What the Washtenaw countywide millage will mean, every day, in my classroom
In a recent response to an article on this site about the proposed millage to help fund public education in Washtenaw County, one writer said he was going to vote against the proposal because he wanted to save the $200 a year it was likely to cost him to buy Christmas presents for his kids. I understand that sentiment.Â
If that $200 (less than $4 per week) is really going to be the difference between your children feeling joy on Christmas morning or waking to the disappointment of meager pickings in their stockings, then I can’t in good conscience tell you that you shouldn’t do whatever you can to make your children happy, to keep your children looking forward to getting up each day with a sense of wonder and a spirit of hope brimming in their chests.
On the other hand, I can also tell you what the difference is between my teaching a class with 29 students - the current average class size in Ann Arbor High schools - and one with, say, 35 students - which is likely what I’ll be doing (if I keep my job) for the 183 days your child will have me as a teacher.
With 29 students in each of my five classes, though it’s difficult, I can, over the course of a semester, gain a pretty good grasp of your child’s strengths and weaknesses as a writer. I can examine carefully perhaps a dozen pieces of writing your child has created and I can devote my full attention to any areas of deficiency.Â
I can think about creative strategies that hopefully will motivate your child to do better. I can search out books, stories and poems for him to read that I think will personally appeal to him and help him stretch his imagination and increase his overall enthusiasm for reading and writing. I can read and re-read his work and I can highlight his triumphs and encourage him when he does well.Â
I can spend a solid 45 minutes assessing his end-of-the-semester portfolio and responding with a page or two of personal hand-written comments. In short, while I can’t devote as much time and attention to your child as I could if my classes were the ideal size of, say, 20 students, I can probably just barely claw my way to a place where I can offer your child whatever help and personal attention he needs to grow.
With 35 students in each of my classes, the chances of my being able to offer the full amount of time necessary to help your child reach his potential as a writer decreases considerably. If your child already writes well, I will have less time to give her individual attention and to motivate her to take her work to the next level.Â
If your child is struggling, it’s far more likely I will be unable to isolate the best strategy for helping her. If your child’s somewhere in the middle, that’s probably where he’ll stagnate. I’ll be able to look in-depth at only perhaps seven or eight pieces of your child’s writing over the course of the semester, and I’ll only be able to devote half-an-hour to combing through his end-of-the-semester portfolio. If she’s lucky, she’ll get half-a-page of hand-written comments. In short, it’s quite possible - even probable - that despite my best efforts, I will be unable to offer whatever level of attention your child specifically needs from me.
If I am able to notice your child’s effort slipping, and if I can find the time to contact you, I will continue to do so. But, I’m sorry, if your daughter or son is one of 175 students instead if 150, the chances of my intervening in time to make a difference, of us working together to head off a potential problem, get a lot smaller.
That’s just on the academic level.
Let’s be honest, I’m not going to turn off whatever natural sense of empathy I have for the human beings I see in front of me each day, but will I be able to find a moment to offer a warm smile to your kid if he comes into my room looking like his backpack contains the weight of the world? Will I remember that she plays lacrosse or soccer and take the time to ask how the season’s going, or be able to make it to the stands to check out a game? Will I have the time and energy to sit with your child at lunch or after school and listen as she tells me why she’s afraid for her future?
Will I be able to write the letter of recommendation for college that really points to the kind of unique individual your child is and persuades somebody on the admissions committee to give him a second look?
Will I be able to plan and find the funding for the field trip or the guest speaker that will change your child’s way of seeing the world and open her up to the magic of literature and prod her along the path to leading a rich and satisfying life?
Will I notice amongst the sea of 35 faces, the slew of hundreds of stories and poems, the tics and quirks and glossy eyes that let me know I need to send a note to a counselor because I suspect your child might be going through something dangerous and might need professional help?
I hope I’ll be able to continue doing all those things, but, trust me, my day-to-day is generally impossible as it is. I’ve got my own children too. My 4-year-old son yesterday got the first real haircut of his life. He looks adorable with his short bangs, but I’m sort of devastated by the prospect of never again seeing him with long Samson-esque curls. With two days until trick-or-treating, my 8-year-old daughter doesn’t have a Halloween costume, and she’s growing anxious. We haven’t had time to carve any pumpkins yet either.Â
Along with the overwhelming majority of my colleagues in our union, I just voted myself a zero-percent pay-raise for the next year, and my wife Karen and I are trying to figure out if we can still afford to go to New York over Thanksgiving so my kids can see their grandparents for the first time since the summer. Every minute we delay our decision, the airfare gets pricier.
The good news is we were able to find a baby-sitter we can pay tomorrow night so Karen can help me volunteer my time and attend a special retreat where I’ll be working to encourage a group of kids who struggle academically at Pioneer to more deeply engage with their writing. It’ll be our first date in a month.
Listen, I’m not complaining. Short of playing centerfield for the Yankees and trying to solve the mystery of Cliff Lee, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing than teaching and writing. But this millage vote on Tuesday isn’t about me. It’s about the differences between classes with 29 students and 35 students.
