HeadlinesA News Report for Michigan Education Leaders

July 22, 2014

Vote Yes on Proposal 1 to Protect School FundingIn the fall of 2012, the Michigan

Legislature passed a bill package to significantly cut personal property taxes on certain businesses in Michigan. As with any tax, there were governmental units that operated on the funds gener-ated by that tax stream and they could be in jeopardy of losing that revenue if Proposal 1 does not pass.

As part of the bargain in 2012, the cut in personal property tax was tied to the passage of a future ballot initiative that would guarantee the lost revenue is replaced to the local units of governments and schools. Many in Lansing thought that the votes were there to pass the bills without this tie bar and the belief by many is that the votes are still there to cut the tax without the replacement guarantee.

Proposal 1 puts that replacement revenue stream in place so future legislatures can’t mess with it. Schools in Michigan could lose $300 million if the personal property tax was reduced

without the replacement revenue that is guaranteed by Proposal 1. This would be lost through the School Aid Fund, nonhomestead tax, ISD special education and vocational millages, school debt levies and sinking funds. No matter which tax levy we are talking about, every school in Michigan will be losing some amount of money either in the per pupil amount or in a local levied tax if the personal property tax were to be reduced without replacement.

Proposal 1 creates a guaranteed revenue stream from the state use tax that will replace 100 percent of all lost revenues to local units of government and schools. This money will be distributed through a formula that will be managed by a newly created oversight group, the Local Community Stabilization Authority, made up of locally elected officials.

With any ballot issue, many questions exist beyond the simple one of whether it should be passed or not.

1. Does Proposal 1 hurt schools? No, it in fact replaces money that could be lost to schools if the Legislature reduced the personal property tax without the passage of Proposal 1.

MME Results Show Subject Proficiency Improvements, Drop in College ReadinessEarlier this month, the Michigan De-

partment of Education released the results of the Michigan Merit Exam tak-en by more than 100,000 students—mostly juniors—across the state. These assessments are used to gauge whether Michigan high school students

are meeting academic standards in reading, mathematics, science and social studies. While there was overall improvement across each subject, the college-readiness rate took a slight drop.

inside this issue:WiFi Access to Expand in Schools and Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Letter From Outgoing President Ruth Coppens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Letter to the Editor—Importance of School Board Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Headquarters Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

What’s the Big Deal About Small & Rural Schools? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

See Proposal 1 on Page 3

See MME Results on Page 6

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 20142

2014

415 W. Kalamazoo Street Lansing, MI 48933 | 1-800-292-5421 | www.setseg.org

Allen Park Public Schools

Big Rapids Public Schools

Boyne Falls Public Schools

Buchanan Community Schools

Cheboygan Area Schools

Chippewa Valley Schools

DeWitt Public Schools

East Detroit Public Schools

Eaton Rapids Public Schools

Fraser Public Schools

Gerrish-Higgins School District

Grand Ledge Public Schools

Greenville Public Schools

Grosse Pointe Public Schools

Holly Area Schools

Howell Public Schools

Imlay City Community Schools

Ithaca Public Schools

Lake Orion Community Schools

L’Anse Creuse Public Schools

Livonia Public Schools

Millington Community Schools

North Huron Schools

Ovid-Elsie Area Schools

Owosso Public Schools

Oxford Community schools

Pinckney Community Schools

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Riverview Community Schools

Rochester Community Schools

Southfield Public Schools

Springport Public Schools

Standish-Sterling Community Schools

Troy School District

Warren Consolidated Schools

Waterford School District

Wayne-Westland Community Schools

West Bloomfield School District

Whiteford Agricultural Schools

Wolverine Community Schools

Wyandotte Public Schools

Yale Public Schools

Students from the following districts were

selected to receive a SET SEG Foundation

scholarship to the Michigan Associations

of Student Councils and Honor Societies

Michigan Student Leadership Summer

Camp at Albion College.

CONGRATULATIONSSCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 20143

Legislative Update

Proposal 1 continued from Page 12. Does the proposal reduce the amount

of money the State Constitution says schools should get from the use tax? No, the constitutional guarantee stays in place, and this takes additional use tax money and puts it under the Local Community Stabilization Authority for redistribution for lost revenue.

3. Does this increase taxes on voters? No, it shifts a portion of the use tax from a state levy to local levy, but does not change the rate. In fact, there are safeguards in the

language that actually prohibit an increase in the rate.

4. Could this actually help school funding moving forward? Some argue that the personal property tax was a declining revenue stream and now the replacement revenue is tied to the use tax which is an increasing revenue stream. It really is too early to tell, but we do know schools should not lose any money.

5. Can we trust the Legislature to do what this says? By turning this over to the Local Community

Stabilization Authority you really remove the Legislature from the distribution of these funds in the future and thus take away their ability to go back on the promise. Nothing is forever, but this is much more secure than just passing a piece of legislation.

Without Proposal 1 passing, schools could lose $300 million. Vote “Yes” on Aug. 5 and keep school funding secure!

WiFi Access to Expand in Schools and LibrariesThe Federal Communications Com-

mission approved a plan earlier this month to expand WiFi access to schools and libraries, particularly target-ing rural districts, increasing support by 75 percent over current levels.

Commonly known as the E-Rate Program, the extra funding will be available starting in the 2015-2016 school year. The plan is part of a strategy by the FCC to discontinue funding support for nonbroadband communication services (telephones, pagers, etc.).

An FCC estimate projected that more than 3,800 Michigan schools could be eligible for increased funding and more than 600 libraries across the state also stand to benefit. Schools in Michigan can apply for the funding through the Technology Readiness Infrastructure Grant, a state program to help schools modernize their computer systems and prepare for testing, online learning and

electronic student data management. The program is making an effort to drive down Internet costs in Michigan by allowing districts to collaborate when purchasing Internet services and simplifying the application process for E-Rate funds.

“The digital teaching strategies that educators around the country want to employ require wireless connectivity directly to the student, allowing students to use their laptops for interactive and individualized learning. And library patrons need Wi-Fi connectivity to complete their education, jumpstart employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and apply for government services, among other things,” FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said in a statement.

While there are still funding gaps, Wheeler noted the FCC will consider added funding in a future call for public input.

The National School Boards Association welcomed the FCC’s decision. “The FCC made key revisions to its E-Rate modernization proposal,” said NSBA Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel. “Though we must solve for remaining funding gaps, NSBA is very pleased with the FCC’s commitment to advance WiFi and broadband in America’s public schools and libraries and its willingness to seek public input for future E-Rate funding.”

Gentzel also called for a sustained focus: “Absent a meaningful increase in funding, NSBA has long argued that the future of E-Rate is undermined. E-Rate’s need and demand is double its current funding cap of $2.4 billion. Clearly the program must continue to be expanded to ensure that adequate bandwidth does not stop at selective schoolhouse doors, but rather reaches every classroom and student across our great nation.”

Register at www.masb.org/annual-conference.aspx

Join Us for the 2014Annual Leadership

Conference

Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and

DeVos PlaceGrand Rapids

Nov. 6 – 9One-Stop Access to:• The most respected educational thinkers and innovators• CBA classes for school board members at all stages of board service• A variety of clinic sessions • Opportunities to connect with school-related vendors and peers

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 20144

Letter From Outgoing President Ruth Coppens

As my year as MASB president draws to a close, I have to say it has been

a fun and very rewarding term. Not only did I meet great, dedicated public school board members as I traveled, but I saw people young and “older” who always keep the best interest of our students FIRST.

We, as school board members, need to keep presenting the positives of our role first and foremost in the public arena. Most people do not realize what a school board member’s job really is; you probably didn’t either until you became one.

