Countywide school enhancement millage fails

We are about to get an "education" in economics. Asking for higher taxes in this environment is not going to be popular.

David,
RE: "Traditional school districts." You mean "general powers school districts." And if the millage is approved the 3,500 public school academy students attending nine public school academies in Washtenaw County will not see one penny unless the current law is changed through interpretation by the Michigan Department of Education, changed by the Michigan Legislature, or overturned by a court of competent jurisdiction.

""optimistic"".....I'm not....the large number of people in the education community within the County will make the right result...a No Vote...very difficult to achieve...but...maybe with some luck..common sense will win this election...

I wouldn't rush to judge, I expect that Ann Arbor proper will provide more 'Yes' votes than the surrounding communities.

Lets see what happens.....either way, concessions will need to happen! This means sacrifices by all...School Boards, Administrators, Teachers, Families, and unfortunately kids. What we need is Lansing to figure out the answers, quickly!!

Time to update the data -- 11 precincts reporting. Saline and Chelsea have voted it down by small margins. What's interesting is the relatively low voter turnout in the City of Saline. It will come down to the margin the millage passes in Ann Arbor. Did support the millage proponents turn-out the vote in sufficient numbers to offset the out-County "no" vote trend?

The early returns are from places like Bridgewater, and everyone I know from there is more or less libertarian. So I wouldn't read too much into it just yet.

Ann Arbor Township, Saline and Chelsea are not like Bridgewater Township. Much will depend on the turnout in Ypsilanti Township which also had a 2 mill request for police. That may have attracted a large turnout, and it's unlikely voters there will approve both millage requests.

Early voting suggests this is a sad day for public education. All of you naysayers are about to get what Mr. McKinley wanted...an inferior public schooling system.
----
Will the last person out of the county please turn out the lights.

I'm fine with the public school academies not being part of the funding for this proposal. Why should they be allowed funding from this if they don't have to provide the same services/support that public school districts have to provide.

The leaders of our districts will need to make some difficult decisions, and ones that are not enviable. It's time for all of us to find solutions. The reality is.....the State of Michigan, School Administrator, Teachers (Unions), need to get back to reality when it comes to how we fund our schools both from a per pupil basis, to the salary/benefits that have been enjoyed for too long by our school systems.

Chris, kids are kids are kids no matter what school they attend. In my eyes they are all worthy of my tax dollars, not just a select few.

23 precincts reporting --- some are in City of Ann Arbor. Millage is passing in the Ann Arbor precincts, but by relatively small margins. If the current trend holds for the remainder of Ann Arbor precincts, it looks like the millage is in jeopardy.

SpamBot1 -

Sorry you feel this way.

There is literally millions in overhead that can come out of the schools without impacting the classrooms at all. I have to work out of state (no jobs here) and so get to follow many other states in their local papers, in almost all the school districts have consolidated many things they do not do well - payroll, HR, procurement, grant writing, cleaning and maintenance, bus services, and more. They also share in course development and teacher training.

All of this has made the schools more efficient and cut the cost of overhead. While I see a small amount of this in the schools here, they have a long way to go to reach the levels in Virginia, and elsewhere.

We don't have to "hurt the children" - We don't have to scare the voters. We need to get the schools to get out of what they don't do well and pay too much for and get them to focus on the classroom.

Yes, the $500 a student cut will hurt, but if it all comes out of the $4000 per student overhead and/or the non-competitive benefit packages - we can offer the teachers in the classroom their current benefits and student loads and save money.

We need to work together to make this work. There are a lot of older folks in the county who can not sell their homes and move (housing prices are down too much) and they are not getting any cost of living increase from Social Security this year - there was no inflation. We all need to dig in and help make the schools more efficient and help them spend money more wisely.

If they do dig in, by next fall, everyone will be ready to dig in and help them, and with the current State Government we will have to.

If we give them the money now, and they don't have to get in shape, next years cuts are going to be brutal.

I don't like to vote down a school millage, but this one was one too far.

And I will leave the lights on for you when you come back. I have been out there, the grass is not greener on the other side.

Chris,
To which services are you referring? Public school academies are public schools and they must provide the same services general powers school districts provide.

Glad there is some common sense out there. Taxing hardworking people to support an increasingly expensive government system is NOT the answer. It's simple -- Cut Spending (like the rest of us).

Maybe there's still hope for this country; otherwise we're following in Japan's footsteps, which has a national debt that's about 190% of it's GDP.

Check out the low voter turnouts in many of the Ann Arbor precincts reporting so far. This is further indication the millage is in trouble.

http://electionresults.ewashtenaw.org/nov2009/precinctcount.html

If Ann Arbor "proper" voters want a millage increase let them the vote one in on their own or merely make voluntary contributions. Don't ask us "outcounty" people to fund your debacles.

One of you put your "NO on the millage" literature in my child's trick or treat bag. It is a TRICK, and there is no treat in it for anyone.

Seems far too early to tell. The heavy nos are from outlying areas with more complete results.

Millage opponents have to be pleased at this point. The low voter turnout in the City of Ann Arbor indicates the millage is in jeopardy, especially if the much higher voter turnout percentages are maintained in the larger population townships: Pittsfield, Scio and Ypsilanti.

Tom Bower: I have seen your multiple postings on various articles on this blog. Often you cite various statistics claiming that charter schools outperform public schools and with less money.

Here is some data from www.publicharters.org: (2007-2008 data; latest data reported)

Michigan Charter Schools:
Schools making AYP 76.7%
Schools not making AYP 23.3%
Average ACT Score: 15.6

Michigan Public Schools:
Schools making AYP 79.8%
Schools not making AYP 20.2%
Average ACT Score: 18.8

Please tell me how charter schools are outperforming public schools when the data clearly shows they are not. The ACT scores are over 3 points lower!

Given the importance of this issue, the voter turnout percentage is disappointingly low. At this point, about two-thirds of registered voters sat this one out.