Those differences are real and the consequences for your child, or for that kid down the street, will be concrete. Christmas is an important day. Nobody’s denying that. The glow of a child’s face on Christmas morning can be priceless. But, for two hundred bucks a year, the chances of a child’s face glowing on each of his 183 school days get a whole lot higher.
** NOTE ** Speaking of teaching and writing … The Ann Arbor Book Festival is offering a special fall Writer’s Conference on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Pioneer H.S. A spectacular slate of instructors includes Eileen Pollack and Michael Byers from U-M’s #2 nationally ranked MFA program in Creative Writing, as well as local poets and incomparable workshop leaders Keith Taylor, Scott Beal and Susan Hutton; and I’ll be offering a seminar on how to present/perform your work in public. The day’s a great value @ $95 including 3 workshop sessions, lunch, a panel discussion on publishing options and a participant reading. $50 for students. To register and/or glean additional info, go to aabookfestival.org.
Jeff Kass teaches Creative Writing at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor and at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, and directs the Literary Arts Programs at the Neutral Zone, including the VOLUME Youth Poetry Project which meets every night at 7 p.m. He will post new blog entries every Tuesday and Thursday morning throughout the school year.
Comments
Sierra Elizabeth
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 2:47 p.m.
A2flow said it best: "Educational reform should also include administrators. The bad administrators should be let go, just as teachers who don't do anything." YES. I agree wholeheartedly. While competent administrators exist, I've noticed that most of the incompetence within the district flows directly from poor administrative decisions. As a recently graduated student of AAPS, I know I don't have to feed a family or worry about my taxes just yet, just gargantuan student loans (ugh). But I must say that I have always been horribly confused by the way the district spends its money, particularly at AA Huron. I'm not going to lie and say that the brand spanking new outdoor track wasn't great, or that the non-slip hardwood floor in the Dome wasn't appreciated (by those who used it, many during useless Personal Fitness classes nobody wants to take), but seriously? I don't get it. None of those were necessary. None of those things would have changed anyone's scholastic records for the better. The only necessary bit of all that "physical reformation" was new turf on the field hockey practice field, as the persistent goose poop and uneven surfaces rendered it unsanitary and even unsafe. But really, all those football coaches for a team whose record hasn't necessarily lived up to its funding...? not to point fingers, but in these tough economic times... are they paid for facilitating all that winter training? How would I even find out? Also, the complete reworking of Huron's landscaping. Why? I must add that while I've been in the presence of quite a few fantastically super-intelligent teachers (whom I appreciate so much more having some college under my belt), I've also had a few that taught absolutely nothing. In fact, my peers and myself were subjected to one particularly incompetent middle school teacher who sat at her desk while we either read, wrote, or sat in corners to discuss any of those two things. Nothing specific, just anything we felt like, and she graded based upon how she felt about you because we turned in very little. :( While that is a major exception to most of my experiences, I detest the fact that my parent's money (which we are struggling to manage even though we live in a modest three-bedroom house with five people including one autistic, blablabla we all have our stories) is contributing to that contemptible woman's salary. I understand that such an individual needs to make their bucks to obtain sustenance and teachers need to have something to protect their line of work, but if one teacher happens to sit at their desk every class period and watch the students complete vague tasks, someone has to stand up for the amount of money that they're not actually working to earn. Even more so at the high school level, when grades and learning count so much more toward life goals. Just wanted to add that I fully support paying a working teacher's salary :), but what I'm saying is that the district absolutely MUST figure out how to make cutbacks in the RIGHT places. Unfortunately, while the teachers define each child's education, certain administrators have a tendency to want to cover their own behinds, or the behinds of administrator friends. Which is what is nearly setting fire to Ann Arbor's outstanding curriculum, because quite a few of them are not needed.
citrus
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 1:58 p.m.
As for the comments that Mr. Kass and his students have too many frills and extra-curricular activities: Expressive communication and the ability to understand others'? That's fairly essential. The ESSENCE, many would argue. Exercising your body, working as a team, and striving for a goal? Also not completely frilly. At least in the area of programs for high IQ kids, the schools need more "frills." Maybe something as extravagant as one pull-out class for elementary school students, or one gifted ed coordinator. As to the comments that Mr. Kass is bullying anybody by presenting his classroom view of things: bunkus. This article, and 110 comments aren't going to force anybody to do anything. Our child is in an independent school, but we're voting yes. We're not rolling in it, we're just doing what is right for us with the means that we have. Yes, many people have a far more difficult situation, but each person has their own tough choice about kids, money, sacrifice, perceived injustice. I don't assume everybody has evil intent when they make those choices, whether it's pro or con.
Mr. Incredible
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 10:11 p.m.
Hey Shortfellow, I just wanted to add to your "I can't tell you how many times I have been complimented on my base knowledge of things..." You are soooo smart! Your base knowledge of things is well, base. And educated in ancient Greece as well! You go, girl! Go Fox News!! Yay, team! Yay, Hannity! Your intellect is astonishingly average.
MightyQuinn
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 7:43 p.m.