We educate more students in public schools than any other country in the world. We are regularly criticized for low test scores, but when you dig deep

and analyze the formulas used and compare “real” apples to “real” apples, we rate in the normal-to-high range in education systems around the world.

My focus at MASB this past year was about making all school board members as ready as possible to meet the ever-changing demands of public education. We are unique in Michigan in offering full education from birth to age 26 for those who need special help. This dedication in our state speaks to the quality of education offered.

This past year also has provided me with opportunities to meet with my counterparts from across the country. We were charged by 2013-2014 National School Boards Association President David Pickler to become an army of advocates for public education. We have accepted the challenge and are working within MASB and our member districts to advocate better and much more frequently than we have in the past. I urge all board members to step up the advocacy plan in your districts and let it be known that you are doing a good job and you are issuing a quality product from your school buildings.

I have grown to understand the importance of being a politician. Never

did I dream 37 years ago when I became a board member how political we have to be and how our political agenda at both the state and national levels work and affect our education systems.

Currently, the two most important factors in the public school system are the financial and legal areas. These areas are tied securely together and we as board members must be ever watchful if we are to keep our public school system intact.

I want to thank our Executive Director Kathy Hayes, all of the MASB staff and my fellow Board of Directors’ members for making my year as president run smoothly, and all of you who helped to make last year’s Annual Leadership Conference in Lansing the highlight of my term. Don’t forget that Incoming President Don Hubler will be hosting this year’s meeting in Grand Rapids, Nov. 6 – 9. We hope to see all of you there!

I now leave the MASB president’s chair to Don and I have great faith he will continue to “Lead MASB Strong” in the upcoming year.

Thank you,Ruth A. Coppens2013-2014 MASB President

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 2014

Win Free Admission to MASB’s 2014 Annual Leadership ConferenceWant to score FREE admission to this year’s Annual Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids?

How about bringing a fellow board member or

your superintendent?

Enter MASB’s new video contest, “Why I’m a Board Member” to win!

All submissions are due Friday, Aug. 29, 2014

It’s simple. Just create a video lasting no more than 30 seconds about why you’re a board member. Use your smartphone to film it. Then submit it to us through our Facebook page, emailing webmaster@masb.org or tweeting us @MASB using the hashtags #WhyImABoardMember and #MASBAnnual2014.

MASB staff will select the top entries and then the public will vote on the winner through a bracket-style tournament on social media.

Don’t have a smartphone? Have a friend or relative record your video for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure free admission to this year’s Annual Leadership Conference—not to mention bragging rights over fellow board members and colleagues.

Rules• Must be 30 seconds or less• Videos due by Aug. 29, 2014• Online voting begins in September• Winner announced in early October• All submissions become property of MASB• Submit via email to webmaster@masb.org, by

posting on MASB’s Facebook page or tweet @MASB with hashtags #WhyImABoardMember and #MASBAnnual2014

• No purchase or donation necessary to enter.

Why I’m A Board Member Contest

Don’t waste another second. We’ll see you in Grand Rapids, Nov. 6 – 9!

5

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 20146

The Michigan Merit Exam has three components:

• The ACT, a national college admissions exam that tests students in English, math, reading and science. Students can take an optional writing exam.

• State-developed tests in reading, writing, math, science and social

studies.

• The ACT WorkKeys exam, which tests workplace readiness skills in applied math, reading for information and locating information.

“The continued improvements over time show the value of requiring Michigan students taking rigorous coursework [Michigan Merit

Curriculum],” said State Superintendent Mike Flanagan. “Whether they learn the higher-level concepts in a traditional classroom or in a career-tech course, students are learning. We still have heavy lifting to do, particularly on further reducing the achievement gap, but these results show that we now are headed in the right direction among high school students who are graduating soon.”