Thanks for destroying actual education in schools, everyone. I was outside the entrance of Pioneer High School today (I'm a student there) asking people to vote yes for this, but I guess even actual students weren't enough to convince the minds of some people that this proposal determines whether or not students will actually get a quality education or just get taught basic math, reading/writing, and science, and have no opportunity to practice their creativity at all in school because of the eradication of the arts and music departments.

BTW, did you know the Pioneer Symphony Band is going on an international tour to China this year? Yeah, this'll probably be the last tour the band program EVER does. In case you didn't know we played at Carnegie Hall two years ago. Last time anything like that'll ever happen, all because of the people who voted no.

Again, thanks for destroying what I dedicate my life to.

Relax TMad40blue,

Your education won't be lost. This will all get figured out in the coming weeks/months. Lansing has no choice!!

so sorry tmad40blue .write the governor ,fund raiser .dont give up.find other ways to make your dreams come true.i voted no ,i had too

WLParent,
Here's the URL to public school academy data I've been posting:
Source: Michigan Association of Public School Academies
http://www.charterschools.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=44

Note the following:
• 62% of the state's charter students are minorities, one of the highest ratios in the country and significantly above the state average of 26 percent.

• About 58% of Michigan charter students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch.

• Charter schools receive a per-pupil funding of about $7,888. This is $1,198 less per student than all traditional schools statewide, and $2,576 less per student than the traditional district where the charter school is located.

These three factors alone may account for the achievement gaps noted in your data.

I'm curious about Milan Township precinct, which according to the Wash. Co. website. is in Monroe County. Anyone know why they voted on this? I'm thinking there are properties that fall on both sides of the county line. Just wondering.

tmad40blue,
I will gladly give money directly to you and/or your program to advance your goals and aspirations. I support every student in their drive for excellence. I will not not give to a bloated system/administration willingly. You are being screwed by the system; not the people.

tmad, if this is your whole life, maybe you should raise money yourself rather than expect everyone else to vote for increased taxes.

Still far too early. Ypsilanti city is now in - pretty close to 50/50, a swing of less than 100 votes more for the no column.

Looks like Ann Arbor voters stayed away in droves. Even in A2 precincts that approved the millage, the margins were razor thin. The out-county voter turnout is much higher percentages and the margins are much higher for the "No" votes. Unless Pittsfield Township and Ypsilanti Township run counter to current voting trends, it appears the millage will be defeated.

if this passes.ill probably give my home back to the bank.ill leave Michigan.taxes too high.so much welfare.i wont work my life away to give it away.

@a2girl, some school districts cross county boundaries, so the Washtenaw ISD race overlaps into bits of Jackson, Monroe, and Wayne counties, but excludes the pieces of Salem and Northfield townships that are part of the South Lyon school district.

The map:

http://www.wash.k12.mi.us/images/districtmap.pdf

tmad40blue: You are overreacting, understandably so. Ann Arborites are obviously willing to pony up. Like everyone else in the current economy, you will have to work harder. Hold some fundraisers. Look at it this way, you and your buddies can come up with a plan, turn it into an independent study, and put it on your resume. Colleges love this stuff.

tmad40blue
You are learning an important lesson in economics - expenditures cannot exceed revenues. Your "doomsday" comments are exactly why the scare tactics of the YES vote turned people off. You're also admitting defeat a little early - the votes aren't all in. You'll be amazed at who will step up and the funding problems that will be solved if the vote goes NO.

Edward, thanks for the info. Makes sense.

"If Ann Arbor "proper" voters want a millage increase let them the vote one in on their own or merely make voluntary contributions. Don't ask us "outcounty" people to fund your debacles."

Last time I checked, Ann Arbor "proper" would donate to "outcounty" if this proposal is passed. Am I missing something?

just so NO.taxes ,drugs .its common sense .

Wow, it saddens me to see only .99% (less than 1%) of voters turned out in one of the Ann Arbor districts. It saddens me not because of the outcome of the vote, but how many people did not participate in the process. This lack of involvement is one of the reasons why we are voting on this issue to begin with! Come on people! A sad day indeed.

WLParent,
You are correct. The lack of A2 voter turnout appears to have doomed this millage. Guess A2 voters didn't want to "donate" about $4 million to the "other" districts. What's amazing is that "recipient" districts like Ypsilanti, Manchester,Saline, Milan, Willow Run, and Chelsea that stood to receive more than $1.00 for every dollar in taxes they sent to WISD voted this down. Making 15-20% return on one's investment is a no brainer.

tmad40blue,
Try this:
Dear taxpayer,
Thank you for providing a public school system for me to attend in the first place. In so many countries, education is reserved for only the wealthiest people in society, and in many places public education isn't even available. Thank you for all of the teachers, buildings, text books and supplies, as well as the educational enrichment opportunities you provide. I look forward to the day when I too can become a taxpayer, pay for young people in my community to attend school, and in some small way extend to others the favor that has been granted to me.

Your friend,
tmad40blue

Tom,
Maybe the "no brainer" is that this is only a band-aid fix to appease the status quo. I applaud those people who realize the only change will come with fundamental reform in Lansing. I hope everyone in the state takes notice of this millage and its (hopefully) defeat.

Tom - I agree! I really thought districts like Manchester, Milan, and my own Whitmore Lake would pass the millage considering we are getting more bang for our buck! And, if you look at those districts, they had a pretty good turn out for an odd-year election. Much, much better than Ann Arbor. Once again, I am blown away with the LOW voting percentages. I just cannot imagine that with something this important on the ballot (important whether you were for or against) people didn't turn out to vote.

@WLParent, the very low voter turnout in some Ann Arbor precincts is notable but not surprising; the heavily student districts often have this kind of results.