The Ann Arbor News reported school salaries based on documents obtained by the FOIA in 2007 (see http://blog.mlive.com/ann_arbor_news_extra/teacher_pay/index.html). Some conclusions were: "In Ann Arbor, the average salary of an Ann Arbor teacher is $71,080....In Ypsilanti, the average salary of a teacher is $58,444" "More than 1,450 employees of public school districts in Washtenaw and Livingston counties made over $75,000 in 2006...That includes more than 1,100 teachers." "More than 90 percent of the 50 top-paid local public school employees are administrators" By any measure, these are excellent salaries especially when benefits and pensions are added. Admittedly, the following calculations are not exact but I believe they are useful for discussion. In Ann Arbor, the school millage in 2004 was 17.973 mills (http://www.annarborusa.org/media/files/wc_millage_2004.pdf). A house with a taxable value of (50% assesed value) $100,000 would pay $1,973 for schools. Very roughly (since taxes for schools have many sources such as businesses, sales tax, lotto, federal grants and taxes, etc.), the budget for schools will be about $13 billion of the $43 billion state budget ($23 billion of that from state resources http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/11/debate_begins_over_paying_for.html). At a maximum, 56% of ones state taxes (based on state funded resources) is for education (and probably less). If one has a taxable income of $80,000, a state tax rate of 4.35% and 56% of that is for schools, then less than $1,948 of the state tax paid is for schools for a total school "tax" of less than $3,745. If funding in Ann Arbor is about $12,500/student (about the average state level), then for a one child family more than $8,755 ($12,500 - $3,745) is from public money. Each additional child gets $12,500 of public funding. Acknowledging that public funding for education is invaluable to society and of course there are other costs associated with having children, this is still an incredible value. With two children, few families could readily afford an additional $25,000/year to send their kids to school from K-12. But I would be certain that if they had to pay that amount they would be extremely critical of how their money were being spent. Why is it that when most of the money for education comes from other sources, there is not the same requirement for transparency and fiscal accounting?
erikalan
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 3:29 p.m.
Yes, nice story on how class sizes will have to increase. Maybe we should cut back on the Olympic size swimming pools, and indoor running tracks that encircle world class basketball gymnasiums. Maybe we should bus a little less and build more sidewalks. Maybe Michigan could do a better job with the average $8781 spent per child and attain results similar to states that spend less and achieve better results. I do remind you that of that $200.00, only $65.00 will actually go to teaching, the rest will disappear in administrative costs - that's the sad fact of education in our country and state. I quote a 2002 Study by the State of Michigan - "New evidence suggests that a growing percentage of public school funds are being spent on district administration rather than on teaching. According to Standard & Poor's, the private company hired by the state to analyze school data from Michigan public schools and public school academies, central administration costs have risen more than twice as fast as instructional expenses, including teacher salaries, over the past three years." - Let's see the real numbers of administrative personnel costs and administrative costs vs. Teacher Salaries and actual classroom investments and then come to me with hat in hand.
larry
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 3:04 p.m.
If it's only $200 per year, then why don't the teachers & staff of the school system take a pay cut instead of further increasing our taxes? We already pay for about $12,200 per student, and looks like even this is not enough. Something in Ann Arbor must cost a LOT?
JonesM
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 10:12 p.m.
There seems to be some concensus among those both for and against the millage that the education system needs to be reformed and that includes renegotiating benefits and pensions. I would be very interested to know what the MEA's stance is toward this? Has Annarbor.com contacted them and asked them?
YpsiLivin
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 4:17 p.m.
It looks like some people in East Lansing are wearing their "big boy pants" when it comes to handling decreased funding for education. Perhaps K-12 administrators in Washtenaw County could take a few pointers from this.
aataxpayer
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 4:01 p.m.
Mygirlfriday, i think we have great schools in Ann Arbor. We live in a town that tries to educate all kids, not just the "normal" kids. We live in town where advanced students that apply themselves can get AP credits in high school and save thousands in college tuition. We live in a town with "safety nets" so that kids in trouble can get straightened out at Roberto Clemente and graduate rather than drop out. Yes, there are a few bad teachers and administrators that really do need to find a new profession, but overall we really do have great schools with many fantastic teachers. We do need reforms. I wish teachers would support the reforms so taxpayers could then give more support to the schools. Unfortunately, the MEA will not support reforms. Do we have to vote NO to get reforms?
mygirlfriday
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 2:11 p.m.
Kate, I have experienced 14 years of Ann Arbor Public Schools. Unfortunately I have not witnessed anything that would prove this reputation to be earned. It seems to me that the children who succeed here, are the ones that can afford additional tutoring and any extra help from family friends and outside sources that they can find. $200 dollars may seem like a drop in the bucket to you, but for some that is only 1 month of the tutoring needed to get a child the education they actually deserve. I already pay more in property taxes for a small home in Ann Arbor than some of my counterparts do in Canton or Plymouth for a home 3 times the size. If I thought for 1 minute that an increase in funding would fix even one of the problems that exist in this school district my vote may be different. They should have stopped the leaking when they had the opportunity the first time. Instead, they built a new high school that is less than half occupied. If there is over crowding in our high schools, now might be a good time to utilize the more than half empty skyline and ease the classroom sizes by filling the empty ones first.
seth.bechtel
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 1:35 p.m.