Reading2011 2014

52.7% 58.7%

Writing2011 2014

46.9% 50.8%

Social Studies2011 2014

41.2% 43.9%

Mathematics2011 2014

27.3% 28.8%

Science2011 2014

25.5% 28.4%

Improvement in subject proficiency across the board over the last four years

Percentage of students considered college-ready based on ACT scores declined from

18.1% in 2013 to 17.8% in 2014

Nearly 200 schools don’t have a single student considered

college-ready by ACT’s standards

Six of the 10 schools with the highest

average ACT scores are in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties

African American student proficiency

scores during the past four years in reading

showed a six-point gain from 23.7 to 31.3%

MME results are available online available by state, district and school at www.michigan.gov/mme under “Assessment Results.”

MME Results continued from Page 1

Letter to the Editor—Importance of School Board TrainingDear Editor,

With an invested interest, I read the article in a recently published issue of Headlines about states considering mandatory board of education training (“States Across the Country are Mandating School Board Training,” June 10, 2014). I had to smile because Michigan is so far ahead of the curve regarding skill development for school board members.

Michigan was among the first states to offer board training. Although they were not mandatory, I cannot recall any class I have attended during my tenure that was not full of eager board of education members from across the state. During my own career as a board member (nine years as a member of a local board of education having served six of those years as president and currently serving as treasurer of the Berrien RESA Board of Education—a Board that I have been a member of for 21 years), I can personally attest to how vital board training has been in my career.

It has been said that, “You don’t know what you don’t know until you begin learning.” Believe me, when I was first elected to the local board (as a write-in candidate), my heart was in the right

place. However, I soon realized I had a lot to learn. From the time I first took introductory courses dealing with policy, finance, school law, curriculum, community relations and, at that time in the early 1990s, “How to Pass a Millage,” to the present 300-level courses such as Utilizing Data to Make Decisions, Ethics in Action, and Generational Diversity for School Board Members, I have found each course to be a beneficial and appreciated resource.

I am presently completing work on my Level 7 certification. Am I proud of my accomplishment? You bet I am. I am grateful that MASB chose to be a leader in the area of board training, offering quality educational opportunities to each and every board member in the state of Michigan. I delight in meeting and talking with board members from across the state (I always learn from networking). I am also pleased to see these voluntary classes continue to be full and to know that others are learning the ins and outs of public education. I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity—it’s the best education out there!

Respectfully Submitted, Linda Holt, Treasurer Berrien RESA Board of Education

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 20147

Accounting Staff Member PromotedAmy Sapienza was recently promoted to the new position of Accounting Manager. She has been with MASB since December 2009, beginning as a temporary staff person before moving into the Staff Accountant position in March 2010.

“MASB is very pleased to move Amy up into this position in recognition of

the tremendous growth she has shown over the last couple of years,” said Nan Pearson, CPA, CAE, MASB Chief Financial Officer.

Prior to her tenure with MASB, Amy held several business positions in Florida after graduating with high honors in accounting from MSU’s Broad College of Business in 2007.

Amy loves to travel, and also enjoys kayaking, hiking, disc golf and spending time with her family. She can be reached at asapienza@masb.org or 517.327.5902.

New Legal Assistant and ERiN Data Coordinator HiredAs of Sept. 2, Cassandra Jackson will join the MASB staff full-time as the Legal Assistant and ERiN Data Coordinator. She has been working part-time with the Labor Relations and Legal Services departments as an Administrative Assistant since August 2013.

Prior to her work with MASB, Cassandra has 10+ years of experience in various other legal- and education-

related roles, including positions at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Ingham Intermediate School District, Diocese of Lansing, Michigan Education Association and Dykema Gossett, PLLC.

“Cassandra has fit in well at MASB over the last year, and we really appreciate her work ethic, ability to learn and adapt quickly,” said Brad Banasik, Legal Counsel/Director of

Labor Relations & Policy. “She was a natural fit for this position.”

Cassandra can continue to be reached at cjackson@masb.org or 517.327.5931.

MASB Creates Membership Engagement Manager Position, Names Kanazeh to PostAs a membership organization, MASB is committed to working on behalf of its members and giving them the tools they need to succeed in their positions. It is our objective to focus on your needs and develop the appropriate solutions. With those goals in mind, we have created a new position entitled Membership Engagement Manager.