To take one example, Ann Arbor Ward 1, Precinct 3 had a 2.28% voter turnout, or 34 voters. In the May 2007 school board election, the voter turnout was even lower, with only 3 votes cast for an 0.20% turnout. For the general election, though, the voter turnout was 43% or 792 votes.

http://electionresults.ewashtenaw.org/may2007/precinctreport5.html

http://electionresults.ewashtenaw.org/nov2008/precinctreport6.html

To everybody who replied to my comment, thank you for your comments. If you do plan on donating money to the arts programs in school districts, please do so very soon. The AAPS district has said that they're laying off 200 teachers, which, ironically (or maybe not), is the exact number of teachers in the district music department. One of these teachers happens to be my own mother, whose income and employment my father and I depend on to survive.

So yeah, I'm overreacting. And I think I have a right to.

Jimmy Olsen.
Yes. And I hope WISD and others will work to change the law that currently denies public school academy students from benefiting from a regional enhancement millage. Looks like this millage request could have used the support of the parents of the the 3,500 public school academy students(perhaps 7,200 votes?) who attend the nine public school academies in Washtenaw County.

@YpsiLivin: Having been to Ghana, I know all about education in so-called "third world" countries. I'm not talking about that type of education, I'm talking about what I have here in Ann Arbor.

Ypsi Township is starting to come in, and the millage is losing big. Stick a fork in it--it's finished. A2Girl: I think the precincts outside the county get to vote because they are part of the WISD. School district boundaries do not necessarily follow city or county lines. I don't know for sure, however.

Ypsilanti Township precincts are beginning to report and the voting trend is holding.

Apparently, the outlying areas do not share the big-spending socialist attitude of the majority of City of Ann Arbor residents.

Or, perhaps the greater proportion of salaries are not tied to taxation (city, county, State and Federal wotrkers with University employees thrown in).

When people are having a hard time making ends meet, it is not a good idea to raise their taxes. try spending what we have in a more efficient manner first.

As for the poster who enjoys the trips to China, et. al. I am happy that you were able to have those experiences. Many of the taxpayers in the county have not been able to afford travel to places like China. Indeed, many have lost their jobs and are having difficulty paying the house payment and putting food on the table. They need to cut everything down to bare necessity. The government needs to do the same. I would suggest that you consider a fund-raising drive where individuals that have the money and support your trips can make a voluntary contribution.

Watching results on TV, virtually every other election is 100% counted. What's up Washtenaw ??

@Jimmy Olsen,

The web page that WXYZ Detroit has up on the Washtenaw votes is wrong, as of this writing; it says

Washtenaw Millage Proposal
Yes 5,078 42%
No 6,989 58%
100% reporting

That's known to be wrong, so I would reserve judgment on any other numbers from that station for this area.

http://www.wxyz.com/content/news/2009vote/nov09-washtenaw.aspx

Hold on. There are eight unreported A2 precincts. And, the turnout levels in the several Ypsilanti Township precincts reported so far are in the low teens. Pittsfield Township is yet to report. Things could change.

WISD is not wanting the inevitable to show up.....overwheliming NO Vote!

Here's the source for accurate information:
http://electionresults.ewashtenaw.org/nov2009/canvassreport30.html

@Edward, thanks for the clarification on the low turnout rates; that makes sense. But, there are 20 precincts so far with less than 15% turnout. I know historically odd-year elections have a poor turnout, but I thought with the school millage we would see a better turnout. I think the 20-30% sound about right for the rest.

watching channel 4 - Detroit is even 100% counted.

Even as tight knit of a community that Chelsea is..or claims to be, this thing was voted down. If it didn't go through in Chelsea, it doesn't have much life.

Current Vote:
WISD PROPOSAL I

Yes 14484 40.45%
No 21320 59.55%

Wonder why it's taking so long to report the remaining A2 precincts? Cook County scenario?

Looks like Ypsi is all in now.

We're waiting for Pittsfield Township and a few Ann Arbor, plus some scattered here and there. Pretty close to being done.

Also missing - Salem, Scio, and York Townships.

Ypsi Township came in heavily against the proposal.

So far, the only really strong support has come from Burns Park and the Old West Side. Some wealthy areas I thought would provide 75/25 margins were only barely in favor.

It's not looking good for the millage, though. Don't see Pittsfield being much more than 50/50. Too much to make up.

Really low turnout in Ypsilanti Township. No precinct higher than 16 percent. Astounding. Ypsilanti, Lincoln and Willow Run schools stood to gain a lot from this millage. Ypsilanti Township voters also defeated the 2 mill proposal for police.

I just want to say to all of you who voted against the millage, thanks for screwing the students (including me) over. I hope your happy. Because of you people, students will have fewer opportunities. Because of you people, funding for the arts and extracurricular activities will be cut. I have one question for all of those who voted no. How can you sleep at night, knowing what you're idiotic decision will cause?

Don,
Why do you assume arts and extracurricular activities will be cut ? More rumor than truth. Wait and see what the answers will be. I sleep well at night, there are many things you can't control.

Oh, Don. Focus on the basics. Your and you're, for example. Worry about the extracurriculars when you've got that down.

People give a lot to the schools. I think this was just a case where the schools asked for too much at the wrong time.

Don -

Some families are struggling to stay in their homes or put food on their table. Others have lost jobs and are trying to make due on unemployment.

In a different year, where everyone was employed and wages were rising, this would be an easy win. Unfortunately it is not that year.

I am sorry you feel that way. I am also sorry that the schools will take it out on the students, instead of taking it out on the overhead that is away from the classroom.

I have to ask you a question - what is more important? Food and clothes or varsity sports and jewelry class? Because for many families in the county that is their choice.

Some day you will have to pay taxes and make ends meet and you will also have to deal with these choices. Though I hope the economy is strong enough that you never have to struggle.

When your kids lose sports, thank a republican.

When your kid is in a class with 40 kids, thank a republican.

When your kids can't take an instrument, thank a republican.

When the good teachers leave, thank a republican.

When your local school closes, thank a republican.

When your school district comes under state control and all services are reduced to bare minimum, thank a republican.

And thank McKinley, too.