@kate... most of us don't live on a teachers salary therefore there isn't any latte to cut... We are looking at millage pass=forfeit home, move to Jackson. BTW this would mean that we would be taking our 2 childrens 7400 per pupil away from Manchester... So be sure to figure that into your budget "shortfall"... Better yet learn to live within your means like the rest of us have had to... VOTE NO on MEA contract bailout..
grimdaddy1
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 1:33 p.m.
@ billy mays "The economy is the largest driver of housing values" wrong past/current sales drive your homes value not the state economy. the state picks your homes value by comparing the simalr home in the area and what they have been baught and sold for. the SEV also has a automatic adjustment to keep with inflation (i belive you can find it on Mich Board of Realtors web site).
TruBlue
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 12:15 p.m.
Kate- For me it has little to due with the money and mostly the lack of control. No controls on how the money will be spent and no commitment to fix a broken system. Also you don't seem to understand the millage you will be voting on. 1. This tax will go to all public schools in Washtenaw not just AA. This makes your argument about AA versus Ypsi pointless. ACTUALLY Ypsi will be getting more out of it than AA. 2. $200 is not realistic. Unless you leave in Ypsilanti it's not going to be $200. My increase will be about $400. PS my wife has worked at UM for 15 years and makes less than the starting salary for teachers at all the schools in the county. She even has a Bachelors' degree.
aataxpayer
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 12:02 p.m.
DagnyJ, Consolidation has some merit, but I don't agree that 11 districts should become one. The ones to merge may be Ypsi, Willow Run and Lincoln, but I doubt they could get enough votes to merge. Ann Arbor could merge with Whitmore Lake, but they might oppose the lost sense of community. I don't see failure to consolidate and a strong reason for a NO vote. I only need evidence that the unions support real state reforms to vote YES.
Kate
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 10:35 a.m.
People who choose to vote "no" on this extremely important millage are uneducated on the facts. No teacher wants to educate because the pay is great. For those of you who think that they make so much money, you are so so wrong. My husband, who never graduated from college makes twice as much money as a teacher with a masters degree in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Just because many people are suffering in this economy, and chances are the people who are voting no on this are; doesn't give you the right to be ignorant and cheap. $200 per year is nothing... 55 cents a day. If you cut one latte out of your diet a week, it would pay for this tax. Ann Arbor public schools are nationally recognized as some of the best schools in our country which is another reason why the same home in the Ann Arbor school system is worth double that of a similar home in the Ypsi school system. You should be proud to support your public schools and it disgust me to see so many people oppose this millage.
Eric78
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 10:10 a.m.
Why not burden homeowners more? Maybe WISD and AAPS need to make some cuts and or concessions, like the a lot of business and families are doing now.
jh
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 9:46 a.m.
Is it possible to flag an entire comment thread as offensive in one fell swoop?
DagnyJ
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 9:37 a.m.
jcer, and who is making the decision to cut the "extras"? And why aren't those people looking at structural answers like consolidating schools, pay to play, etc.? You have been suckered by the usual "cut art, music, etc." argument by district officials. Vote down the millage, and watch what happens. Band will not be cut. Nor will art. But the district will make the structural changes. You're being played.
jhcer
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 9:32 a.m.
I want to quickly clarify one point. The 2 Mill millage that is up for vote here is based on a home's SEV, not the actual market value. This is very different. I noticed a comment that said most homes in A2 would be at $200k, this is not true. I would guess the average SEV to be closer to the $100k SEV others are referencing. Every year home owners receive their adjusted SEV value, look at that and find out the true cost to you. I keep hearing people throw out $350 or $400 or $500, when for the average family, it is much closer to $200 - $250 per year. This increase in taxes will not, in my opinion of course, hurt a home property value or appeal in the market. Having "average" school systems would. Also, the A2 schools will receive around $11M from this millage. They anticipate a deficit by 2011 of $17M. Cuts will still have to be made. I agree there are some flaws in the system. But closing a school isn't what is on the chopping block here, and neither is fighting the teacher's union. What are on the chopping block are the enrichment courses and many other programs. Go to www.a2cmc.org for more. I will be voting YES.
mygirlfriday
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 9:29 a.m.
I am sorry that you feel the millage is the only answer to the problems that you mention. Having two children who were failed miserably by the Ann Arbor public schools (during good times) reminds me that the dollar is not the answer. You sound like a teacher who really cares, but the classroom sizes have been the excuse offered by teachers at Pioneer high for all of the years that my children attended, as to why they were unable to attend IEP meetings, (in 4 years I never had a full staff of teachers present at not one of those meetings), or why they waited until 2 days before the end of the semester to mention that the work submitted was still not going to get them a passing grade. Unfortunately, my eldest ended up taking the GED; he passed it the first time around (without attending any of the course prep classes) in the 99th percentile in the state. It is a shame that the efforts you mentioned here were not made when my children attended your school (when the money was good enough to have a stockpile to build yet another school). It was more likely for the administration of this building to try and push those with learning disabilities off on another school, than to try and help them inside of the building they were already in. You talk about encouraging students to find what they enjoy, and pointing out where they do well. All my children ever received from the teachers in this building were how they were never going to make it. NO Ladies and Gentlemen of Washtenaw County, the increase in funding for our schools will not improve your Childs education. It will provide more money for the administrators to waste on their tactics that impair the process of good education. Provide more ways to distract from the real learning process. Maybe if they stopped trying to change the things that work, and stop doing the things that don't, education can finally be achieved for ALL in Ann Arbor Public Schools. Right now only the chosen few, who are already equipped to learn (not disabled in any way), have even the slightest chance of making it. Don't throw good money after bad. If we do what we have always done, we will get what we have always gotten. Vote NO on the millage.