The Membership Engagement Manager will be committed to providing programs and services that members want to see. The position is designed to focus heavily on outreach to members to ensure that MASB is addressing your needs.

The MASB Board of Directors approved this position at its meeting in May, and

the Association is happy to announce that long-time employee Angela Kanazeh has accepted this new role.

Many of you are familiar with Angie who has been with MASB for 13 years. During that time, she managed the CBA program for 11 years, managed the Annual Leadership Conference, as well as many other conferences and events, and is currently the co-project lead for MASB’s membership website and database upgrades.

“Angie’s extensive knowledge of our organization and our members makes her the ideal candidate for this new position,” said Executive Director Kathy Hayes. “She’s committed to the goals of our Association and values providing

excellent customer service. We’re very excited to have Angie in this new role.”

Angie lives in Delta Township with her husband, Nabil, and three children—Khalil, 4, and twins Mallory and Faris, 2. She has a bachelor’s degree from Adrian College, and is currently working on her master’s in Management, Strategy and Leadership from the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. You can continue to reach Angie at akanazeh@masb.org and 517.327.5938.

Headquarters Update

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 20148

A Chance to ServeApply for a MASB Committee Position by August 31

Are you looking for a way to be more involved in your association? Do

you want to share your expertise and perspective statewide? Do you want to network and connect with your peers on important discussions that impact education? Serving on one of MASB’s committees may be the right opportu-nity for you.

MASB association committees bring together school board representatives and other members of the educational community to discuss vital issues and help shape your association’s positions and actions.

Standing committees include:

• Government Relations: This committee monitors state and

federal legislative and executive actions, and school finance pertaining to public education and school districts.

• Resolution and Bylaws: This committee develops and proposes resolutions and bylaws for consideration by the Delegate Assembly, which, upon adoption, become MASB’s official position on those issues.

• Legal Trust Fund: The Fund assists Michigan school boards involved in litigation having state-wide significance. With the help of the Legal Trust Fund, boards of education can pursue cases they might otherwise have to

settle because of the high costs of litigation.

Ad hoc committees are created as needed throughout the year and typically meet once or twice before disbanding, allowing the MASB Board to deal with specific issues with a broad range of input from members.

To apply, submit an online application, or contact Cheryl Huffman at chuffman@masb.org or 517.327.5915 with your interest by August 31.

Add Boyne to Your Summer Calendar2014 MASB Summer School for School Leaders

When: Aug. 8 – 9 Where: Boyne Highlands What: A weekend featuring CBA classes, “Go to Pros” Summit for Administrative Professionals, Board President Workshop, Advanced Workshop for Board Presidents and family fun!

Register today at www.masb.org/summerschool!

Help Needed for New Study ‘The Trust Project’The National School Public Relations

Association and Patron Insight, Inc. are looking for participants for a new study call The Trust Project. The Trust Project seeks to better understand the characteristics of trust that build successful school district/stakeholder group relationships.

The goal of the study is to have a national perspective from board members, district leaders and cabinet-level folks about the range of trust their school districts have with each key stakeholder group—from a strong, trusting relationship down to ones that may not be as trusting.

Those interested can participate by taking this 10-minute survey. All responses are confidential.

NSPRA and Patron Insight, Inc. hope to close out data collection before Labor Day, so they can spend the fall analyzing the data and preparing reports to share.

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 20149

What’s the Big Deal About Small and Rural Schools?Chances are good that you’ve been

hearing quite a bit about small and rural schools in the last few weeks. In June, districts that qualified as ‘small and rural’ received dues invoices for the association serving that very special constituency—the Michigan Small & Rural Schools Association (Member-ship dues for MSRSA are a whole $50!). More recently, school board leaders and superintendents received invitations to the annual conference jointly held by MSRSA and the Michi-gan School Equity Caucus. So, you may be asking, what’s the big deal about small and rural schools?