Don,

Were still up. It's not about screwing the kids! We need to get our expenses in line with revenues, period. While educating our childrend should not be run like a business, it has to be. We have allowed it to become this way. If there was better accountability in how tax dollars are spent for education we wouldn't be in this position. Lets all find a way to better fund our childrens education that allows us to exceed expectations and helps to create the leaders of tomorrow. It's time to tighten our financial belts and, if we as educators want our children to learn, we will find ways to educate them with the highest standard possible.....within our means.

David:
What's up with the following precincts that have not reported:
City of Ann Arbor, Ward 1, Precincts 5 & 6
City of Ann Arbor, Ward 2, Precinct 2
City of Ann Arbor, Ward 2, Precinct 5
City of Ann Arbor, Ward 3, Precinct 5
City of Ann Arbor, Ward 4, Precinct 3
City of Ann Arbor, Ward 5, Precincts 4 & 5
City of Ann Arbor, Ward 5, Precinct 10

To those of you who believe fund raising will be the answer to many of these cuts, please come visit my school with your money! My daughter's group is having a difficult time in WL trying to raise $700 to send 10 students to a leadership convention. (The school does not pay for it.) They have done many community fund raising efforts, and have raised $150. This includes many Saturdays of working at community-sponsored events. People are just not donating in times like this! So, if you would like to donate money to these worthy causes, then please feel free to contact me! Or, I know many teachers and groups in Whitmore Lake that would be more than willing to accept your donations! Unfortunately, our community is not made up of wealthy parents who are willing to donate thousands of dollars to our school system.

Just asked Ryan Stanton, our city hall reporter about that. He said the results should be done in city hall, but haven't yet made it over to the county.

I encourage all who voted yes to put their money where their mouth is and donate same about money as the would have paid with this new tax to their home school district.

And why should we as taxpayer pay for extracurricular activities? I am all for supporting the classic subject.

WL Parent, sounds like that's 10 sets of parents refusing to spend $70 on their kids. That's not what these millages are about.

More than the precincts not reporting, is there any idea of how many absentee ballots are still out there in Ann Arbor. Those categories are still at 0 on the list, and an overwhelming yes there is the only way this will even be close.

Alan Benard,
You mean "Republican"? Wow, I never knew Washtenaw County was such a hot bed of Republican strength. Maybe that's why our state house reps are all Democrats?

I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.....You can keep the "CHANGE!" No way was this going to pass!!

Hey Alan.

You just might want to thank a democrat for haveing high taxes to start with. Have to pay for all them people on welfare some how.

David,
Has WISD superintendent William Miller issued any statement? Has he conceded?

Hey DonBee how do you think the school will be taking these things away from the students. Teachers that do not teach Math, Science, Soc. Studies or English will get fired. Coaches will get fired. Bus drivers, custodians, lunch workers will now be privatized. You will have a school with 40-50 students per class and then you will start complain when ACT test score go down. How are you going to get new people to move to your town? New people bring money to your town and school. Good luck.

Alan -

Given that no Republican dares even run in much of the county, you can not blame the Republicans for the vote. Only the voters. Superior Township has not had a Republican run for township office in more than a decade. The last one that did, did not get 10% of the vote, yet the Township voted heavily NO.

It is not the Republicans that sent this down or McKinley, it is the people who did not open the school books, did not look at trimming overhead (remember the busing study that showed a $1 Million dollar savings that AAPS paid $150k for then shelved?)

The realistic answer is not that Republicans voted this down, but that the schools did not do a good job of showing how they were being responsible with their money and what they were going to do.

As I have said earlier, next year will be way tougher - the state will have to cut the base by 15 to 20 percent unless a miracle happens in the State. The schools need to start working with the community to show how they are trimming the waste out of the overhead (not the classrooms - as they are all threatening to do now).

If they can do this and work together to consolidate services, then next fall the voters will support this sort of millage. We have all had to tighten our belt and they have not.

I have heard the 'We have cut X number of millions out of our budgets, but when you do the math the numbers do not hold water (e.g. AAPS telling people they cut 16 million while the spending rose from 161 to 191 million). They need to get real with their numbers and implement the cost saving recommendations they have already paid for.

The WISD needs to consolidate far more services for all the districts, they do not have the purchasing power individually to get good pricing. They need to share course development.

I put up 10 ways AAPS could save money in overhead more than a week ago and only one was discussed. The pro millage folks fell back on "If you do not pass the millage we will cut student services and classes"

Let us all work together, please to fix the overhead issues - $4,000+ per student for non-classroom overhead is way, way too much. Lets fix the MESSA extra costs for benefits for teachers - but let us do it carefully to not cut the actual benefits for teachers.

Maybe having more than 18 principals in the high schools in AAPS is too many (OBTW - each comes with a support staff). Let the schools open the books and show us how they spend the money they get and have the experts in the community in procurement and other areas help fix the budget, instead of just going off in a huff and axing teachers.

Next year is going to be very painful, let us work together now, with the small reduction that we have had to reform what we have at the local level.

No word from Bill Miller.

when your school is fiscally sound- thank a republican
when parents are in control of their kids- thank a republican
when you are free- thank a republican
when your children embrace the american spirit - thank a republican
Whe you speak french and trade in euros- thank a democrat

It is disappointing to see so many ill informed comments about public school academies or charter schools. Unlike private schools, charter schools are held to the same benchmarks as the traditional public schools, but they are given latitude as to how they will get there. With my oldest now in a traditional public high school, I have to say I am delighted with how well his K-8 charter school prepared him. And his MEAP scores were nothing to write home about, but he is very successful in highschool thus far... Before you write off this form of education, perhaps you should look more carefully. Many charter schools are doing amazing things with notably less funding per pupil! hmmmmmmmm

Proud of Hamburg Township's turnout of more than 100%. We in Livingston County rep-re-sent.

(yes, there's a tiny bit of Hamburg Township across the county line that goes to Washtenaw schools).