DagnyJ
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 9:13 a.m.
aataxpayer, I would support this millage if all the districts consolidated under a single, countywide school district with a single superintendent and a single teachers' contract. Then I could consider it.
aataxpayer
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 9:04 a.m.
DagnyJ, Under the WISD millage 71% of AAPS taxpayer money is returned to AAPS and 100% stays in the county. That is much better than the 35 to 38% return we get back from the state school tax. Milan, Willow Run, Lincoln, Ypsi, Manchester, Saline and Whitmore Lake are the big winners, getting from $1.16 (Whitmore Lake) to $1.65 (Lincoln) back for every local tax dollar paid. A2flow, Current tenure law really is a problem. I'm not in favor of eliminating tenure, but real reform is needed. Unfortunately, the MEA is way too powerful in Lansing for this to happen. Is a NO vote the only way to get the attention of the MEA? a2momX3, Actually, Todd Roberts has been very open in discussing the need for reforms in the summer when he wasn't so swamped. Also, the legal constraints on what a superintendent can and cannot do are tremendous. For example, he is not allowed to talk in a specific way about teach contract negotiation under current interpretations of state law. Reforms at the state level are desperately needed so that the voice of taxpayers can be heard during contract negotiations, not just during millage elections. When when considers all the constraints he is under, Todd Roberts is doing a good job.
MjC
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 8:56 a.m.
We all support our children and want the best education for them. But the details are in the writing and this mill is NOT going to fix the problems we have with the budget crises. I'll support an increase that brings into use new ideas and new changes to our school system (all year school, 4 day week with extended class hours, consolidated schools, school of choice...). Give me something positive to vote for - not another mill that wastes money on maintaining the same old system.
DagnyJ
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 7:13 a.m.
That's true about taxes. When people see the tax bills here and figure it into the monthly house payment, they look elsewhere. Ann Arbor city in particular suffers from this. Ask people who were annexed into the city from AA Twp in the past few years, who suddenly paid AA City taxes. Your property values are depressed because of high taxes. Especially in this economy.
TruBlue
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 5:16 a.m.
This won't help your property value. The high property tax in Washtenaw is a turnoff for many people. I work with many people who won't touch property in Washtenaw because of taxes. I live in the county but wouldn't move to AA because the taxes outrageous.
"We" not "Them"
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 2:46 a.m.
Even if I didnt care about the kids (which I do), and even if I thought teachers were over paid (which I dont), I would still VOTE YES on this millage. From purely a selfish financial standpoint, it is in my best interest to support this millage. My biggest investment is my house. I need my property value to recover the 30% hit it has taken over the last few years. When looking at this millage I ask myself the question, How will this affect my property value? From the economic side, if I pocket the $300 and vote No, will it spark an economic turn around for the area? No. Will voting No create more jobs? No. What about voting Yes? Will people leave the area in mass exodus because their taxes were increased by $300? No. Will businesses suddenly fail because they cant handle the extra burden? No. So, from a pure numbers perspective the millage wont change the economy either way except for my individual pocketbook. On the other hand, what impact will cutting school funding have on my property value? Will fewer people and companies move to this area if we let our schools go from exceptional to average? Yes. Will cutting school programming like music lead people to leave the community? Yes. Will cutting school funding result in job losses? Yes. Voting for school cuts will only serve to hurt our schools, drive people out of the area, and continue the downward spiral my property value has taken. The school system is a center piece in our economic revitalization. This millage will not turn around the economy or destroy it, but it will assist in keeping our schools better than schools in other communities. When the economy does eventually turn around our community will be in line to benefit the most because we will be the most attractive to people moving into the area (Strength of the local school system is a primary reason people choose where to live). When people begin lining up to move here my property value will recover. So Im taking my $300 and investing in my house, my community, and my family by VOTING YES on the millage.
Bill Wilson
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:45 p.m.
I am a two week per year Ann Arbor resident. The remainder of the time I live in Montgomery county, Maryland, some thirty minutes from Washington, DC. Montgomery county is the wealthiest county in this country, and its people are considered to be the brightest, and the best. Six figure incomes are common. However, in the nine-plus years that I have lived here, I am in near constant amazement at the lack of basic education on display here on an almost daily basis by these upwardly mobile professionals. I cannot count the number of times that I have been complimented on my base knowledge of things, things that should have pounded into these people in grade school, as it was pounded into me. And yet, I grew up in Dearborn Heights and 30 + students per class was the norm. Frankly, I am not unique. My teachers managed to educate the vast majority of my classmates, and did so at the same high level. The notion that dollar amounts determine education levels is ludicrous. If you want to go to New York to visit relatives, do as our son's tutor does: take on a part-time job in your off-hours.