While every school district is unique, districts with similar characteristics benefit greatly by working together on shared issues. Small and rural schools have many similar challenges—issues like staffing, course offerings, funding and transportation. MSRSA provides the means for Michigan’s small and rural schools to work collectively on such issues and share solutions. In addition to retaining the services of one of the most experienced education lobbyists in the state to represent small and rural schools on policy issues, MSRSA provides several key opportunities for face-to-face sharing—one of which is just around the corner.

Driving Momentum, Managing Change is a day-long conference focused on the needs of small and rural schools, scheduled for Aug. 11 at Saginaw ISD’s Transition Center. The

day’s agenda is packed with timely information shared by expert speakers. Topics include:

• Planning for Lame Duck;

• The Next Iteration of Annual Evaluation;

• Managing Declining Enrollment;

• Critical HR Issues in Times of Limited Resources; and

• a thorough Legislative Update.

So, what’s the big deal? Small and rural schools are a big deal. Collectively they represent more than half of the public schools in the state and Aug. 11 is your opportunity to make sure their voice is heard. Register now at www.masb.org/srsc.aspx.

NOTICE: Resolutions, Amendments to MASB Bylaws Due July 31, 2014The MASB Bylaws provide that any resolution(s) your board wants considered at the Annual Meeting of the Delegate Assembly must be submitted in writing on or before Friday, July 31, 2014 to:

MASB Attn: Cheryl Huffman

1001 Centennial Way, Suite 400 Lansing, MI 48917-8249

In addition, any proposal for amendments to the MASB Bylaws must also be submitted to the MASB office by the same date. For more information contact Don Wotruba at dwotruba@masb.org or 517.327.5913.

What: 2014 Small & Rural Schools Conference

Where: Saginaw ISD Transitions Instructional Services Center

When: Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Who: MASB, MSRSA and School Equity Caucus

Why: Learn and share ideas specific to small and rural schools.

How: Register today at www.masb.org/srsc.aspx

Aug. 11, 20149 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Managing ChangeDriving Momentum

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 201410

Rockford Choirs Excel During ‘Eye-Opening’ European TourCan two weeks change your perspective on life?

Jed Scott believes it can.

The director of the Rockford High School Aces singing group said his students’ views on themselves, the world, and life have been changed as a result of their recent trip to perform in the World Choir games in Riga, Latvia.

“It was amazing,” Scott said of the trip.

Rockford’s choir groups captured three gold medals and a silver during the World Choir competition, while performing “some of the best music I have ever heard them make,” Scott said.

“The first half of the tour helped a lot,” Scott said. The students performed several concerts in different countries, which allowed them to become comfortable singing in a European atmosphere.

Scott said he was “pleased and overwhelmed, but not surprised,” at how well the students did during competition.

“Having spent the year with them getting them ready for it, and knowing the quality of people that they are, I wasn’t surprised,” he said. “Every performance got better and better.”

The Rockford Women’s choir captured a gold medal in the “Youth choirs of equal voices” category, while the Rockford Aces, the men’s choir, won a gold in the “Young male” category and a silver in the “Scenic Pop” division. The combined men’s and women’s groups also earned a gold in the “Mixed youth choir” category. Their total medal count made them the most decorated choir from the U.S. They competed against 460 choirs

from 73 countries, said Mandy Scott, who directs the women’s choir and the mixed group.

Source: MLive, July 18, 2014.

Midland Public School District Invites Public to ‘Talk to Us’The Midland Public School District has added a new button to its website. When residents go to www.midlandps.org and click on the “Talk to Us” button, they can ask a question, report a problem, squelch a rumor, share an idea or offer a compliment.

“We are interested in what people in our community are thinking,” said Superintendent Michael Sharrow. “This addition to our website will help residents contact us directly at their convenience. We invite school district residents to visit www.midlandps.org and click on “Talk to Us” anytime, day or night.”