Johnny Spirit,

Not knowing what district your from but, if your Bus Driver, Custodians, and Lunch Worker are unionized with Full Health Benefits and pensions it's time to privatize, and reduce costs. The other option in fair negotiations with each department. If they can do it for less than an outside company and it saves the district money, then stay with it. Otherwise, look at the Auto Industry....fat and happy doesn't work any longer.

Hey Johnny -

Read my posts over the last two weeks on the issue.

I for one put forward ideas on how to absorb the cuts without hitting the classroom.

Only one was discussed on the boards here. I welcome the active discussion of how to absorb this loss of funding. some of my ideas are from minutes of various board meetings.

@macrabe sunset, you obviously didn't read my entire post. Never once did I ever say that the millage should pay for this. The school has NEVER paid for it. I said this in reponse to a few bloggers on this site whose answers to cuts were "fund raising". My point I was making is that parents don't have the money to pay for these activities, AND our community doesn't have the money to donate either. Therefore, fundraising is never going to replace funds that are needed. I was just using my experience as an example - I 100% do not believe the schools should pay for these trips AND I would NEVER have counted on millage money to fund it either. Even if the millage would have passed, no money would have went towards funding this.

Pittsfield almost all in, with a slight lean on the no vote. Unless there's a miracle in the Ann Arbor absentees, this one is completely done.

I voted NO. I just lost my job of almost 21 years. My son attends WTMC and would not see a penny of this. Oh, BTW, we will be okay because everything we own is paid for, including the house. Maybe our government and schools should try spending less.

WLParent, if my kid was invited to an activity that I felt would have an important effect on his life, I would scrimp for a long time to come up with the $70. Somehow. I'd figure it out.

Obviously, these parents do not feel the same way. I wouldn't lose sleep over it. They feel this activity isn't that important - and that's their choice.

Realistic Citizen, Yup bring in strangers to be next to your son or daughter all day at school, drive them home, serve them lunch. These people have no background checks or police finger print checks like all school districts mandate. I'm just saying we may want to think what we might get into. The grass may not be greener on the other side.

Now I wonder if anyone in A2 Government is thinking about a payroll tax? They should of put it to vote with this instead of wasting the money on another election. Oh I forgot A2 has plenty of money just ask the officials.

Jonny -

Sorry -

But if you check the state regulations, even private contractors have to do the background checks on employees that work with children. The rules apply regardless of the employer.

OBTW- In an old Ann Arbor News article there were a number of people working directly for the district that had issues on their background checks but they were working with children.

Johnny,

Sure they will. They will have to be employed and bidded through the WISD which has all of the requirements for employement. It's all about education my friend.

David,
Time to update your headline...Countywide millage defeated.

If you dive into the numbers for the city AA it looks as if the millage passed. Problem was that it didn't carry enough to out vote the remaining cities,townships, and villages throughout the county.

Yep. Defeated by an enormous margin. No miracles left. Scio Township isn't going to help.

@macrabe I totally agree with you that some parents will find a way, me included. But, once again, the point of my post wasn't that the group couldn't get donations for the trip (just an example), my point was that there is just NO money out there. Once upon a time, groups could count on the community to support fund raisers, but that money is no longer there. Just like many felt that there was no money to give for a millage, there is no money to give to kids for fund raising either.

should you be able to vote on things like millages if you don't own property??

David,
Has anyone from A2.com attempted to contact WISD superintendent William Miller to see if he has a statement to make?

WLParent,
Great time to teach the children of today that once upon a time we, as children, had to work and scrape to get things out of life. I'm not saying that your kids are working hard to fund their trip but, many of today's kids don't know what a down economy is. They have never seen their parents "tighten the belt". It's time that some of the kids of this generation understand that $50 bills don't grow on trees. Understanding that Mom and Dad, and all Mom's and Dad's and business's like our schools need work within a budget.

a2golfergun -

This was a change our founding fathers made, to try and make all people equal, in the old countries only land owners and guild masters could vote.

It is part of what it takes to make our "All men created equal" work.

David,
When does WISD and the ten general powers school districts plan to put another regional enhancement tax before voters?

For those of you who have voiced your opinions for the past few weeks on A2.com, please continue to have a voice! We all need to work together to come up with a solution to the problems in education - even if we cannot agree on what the "problems" are. I do know that for anyone who lives in Whitmore Lake, they have a survey on their home page (www.wlps.net) where they are soliciting budget ideas or suggestions from the community and parents. Speak up!

@Macabre Sunset,

I wrote to ask county clerk Larry Kestenbaum about the Hamburg numbers, and he wrote back "We don't have good reg voter numbers in the scraps of WISD outside Washtenaw County. But vote counts should be exact."

@DonBee and others who have contributed thoughtful commentary that transcends name-calling, labels, and fear-mongering to focus on actual issues and a constructive way forward: I sincerely hope you will keep speaking up on behalf of accountability and creative solutions that benefit both sides of the debate. I have appreciated the discussion on this site but continue to be surprised at the myopic, black and white way in which so many posters frame its terms.
.
And, for what it's worth, I am far from a gun-totin', change-hatin' Republican (with all due respect to a2golfergun)! ;-) I am instead a downtown A2 progressive who loves this community but recognizes the need - and opportunity - to do things differently going forward.

As we can all finds things to disagree on, it's now time for us to find solutions to our school issues. Difficult times are ahead and we need to work together to help our schools find answers. There will need to be give and take by all parts but, I'm sure that if "common sense" prevails solutions can be found. Realism needs to be placed at the forefront of our solutions. Answers cannot be found through politicing our way through. Remember the kids of our schools our are future. Lets do the right thing a build solutions together. Good night my fellow Americans. We live in the Greatest Country in the World. Remember it.

Based on A2 precincts reporting so far:
Yes: 9483 55.85%
No: 7495 44.15%

Ann Arbor was the only entity supporting the tax. Every other group was against it.