TruBlue
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:11 p.m.
I love it when people always have bring CEOs into an argument. I agree CEO compensation is obscene but private companies can pay people whatever they want(unless bailout by the government). When taxpayer money is used, taxpayers should have some say in how it will be used.
Jed I. Knight
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 8:56 p.m.
Shenanigans.
Jimmy Olsen
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 8:47 p.m.
A2flow "In regards to tenure law, my understanding is teachers can be fired." You show me how many teachers have been fired in the last 5 years - i'll bet you it is close to none. Everytime you see something about removing a teacher the district has had to cough up serious dollars to pay off the teacher because it is so expensive to get rid of one. Back when I was in middle school, my algebra teacher was so bad, the high school knew we all needed extra help - couldn't even touch the teacher. Time hasn't changed that. All this money is going into the general fund and that means it will be spent on the 85+ percent of the cost of each school district - benefits and salaries. I wonder - what is the cap on the health care dollars for AAPS, and what does each teacher contribute. I pay over 500 a month for my coverage - and I bet that is middle to low compared to what others are paying. And people who talk about the administrators salaries - take a look at what MEA pays - 300K for president, 200K+ for vice-presidents - uni-serve directors out in the field 125K+. Those are your union dues - I'll be if they reduced that we could work out our budget problems. There are lots of solutions - throwing more money into the pot will not change anything.
DagnyJ
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 8:46 p.m.
aataxayer: I agree that Roberts has been great. So why, then, should we send Ann Arbor taxpayer dollars to Saline, which hasn't been forthcoming? The problem with this millage is that is asks you to write a check and send it off to all the school districts in the county, without having any voice at all in how that money is spent. Not only that, but poor Todd Roberts will get less from his taxpaying constituency that other superintendents in the county. But we should do this because...well...school officials want us to? Sorry, not good enough.
aataxpayer
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 8:18 p.m.
Regarding transparency - Todd Roberts has been very open and generous with his time explaining funding problems, challenges related to existing state laws, etc. Many of the problems we feel locally must be fixed at the state level. If you want to get rid of bad teachers or administrators you must get changes in state law. If you want reforms in pension and health care benefits, you need changes in state law. The simple fact is that the state MEA is very powerful and resisting any change. The school superintendents association is asking for changes but our state government is doing nothing to help. So what do we do? Starve the system of money to force reforms and incur adverse outcomes for our kids, or vote yes and simply hope for reforms? AAEA please say you will support real reforms?
TruBlue
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 8:14 p.m.
There is no way I am voting for this tax increase. There are so many issues with this proposal. 1. No wage and benefit cuts by teachers. I didn't get a raise last year, won't get one this year, and probably won't get one until 2011 at the earliest. Join the club teachers! 2. No accountability on how the money will be spent. What's to stop the teachers from demanding raises if this thing gets passed? 3. No guarantees they won't ask for more money next year. 4. No long term plans to fix the education system. Anyone who votes for this is a fool with a lot of extra cash.
AAJoker
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 7:39 p.m.
Wow, the scare tactics continue! If this millage is voted down it would an irresponsible administration if the response is layoffs and increased class sizes. The proper answer is streamlining (services, bussing, purchasing power county wide), consolidation (6 high schools to 5 or even 4, trim down optional activities) and renegotiation (contracts with pensions, high compensation levels and very low health costs vs. the market). I have seen many people ask what the administration is doing along all these lines PRIOR to asking for these monies, and the story has been weak. It is high time the AAPS started thinking like the business world where one cannot simply hit up taxpayers to cover for shortcomings. (other than the bail outs naturally)
anothervoice
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 7:34 p.m.
A number of posts support a reluctant "yes" vote and then suggest, contact the A2 superintendent to demand transparency and change. It is my opinion these thoughts are a pipe dream and that in any public bureacracy, no one changes anything unless they have absolutely no choice. When is the last time you've seen a public entity pro-actively plan on anything? (except plotting this new tax for 2 years?)
Janelle Baranowski
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 7:26 p.m.
By the way, I recoginize that many of your articles contain hyperlinks, but it would be nice if everything, including editorials, contained some type of support.
Janelle Baranowski
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 7:23 p.m.
AnnArbor.com, Since this forum is almost like a blog, can you start having your contributors and staff post links to back up any assertions they make? It seems that there's a lot of numbers, facts, etc. (essentially, accusations) being thrown out in stories that could be supported. I think it would be a great way to increase both transparency and accountability. Regards, Janelle Baranowski www.some-other-viewpoint.blogspot.com
YpsiLivin
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 7:10 p.m.