Sharrow said the “Talk to Us” button is another way the Midland Public School District is working to improve communication with people in the community.

“We know that people always have questions or that they’ve heard a rumor,” Sharrow said. “Now they can get answers to their questions or check out a rumor any time.”

“We also know that people in the community see problems that we should attend to or have ideas that we should consider,” Sharrow added. “The “Talk to Us” button provides the school district with another way to listen to what people are thinking, hearing and saying. When people click on “Talk to Us”, we can take action on what they tell us.”

People who use the “Talk to Us” button can do so anonymously or they can request a response to what they have written.

“Our goal is to get back with those who contact us within 24 hours,” said Sharrow. “Because we are not sure how much traffic the new “Talk to Us” button will generate, at this point we are promising to get back with people who contact us as soon as we can. The bottom line is that if you click on “Talk to Us” and ask for a response, you will get one.”

Sharrow added, “Of course, people can still email us or call us. The “Talk to Us” button provides yet another communication option for those who prefer not to email or call.”

Source: Midland Daily News, July 18, 2014.

New Ordinance: Parents in Ypsilanti Town-ship Legally Responsible for Chronic Tru-ancy of Kids Ages 6-13In Ypsilanti Township, parents soon will be held legally responsible for their kids’ chronic truancy at the elementary and middle school ages.

At its July 15 meeting, the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved the “parental responsibility ordinance.” Under it, parents of children between six and 13 years old could be held legally responsible if their child misses 10 or more school days unexcused.

That’s a change from the previous reading of the ordinance that included parents with kids through 17 years old. Officials say not sending young children to school is a form of neglect, while older children bear some responsibility in their truancy.

Ypsilanti Community Schools recorded 40 percent of its student body and 30 percent of its elementary age students as chronically absent last year.

“They weren’t getting any explanation as to why ‘this’ child was missing huge periods of time,” Ypsilanti Township

Education News

Education News, continued on Page 11

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 201411

Education News, from Page 10

A publication of the Michigan Association of School Boards

Contact MASB800 .968 .4627 • www .masb .org 517 .327 .5900 • webmaster@masb.org

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Opinions and sponsorships expressed in Headlines don’t necessarily reflect the position of MASB.

HeadlinesA News Report for Michigan Education Leaders

Mission StatementTo provide quality educational leadership services for all Michigan boards of educa-tion, and to advocate for student achieve-ment and public education.

2013-2014 MASB Board OfficersPresident: Ruth Coppens President-Elect: Donald Hubler Vice President: Darryle Buchanan Past President: Steve Zinger

Executive Director Kathy Hayes

Director of Communications, PR and MarketingJohn Tramontana

July 25, 2014MASB Board of Directors Meeting @ MASB

Aug. 8 – 9, 2014Summer School for School Leaders

Aug. 11, 2014Small & Rural Schools Conference @ Saginaw ISD

Aug. 12, 2014CBA 260 @ Livingston ESA

Aug. 13, 2014Creating Agenda Packets With BoardBook

Sept. 13, 2014CBAs @ Fitzgerald

View Complete Calendar

Attorney Angela King said of district officials’ efforts to get parents of younger children to get kids into class.

“The goal of the ordinance is to get kids in school,” she later added. “The goal is not jail, it is not punishment, that is the last thing we want to happen. The goal is to get the children in the classroom and if that doesn’t happen we can get the judge involved to find out why.”

School and township officials say they want use every other tool possible—including working with parents, social service programs or other measures—to get parents to bring kids to school, and Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo said the YCS is coordinating a universal policy on how and when legal action would be triggered.

While the law is on the books in the township, the districts or charter schools set policy on when legal action is triggered and sent to the district court via the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.

The charges are punishable by up to a $50 fine and up to 90 days in jail, but township and school district officials have stressed that they don’t have any desire to land parents in jail and have repeatedly said such a scenario is “next to zero.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen, I really don’t. There are lots of opportunities for intervention with the parents that they didn’t have before,” Stumbo said.