Ann Arbor - 55.9% in favor, +1,988 votes

Ypsilanti Township - 33.5% in favor, -1,852 votes
York Township - 29.9%, -692
Augusta Township - 19.7% -690
Superior Township - 29.2%, -670
Webster Township - 31.0%, -639
Lodi Township - 30.1%, -630
Northfield Township - 23.1%, -629
Manchester Township - 26.9%, -480
Saline, 38.6%, -464
Milan, 28.2%, -434
Dexter Township, 34.9%, -433
Pittsfield Township, 45.1%, -418

120 in
24046 yes
32340 no

Not enough voters left to tip the balance.

Lets all dig in and help fix this before next year and the budget cuts from the state.

As I started the thread with, "We are about to get an "education" in economics. Asking for higher taxes in this environment is not going to be popular." I see that with 96 percent reporting, we can say "class dismissed." Good Night all and lets look for some cost savings to make the money we have go farther. Classes won't be dismissed, but perhaps some administrative overhead can be....

WISD superintendent William Miller and the ten general powers school districts superintendents...
Hope you will engage the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Legislature in efforts to change the current law so that in the future public school academy students will be able to receive regional enhancement tax money. As you know it takes a millage to educate our children, and our children include the 3,500 (and growing) students currently attending nine public school academies in Washtenaw County. The next time you place a regional enhancement millage before voters it might be wise to have the support of the parents of public school academy students. Diluting $30 million by an additional 3,500 students wouldn't impose a great hardship on the ten general powers school districts. Treating these students as first-class citizens is the right thing to do and is consistent with their fundamental equal protection rights.

There ate 200 music teachers in the A2 public schools? That can't be right.

Edward. Looking at the various Livingston County sites - the registered voters and ballot totals are inaccurate. The vote totals are accurate.

I believe a piece of Precinct 4 in Hamburg Township could vote on this. In that precinct, 794 of 1941 registered voters turned out. But only 311 ballots were cast on the WISD issue. No idea why it would be a split precinct, thought everyone from the same precinct had the same ballot. But it's unlikely more than half the people bothering to turn out would not vote on this issue.

Alan, ENOUGH ALREADY!

"When your kids lose sports...when your kid is in a class with 40 kids...When your kids can't take an instrument....When the good teachers leave...When your local school closes.....When your school district comes under state control and all services are reduced to bare minimum"

Now is the time to hold the AAPS accountable for every decision they make. They claim that they will "do no harm", and "keep the cuts away from the classroom". Let's see if they will do that. For every administrator they cut, that's 2-3 teachers they save. So instead of 200 teachers, let's see 65 administrators go. 65 out of the 700 AAPS employ is only 10%. Sounds realistic to me.

Let's hope the AAPS doesn't use the next 6 months to make the classrooms, the children, and the parents so miserable that when they bring back the millage in May, they convince people to vote for it. Let's hope the AAPS does the honorable thing!

WISD PROPOSAL I 98% return

Yes 24114 42.67%
No 32402 57.33%

Someone said we're about to get an education in economics.
An education in politics is more like it.
The education in economics will hit the no voters when teachers lose their jobs.
The schools aren't the ones to grind on expenses right now. They aren't the ones using bail out dollars to throw parties and hand out bonuses are they.

To everyone who voted No, let me thank you ahead of time for the energy I know you'll be transferring over to dedicating your time and efforts toward our schools.

tmad40blue,
"To everybody who replied to my comment, thank you for your comments. If you do plan on donating money to the arts programs in school districts, please do so very soon." This looks like a great start to a fantastic fundraising opportunity. You appear to be a well educated passionate person who cares a great deal about opportunities that you currently have and you want to keep them. Back in the 80's I attended a school that cut several programs, and as students, we fought back by raising the money needed to support those programs. Field trips were out of the question let alone trips half way around the world. I know it feels painful now, but when you put yourself into this type of project and win, the accomplishment will not be just one of talent in music, but one that say's "I worked hard to make this happen, and I am going to be the best and do my best because I earned it". Congratulations on taking that first step and keep up the good work. With your determination you can move mountains.

sh1
I dedicated 14 years of my life to A2 public schools and still had to pay thousands of dollars for my children to finally get the education they deserved. I gave ann arbor public schools every opportunity with both of my children and their buildings, support staff and administrators let them down every time. Volunteering while great, is not the only answer here. Cut the fat, not the teachers that care! I have a grandson now and his parents want him to attend ann arbor public schools as well. I am not a wealthy person, but I save every penny so that I will be able to afford to pay for the private tutoring and lessons, possibly private schools for him as well when this systems begins to fail him too.

Close Kathy Griswold's Skyline High. We can't afford it.

Eliminate football, baseball, wrestling and basketball. We can't afford it.

And congrats to all - let's all eliminate any health benefits - it's only fair, isn't it?

The difference between AA voters and everyone else in the county makes it pretty clear there is a clash of values in this county. The non-AAites don't want to fund their children's public education, even at $1.35 on the dollar. Point taken.


Pro-education AA seems to have 3 options going forward: 1) work to free ourselves from our ties to the rest of the county, 2) fund AA schools privately (via AA Education Foundation) or 3) let the public schools be run into the dirt and move our good students to private schools.

Am I the only one that thinks it is strange that someone would spend $75k to save a few hundred in taxes? (not knowing the value of his home of course). I wonder how many district budget meetings he's been involved with?

As much as I dislike Mr. Berriz, the real think that astounds me is that the rest of the districts in the county, the ones that received MORE than they were putting in, were so opposed to it! I vote to free A2 from depending on the rest of the county for funds their schools need. They are going to drag us down with them.

So glad the money pigs were defeated. Now get busy learning how to do more with less just as every family now has to do. Spell C.O.N.S.O.L.I.D.A.T.I.O.N.

If my math is correct - this would have cost me $15 per month. Not a big sacrifice to make sure kids have a good education. Doesn't anyone notice that the state can no longer fund education, so the community has to take over? My personal finances, lay off, 50% salary drop keep me in the red every month, and yet somehow I managed to vote yes, because I realize how important this is. Selfish stupid people live here.