If you believe that the only way to support the schools is to vote in favor of the millage, you're saying that you accept the premise that NOT passing the millage means that programs will be cut. Why programs? Why not administration? Is administration a Sacred Cow that can't be cut? Why aren't administrators crying about the administrative services that will disappear? Why is it only classroom operations that are threatened each time a millage appears on the ballot? The fundamental problem with asking administrators to cut administration is that (to an administrator) cutting administration is counter-intuitive. Administrators have a propensity toward self-preservation, so naturally they're not going to look at administration as a possible source of cash for operations until they are forced to by millage failure - the electorate's equivalent of gunpoint. Administrators don't want to admit that their colleagues (who are also likely to be their friends) are non-essential. They also can't seem to get their heads around the fact that they themselves might be non-essential. They cling to the notion that if their position were eliminated tomorrow the school system would grind to a halt without them. In their minds, each one of them is the linchpin that keeps the entire system from flying apart. In reality, administration is parasitic on an organization. Administration is a necessary evil, to be certain, but organizations that spend minimally on it are richly rewarded, while those that spend heavily on it are doomed. Look honestly at your school district. Does your district fall under the "richly rewarded" category, or does it fall under "doomed?" $0.56 of every dollar raised in this county for education is spent on classroom services. The other $0.44 is spent elsewhere. $7 million of this millage - nearly HALF of the money raised (if this passes) will NOT be spent in the classroom. It will NOT be used for the benefit of the students. Instead, that $7 million will be frittered away on non-essential services, including a ton of administrators who fancy themselves to be indispensable.
bud
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 6:28 p.m.
I'm voting for it too. The 20J funding veto was just too big of a blow. Now is the time to step up.
bud
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 6:28 p.m.
I'm voting for it too. The 20J funding veto was just too big of a blow. Now is the time to step up.
anonamoose
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 6:01 p.m.
You know what? Teachers should get paid what they get paid, because you know how your kids drive you crazy, well imagine having 6 to 7 classes of 30 kids whose main goal is to make you look stupid/old. Today: My poor husband was told he had a booger hanging out of his nose, it was then exclaimed that no its just a gray nose hair. Every week: He spends Sundays at a cafe grading papers, making phone calls to parents whose child is in danger of failing (and some of the parents he doesnt call because hes afraid that child will get beaten again.) Every day: He hears stories about kids~ who didnt have dinner last night, whose parents cant afford to send them to the college they deserve (who cant even afford the application fee), who have to watch their younger siblings because their parents are working multiple jobs and thats why they didnt do their homework. Teachers arent just teachers, they are social workers, mentors, and human beings. My husband works hard and he crys about the kids he cant help. (and he does construction every summer to help pay the bills)(and just so you know, and dont get your knickers in a twist, we have nothing extravagant in our lives all of our clothes come from thrift shops and hand me downs, etc...) Im voting for the millage because I believe in my teachers. I truly hope this helps them continue to teach my kids with the energy I have seen in the past. I WILL write a letter to Todd Roberts and hope we get some transparency.
a2flow
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 5:39 p.m.
My thoughts on what I am reading (I do teach)... Large class sizes = less learning, more behavior problems, and worse outcomes. There is no way around this, unless you have the illusion that school should be scan-tron tests and is filled with students that will sit quietly and cooperatively no matter instruction or class size. If the class size became very large, it will be much more difficult for teachers and students alike. My idea of education is not scan-tron, it's interactive, where I can work with my students to make a difference. Macabre - There is not one person that can defend that teachers average salary is around 80K. Most studies will say high 40's to mid 50's. If you understood what you are talking about, this would indicate that teachers start out making maybe around 60 and end up around 120. The 80K threshold for average pay is so much higher than reality it's really not worth debating. There needs to be structural reform at the state level. Ann Arbor residents do pay a lot of taxes, and quite frankly, they give too much to the state and get too little back in funds. The state needs real funding reform. Cutting this much money at such a late time, there is no positives to it. Transparency with how the funds are being spent would be good. It would allow reasonable and logical debate (maybe), instead of people making blatantly wrong articulations on either end (see Macabre's post). There is not one teacher that gets out at 2:15. The earliest a teacher would leave would be around 3pm, which would be almost an 8 hour day. If you are leaving at 3, then you are doing work at home and on the weekends. I don't see anywhere around not doing work at home if you leave that early. There is no magic book that provides day by day lessons for each class. As a teacher you align your work with state standards, use textbooks, supplemental materials, design your own activities, and genereally try to bring the information to life. Leaving about 3 pm meets the minimum of contract expectations. Aside from this, there are meetings, conferences, consultations, grading papers,and working with students to name a few. On average, I would say most teachers work close to 50 hours per week. I have worked as much as 60-70 hours per week, when everything is factored in. Possibly more. In regards to tenure law, my understanding is teachers can be fired. The admins do need to document this though to fire the teacher. It must be with reason instead of just because. I do feel there needs to be a safeguard against wayward administrators. I have worked with some competent administrators. In short, they have a hard job and do it well. I would go to the wall for them. But there are other admins that if they could fire without cause, it would be a sad day. Teachers who refuse to comply with unethical suggestions (high stakes testing anyone? Failure rates? Achievement gap?) could be dismissed for not willing to play the PR game. Educational reform should also include administrators. The bad administrators should be let go, just as teachers who don't do anything. Everyone has their own free will to choose to support the millage or not. Do what is in your conscience and accept the outcomes. I don't feel Mr. Kass was trying to scare you into voting for it, but I think there will be an effect of whatever is decided. Large class sizes will likely be an outcome. How large? I have no idea. There needs to be reform at the state level. It's unacceptable that these cuts are happening so late into the school year. Hopefully brighter days are ahead for everyone. Take care.