Last week, the YCS School Board unanimously approved a resolution supporting the ordinance.

“Obviously the objective is to make sure kids are in school … and we understand that our community is going to be better off if kids are in school,” said YCS Board President David Bates.

“The schools are committed to exhausting every other avenue by working with parents and in those cases where they do not succeed they would like to be able to refer those cases to court,” Stumbo said. “I do think we need something for habitual offenders and this is a tool for when they outright don’t comply. The district needs another avenue.”

“I want to ensure people Ypsilanti Community Schools is not doing this because we want to put people in jail. ... We want a continuum of choices to work with parents,” Bates said. “From our standpoint we’re committed to putting into place a whole range of choices and we want to work with parents in a positive way.”

Source: MLive, July 16, 2014.

Nominations Being Accepted for 2015 Superintendent of the Year Award

Do you know an exemplary superintendent? Please consider nominating him or her for the 2015 Superintendent of the Year program, cosponsored by the Michigan Association of School Administrators and the American Association of School Administrators, along with partners VALIC and Aramark. The Superintendent of the Year Program pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our nation’s public schools.

Those wishing to nominate a Michigan superintendent can do so online at www.gomasa.org/superintendent-year; the first nomination deadline is July 30, 2014.

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • July 22, 201412

Worth Repeating

Worth Repeating doesn’t necessarily reflect the views or positions of MASB. It’s intended to spark dialogue and inform readers about what’s being said about public education around the state and nation.

State Working With Schools to Build Transparent SystemGuest Editorial From the July 18, 2014, Lansing State Journal. Written by State Superintendent Mike Flanagan.

My goal, as state superintendent, is to have a public school system in

Michigan that provides a quality educa-tion for all of our children and a trans-parent and accountable investment of our tax dollars. I want every school to be one where I would send my grand-kids.

Charter schools are public schools. The same laws and oversight need to apply to both charters and traditional school districts.

So, every public school—charter and traditional—must be totally transparent and accountable. Through our annual School Report Card and Top to Bottom list, we hold them all academically accountable, with consequences. That’s a good thing and already in place.

Schools also need to be transparent and accountable in their business dealings, lease agreements, management contracts and employment contracts. I believe that if everyone is doing the right thing, they shouldn’t have a problem with being open.

I met with the Charter School Authorizers in February, when they told me some in their group were not measuring up to the highest principles of transparency and accountability. I challenged them to root out the bad

actors in their fold and build public confidence in the administration of their schools.

Last week, I announced that I would be using the authority provided me in state law to suspend the right of some authorizers to open new charters if they were not measuring up. I listed some initial principles and best practices that all charter authorizers need to meet. Within a day, two of the largest authorizers in the state, Grand Valley State University and Central Michigan University, supported my move forward.

Later this month, I will be having meetings with authorizers and education stakeholders to discuss the rigorous principles I will use to suspend an authorizer’s future chartering capability.

There are many good charter schools in our state, which operate in the best interest of the students they serve and not in the best interest of the adults who run them. Measuring up to clear and rigorous principles of transparency, accountability and integrity will help charter schools overcome issues that have shrouded them with suspicion and contempt among some in the education community and the public—sometimes deserved, sometimes not.

In addition to my announcement last week, I was encouraged to hear state Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R–Monroe) say he is working on legislation to improve the state’s charter school law. It is time for the law to be revisited.

Let’s support what works and change what doesn’t. We look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature to improve our state law to prevent abuses, and foster wholesome and positive education options for the families and children of Michigan.

It is essential for Michigan that all students receive a quality education, regardless of where they live or where they attend school. I have advocated for more funding directed to schools and children with greater learning needs. I understand that some students need more support than others. I also understand that all public school dollars must be used effectively, efficiently and above reproach. Traditional schools and charter schools, and those who operate them, have a responsibility to keep their houses in order and be held to that commitment.