Tom Bower -- No, public school academies do not have to provide the same services. One very expensive item that they do not have to provide is transportation. But, there are numerous other areas that need to be compared. There are charter middle schools that have no after school sports, no foreign languages, no woodworking, art, science labs, music rooms, etc. There is a huge difference starting at the middle school level where these items make education very expensive. A lot of kids leave charter schools because they want to have the activities and classes that make education well rounded.

tajjer - If it makes you feel even better about yourself, it would have only been .0000008 cents a second! Sorry my 32,000 close friends and myself ruined it for you though...

Dr. Billy Mays' Ghost,
What are you talking about? ruin it for me? All this did was give me my $15 a month back - which I certainly can use. And breaking down the cost on a monthly basis helps one to realize how little is actually being asked - while the other side inflates the cost - 10% of my annual income is what I heard - ridiculous. So stop with your ridiculous nonsensical comments - fi.

limmy,
General powers districts are "required" to provide transportation? Cite the section of the Revised School Code that supports your claim.

And, one public school academy in Washtenaw County requires students to complete an associate degree as part of its high school graduation requirements. Of course, all tuition, books and fees for the college courses are paid out of the state per pupil foundation grant. Students may earn up to 90 community college credits during their 8 semesters in residence at this middle college. No, it doesn't offer sports and other "extracurricular" activities. And, this school will continue to provide this level of education even without the enhancement millage. Learn more: http://www.themiddlecollege.org/

Dear jhcer:

Have you ever volunteerd or donated in your life time? I understand that the "someone" who spent $75k for this vote did a similar thing for a better purpose in this society. I think majority Republicans objected this millage. I am a progressive, but I strongly opposed it; This kind of defeat should have happened much earlier for our school district at least to be awakened to be responsible for how they have used our taxes.

However, I bet they, school administrators and teachers and other related people, will not (and do not want to) understand what this poll's result says. From now on, they will come up with ways to sacrifice any possible services or benefits on students first; they will never even think about how they can sacrifice themselves even if they have kept talking about "students". Awful and disgusting!

The main theme I read from the proponents before the election discussed the importance of education during these tough times and maintaining the value Ann Arbor places on education. That argument is lost on me because that is something BOTH sides want.
For the 06-07 school year, the national average on spending per pupil was $8,701. Many of the districts affected by this vote in Washtenaw County are close to that average except for Ann Arbor district at $11,553. I know this is a county wide proposal, but the AA district seems to get money every time they ask but yet their schools are not currently ranked better than some other districts in the county with average spending per pupil. AA district needs to make some changes (not with teachers, but with administration) and it’s not likely going to happen during good economic times when the voter has less leverage.

David,
Any word from WISD superintendent William Miller? When is the next attempt at passing a regional enhancement tax scheduled?

Feel better now? =)

Let me answer this question Don. I am a Bankruptcy Attorney. Michigan right now has the highest unemployment rate and foreclosure rate in the Country. People are losing their jobs, state income taxes are going up, and cost of living expenses are raising. Many people are struggling to hold on to the very homes they live in for both themselves and their children. Yet, many want to ask those same people to pony up a very significant amount of additional money in taxes. I for one, could ask how many of your ilk can sleep at night asking those same people to struggle even further. Ypsilanti has the highest, or very close to it, property tax rate in the State.

This problem was created by both the State and Federal governments. Out sourcing of jobs to Countries where they don't believe in human rights [Americans can't compete with slave labor and we shouldn't be forced to do so]; lax mortgage regulation, legislation that allows banks to rape their customers, the list goes on. The federal government will largely have to solve this problem, as it is the most responsible for creating it and has the tools necessary to do so. Instead of blaming people who are struggling to get by, you should look else place.

Don wrote, "I just want to say to all of you who voted against the millage, thanks for screwing the students (including me) over. I hope your happy. Because of you people, students will have fewer opportunities. Because of you people, funding for the arts and extracurricular activities will be cut. I have one question for all of those who voted no. How can you sleep at night, knowing what you're idiotic decision will cause?"

tajjer - Funny, I can use the money too! Now we're on the same page!

To Barry - "The difference between AA voters and everyone else in the county makes it pretty clear there is a clash of values in this county. The non-AAites don't want to fund their children's public education, even at $1.35 on the dollar. Point taken."

No - people outside of the city of Ann Arbor are hurting. Their housing values have tanked. They have lost jobs, benefits, had to take pay cuts. Ann Arbor hasn't felt the same amount of "pain" that the surrounding area has felt. They voted no because most of those voters feel like that in these tough times, sometimes you just have to say "no" to more and figure out how to live within your means.

Samshoe -- it clearly *is* a difference in values. Outside AA, people's priorities are not education. If in fact their property values have fallen further, that just means the millage would cost them less. It's a matter of making choices. Non-AA voters chose to keep their money. 'nuff said.

I just retired from the A2 schools after 30 years of successful work in the classroom. I voted NO on the millage because I've been on the inside and know of the ridiculous waste of my taxpaying dollars that goes on in the A2 schools. There are WAY too many people in the A2 system that don't come in contact with kids on a daily basis. Also, there are too many teachers in the district with well over 30 years of employment who should retire and let someone else have a career ( the state teacher plan was written to discourage teaching past 30 years. Increments in the pension payout after 30 years go up as though you are working for half salary). When I see administration cut the positions of the "Consultants", "aides" even "counselors" (another abused position), as well as their own bloated ranks, I will reconsider supporting the A2 schools further. And don't even get me started on the $120,000 salary paid to the principal of the new high school ( which we DON'T need) TWO YEARS before the school even opened. That's a perfect example off the arogant missuse of taxpayers dollars. "We The People" have spoken.

