense throughout the City’s municipal facilities. Also, of interest was the setting of a Public Hearing to amend the DDA/TIFA Financing Plan.
I also had the opportunity to introduce myself to a few of the Council members I had not talked with before as well as briefly chat with Mayor Jones after the meeting.
I look forward to creating more of a collaborative partnership between the City Council and the Board of Education when I am elected.
There is much to be proud of when we talk about Flat Rock education, but something has seriously jumped the tracks at the Flat Rock High School. I was sure there was a misprint when I read the MonroeNews.com article citing Flat Rock High School’s 2008 drop-out rate:
“Flat Rock Schools saw the biggest drop in its graduation rate, moving from 93.7 percent in 2007 to 75.5 percent in 2008.”
I immediately contacted the reporter, Danielle Portteus of the Monroe News who promptly returned my email message. She pointed me to her source report: The State of Michigan 2008 Cohort 4-Year & 2007 Cohort 5-Year Graduation and Dropout Rate Reports published by Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) available at http://michigan.gov/cepi.
Even more interesting was this statement from Ms. Portteus:
“I tried a number of times to get in touch with Flat Rock to get some reasons as to why the numbers are so low or if information was left off for the district, however, no one would get back with me.”
Needless to say my next call was to the Board of Education. My hope is that there will be some explanation and corrective action plan discussed at the next Board of Education meeting on September 14th. I would encourage your attendance.
I am always available via email (bill@thinkrice.com) or phone (734-775-4487) to listen to your input or answer any questions you might have.
I look forward to serving you! [Read More…]