Gov. Snyder Proposes. Emergency Manager for RCS

I knew Pontiac had an emergency manager, but I had no idea Gov. Snyder intended to put one in charge of our local schools. 

School districts throughout the state (Flushing, Birmingham, Gross Point, Troy, Rochester, etc.) are publishing information on their websites, holding informational meetings, and asking the community to call Lansing to voice their objection to the takeover of public education in general and these bills in particular.    

From the Bloomfield School District website, this is an optional tool to help parents clarify their specific objections bill by bill.     

" I am calling to oppose (House Bill 6004 / Senate Bill 1358), the plan to allow for a statewide school district, along withHouse Bill 5923, the plan to allow unlimited new charter schools / create a “parent trigger”. I’m also opposed to Senate Bill 620, the so-called “Parent Trigger” bill which was passed by the state Senate earlier this year and is now under consderation by the House.

—Regarding (House Bill 6004 / Senate Bill 1358), I’m deeply concerned that this statewide school “district” would be run by a Governor-appointed Chancellor and would function outside the authority of not only the local school boards and superintendents, but would even bypass the State Board of Education and State school Superintendent.

I’m deeply concerned that the EAA schools would be exempt to many of the laws regarding testing requirements, standards and quality control that traditional community-governed public schools are.

I’m deeply concerned that the EAA would be allowed to seize unused school buildings—built and financed by local taxpayers—and force the sale or lease of these buildings to charter, non-public or EAA schools with no local control.

I’m deeply concerned with the idea that this new district is not limited to only the lowest-performing schools and what it might mean for my local school district if one of these EAA schools opened where I live.

—Regarding House Bill 5923, I’m deeply concerned that this would allow the EAA to create unlimited numbers and forms of charter and cyberschools with no local authority over their number or type and with little or no oversight or accountability for their quality or effectiveness.

—I’m deeply concerned that the selective enrollment (and DIS-enrollment) policies would cause greater segregation and would open up the schools to potential discrimination lawsuits.

—I’m further concerned that these privately-operated charter/online schools would siphon public funds without increasing total funding available, resulting in fewer resources available for traditional public schools.

—Regarding Senate Bill 620, already passed by Senate, I’m deeply opposed to forcing the lowest-achieving 5% of schools to be converted to private charter schools without allowing the local parent/teaching community to petition for other reform models. I’m concerned that this would be done even in cases where the school in question is already showing improvement.

I’m also highly disturbed that these bills are being rushed through the Legislature with little notice, no transparancy about their development and virtually no opportunity for public comment or discussion.

In short, I’m concerned that these bills would disenfranchise the local voters and end local control, while simultaneously turning over taxpayer-owned property and public funds to private, for-profit companies, without any oversight, accountability or quality control, while possibly bypassing the state Constitution in doing so.

Please oppose House Bills 6004, 5923 and the House version of the “Parent Trigger” bill

Voice your opposition to Governor Snyder (517) 373-3400), Senator Marleau, and Representative McMillin.  Regardless of where you live, call and voice your opposition the House Education Committee, these are the Reps who will decide whether to take these bills to the full House this week or not:

Rep. Thomas Hooker (Maj. VC) (517) 373-2277
Rep. Jon Bumstead (517) 373-7317
Rep. Hugh Crawford (517) 373-0827
Rep. Ray Franz (517) 373-0825
Rep. Kurt Heise (517) 373-3816
Rep. Aric Nesbitt (517) 373-0839
Rep. Margaret O'Brien (517) 373-1774
Rep. Amanda Price (517) 373-0838
Rep. Deb Shaughnessy (517) 373-0853
Rep. Ken Yonker (517) 373-0840

Governor Snyder is in the process of usurping our local control, disbanding our school board, and dismantling our schools with our kids in them.   He is growing government, recreating the wheel on our tax dollar, and using our kids as guinea pigs in an ill-conceived and ideologically driven plan.   For a party that alleges to support smaller government, they keep extending their reach.   Tell them no.    

Meetings have also been scheduled that will give you important information about the bills our lawmakers are trying to pass before their "lame duck" session ends in December.  Please plan to attend. 

Date: Monday, December 3, 2012

Place: Rochester High School

180 S. Livernois, Rochester 48307

Afternoon Session: 4:00 P.M.

Evening Session: 6:30 P.M.