@dotdash
I think every parent wants a good education for their child. Values - please, I see some of the most self-indulgent children and parents in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor has an amazing amount of riches, but other communities do not. Some people are just struggling to keep their homes and feed their kids. Those are values that I respect. I understand why people voted no for the millage. Maybe $200 isn't much to you, but for many people $200 is a lot of money. It seems like people here have a disconnect on how tough it is right now for so many people in Washtenaw County and the state as a whole.

UniversityBrat, I couldn't agree more. I attended school in Ann Arbor and I currently live in the city. I voted "no" on the millage increase. I lost my job earlier this year and have to live on a reduced household budget. I think the schools should do the same. I had a sorry excuse for a "counselor" at Pioneer who was there simply to collect a paycheck. It sounds like not much has changed. I know there are many dedicated teachers and administrators, but it's time to make the hard choices and learn to live on less like I have. Unfortunately there have been too many hare-brained tax increases in the recent past to justify another in the worst economic climate Michigan has seen in decades.

University Brat -- would love to hear more from the inside. Skyline does seem like a scam. It's a great situation for kids that happen to live in one geographical area. It was supposed to help Pioneer but I haven't seen it. Yes the Pioneer is smaller, but I don't see that it is any less factory like. It would be great to hear more about where the money is being wasted.

I didn't mean to imply the school millage was "hare-brained". I meant that since there have been many unnecessary tax increases like the Greenbelt in the past, I can't justify any tax increase in this climate, no matter how worthy.

limmy,
According to state law, school districts are required to provide busing only for special education students. "Free" transportation is a major (unnecessary) expense that should be eliminated. Many (but not all) charter schools and private schools DON'T provide busing, and guess what? Their students show up every day. Busing is an unnecessary luxury that school districts should look long and hard at. Minimally, schools should institute a "cost recovery" mechanism for students who use the buses. Pay to play should also extend to "pay to ride." You're right; transportation is expensive and there's no reason the schools should be providing it free of charge, and certainly not at the classroom's expense.

@samshoe - I could not agree more. Just because Ann Arbor voters supported the millage does not mean they are higher-minded about education. They are just more out of touch with the economic reality others around the county face.

ScioMiddleClass -
I donate my time and funds to my child's school, serve as a board member of non-profit organizations and participate actively in meetings relating to my child's education in A2. I am an active member of my community, while still working full time and raising a family, so I am not sure why the comment of my not ever donating in my lifetime?

I am not sure what other funds Mr. Berriz donated for the betterment of society, maybe you should enlighten us as I am only familiar with the funds he "donates" for his own political agendas.

I am not sure how you think that there is a way the children will NOT be affected by this. But it is time to move on and become more involved. I love the idea of setting up private funding for AAPS, as I would gladly donate the amount my taxes were going to be raised or more to ensure that my child has what she needs for her education. I will be the first parent to send my child to a private school if AAPS has to make too many cuts that affect education and enrichment courses.

I respect the difficult decisions we voters have to make but I think the underlying problem is forgotten in the debate on this and other pocket book issues. That is: in good times when most of us had good jobs, there was much less resistance and negativity about spending on public education. But many who had good jobs and the sense of security and prosperity which comes with them have lost them.

Which brings us to the real question: Who is responsible for this recession and the loss of good jobs in Michigan and the United States? Aha!! It's the stinking Republicans and the "Great Business Heroes" they let destroy huge corporations with their Laissez Faire crapola fantasy!

So yes, thank the stinking (whack-o) Republicans who're still preaching "fiscal responsibility" - a term which they either don't understand or use as a cover for their crooked, self-serving schemes. Yeah, let's "privatize" everything and hand over our interests for a guarantee of more betrayals. Sorry, I'm not buying it.

Also relating to the free bus service, I could see revising this but not eliminating it all together. There are still families out there that rely on this mode of transportation for their children. Especially those that are in school districts outside of the city of Ann Arbor. I do see some areas that could be removed, but surely not all. We should also stop comparing public schools to charter schools. It's apples and oranges.

I lost my job six years ago. My husband died four years ago. I am not old enough to qualify for widow benefits. Selling my house is not an option because of the current housing market. I have cut my expenses everywhere I can. I am not traveling to New York or China, believe me. Asking me for two mills is asking my family to go hungry two months out of each of the next five years. I am not alone in my situation. Plenty of Washtenaw County families are watching every penny these days. Sorry, the funding has to come from the existing budget.

dotdash,

I hate to disillusion you but the decline in property values is not reflected in a decline in the taxable value. The county still tries to increase assesed value far beyond what a home can be sold for. If the reverse were only true. There are large numbers of people that are not employees of the University's in this area and don't feed at the public trough. Times are tough and every buck helps. When you are struggling to meet the mortgage payment a millage enhancement is the last of your concerns.

@JSA

Each city and township schedules a March Board of Review meeting where property owners can appeal their taxable value. Generaly property owners have to make an appointment to appear in person at the review, or send in a written appeal before the Board of Review meeting. If an property owner isn't satisfied with their local Board of Review response, they can take their appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

For more details contact the County Treasurer

http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/treasurer/

or review this overview from 2009

http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/treasurer/TFP/09%20assessed%20value.pdf

I hope that the message was clear enough that it's time for the districts to start tightening their own belts in stead of ours all the time. We need a Robert Bob in Washtenaw County to find the glut and cut the waste. Be assured the cuts will come from the bottom as usual instead of cutting from the excessive perks at the top.

I expect another millage proposal in the future. Be strong and demand change to the current status quo

Sure this is a tough economic time, but we and our communities could do some really creative thinking about how we can support our schools (groundskeeping, assisting teachers, etc.)aside from money. The fact that a man spent $75,000 of his money to campaign AGAINST the millage is ridiculous. If he was going to spend that kind of money, he could have endowed a teaching position, a specific program, a classroom or a school.

Does anyone else find it amusing that the anti-millage crew, who are working their hardest to save poor families and farmers from increased taxes, met at the Quarter Bistro to follow the results?