GoblueBeatOSU
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 5:18 p.m.
so a question? Did anyone notice the new sidewalk that was installed on Main Street in front of Pioneer High? They took out a blacktop sidewalk that was in fair shape and replaced it with a cement sidewalk. Why would you replace a usable sidewalk with a new sidewalk? I thought Ann Arbor Public schools were short on money? The schools haven't explained how this additional 2 mil in taxes will be spent. Is this how the money is going to be spent? On needless things?
DagnyJ
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 5:13 p.m.
Jeff, that $200 means that not all of it will go to improve your classroom conditions. Some of it will go to Saline and Dexter and Chelsea, districts and communities that are more affluent than yours. So tell me again how me voting for this millage will somehow prevent catastrophe in Ann Arbor? PS. AA.com, this is really dreadful to have a sanctioned columnist promote this millage to pay for his school salary. Shame on this.
MikeMartin
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 4:42 p.m.
slyde734- while that is an interesting thought, are you aware that there way more teachers in Michigan looking for jobs than there are positions for them? Way, way more. Look at the stats for applicants for an individual opening at any public school. Teachers are a very important part of society. But, offering an incentive for more people to enter a field that is already overcrowded doesn't seem like a great idea to me.
MikeMartin
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 4:36 p.m.
I am already paying $16,000 a year in property taxes. It's just enough. While I have no problem with reapportioning my payments for more money for schools, how can we be asked to pay more? Property taxes in this city are outrageous. Partially because practically every ballot initiative passes. There has to be belt tightening- these property taxes are not sustainable. Every time they come to the voters- its just another few hundred dollars. Enough already. Besides the basic burden of paying a $16,000 a year tax bill, how are we supposed to sell our houses with property taxes at these levels? And, falling property values impact us all. Additionally, cities in Michigan can ill afford to live up to the high taxation reputation we have. The state is hemorrhaging residents already. Spending in this city and this state has to be brought under control.
Dan
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 4:24 p.m.
Its $200 less that I'll have to spend on Home Schooling materials!
slyde734
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 3:51 p.m.
I don't understand why some people are so upset with how much money teachers make. You know what, I think their pay should be doubled. If it were, then even more people would want to become teachers. I want to see the best people teaching my kids.
Mumbambu, Esq.
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 3:43 p.m.
I wish I had summer break I wish I had snow days I wish I had spring break I wish I had mid-winter break I wish I got a seven minute break for every 53 minutes of teaching I wish I got two weeks off to celebrate my "holiday" I wish my day ended at 2:15
treetowncartel
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 3:38 p.m.
Billy's just a little stymied that there is no longer a quality daily newspaper in the area to keep us abreast on important matters. I'm drinking the kool aid for the main reason that the state is going to hose districts even more next year since they won't have any of Obaham's money to playwith. But, what I don't get is why can't each district have their own mill. I understand that district and township/city/village boundaries intermingle.
Tony Dearing
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 3:28 p.m.
Comments were removed because the commenters were directing comments personally at each other. Commenters are encouraged to discuss the issue involved here, and are free to heartily disagree with each other, but please avoid personal attacks.
seth.bechtel
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 3:27 p.m.
The MEA will stop using extortion and holding our children hostage... as soon as there is no MEA. This Quote says it all: "When schoolchildren start paying dues, that's when I'll start representing the interests of schoolchildren." -- Albert Shanker, former president, American Federation of Teachers
seth.bechtel
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 3:24 p.m.
This millage is like the previews for that movie "The Box", the one where if the woman pushes the button she gets a million dollars but someone somewhere in the world dies because of it... Kind of like voting yes for the millage... when you pull that yes lever, somewhere some child in this county loses their home... Sleep well.
ResidentAnvil
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2:40 p.m.
I am always surprised to see people on these posts screaming that they, and everyone else in this god-foresaken state, can't afford another cent in taxes. Yet, they are on a computer, using the internet and electricity, so maybe they are the ones with the "budgeting problems!" I, for one, will figure out a way to work it into my budget.
Ruth
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2:22 p.m.
I am voting for the millage. I think the school funding problem is because the legislators did not do their job to see that adequate funding for schools (and other essential services in the state) was covered in the state budget. This is a different tack, but we need the opportunity for longer terms for the legislators so they have the responsibility for the long haul. Please reconsider, if appropriate, to allow the schools to get over this hump and give them time to adjust to the cuts made by the legislators and governor. The schools have been cut dramatically from the state. This millage is vital.
Jimmy Olsen
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2:11 p.m.
BenWoodruff, How would we know what teachers are worth if they are not evaluated on an annual basis like many of us are. I just got another pay cut, health benefit reduction, vacation time reduction, etc. It's pointless for me to have a review, since there are no raises anyway. I'm on-call 24/7/365 to support a technology application, been working 50 steady hours a week for years. So what am I worth? You can't tell me, just as I can't tell you what a teacher is worth. I can tell you one thing - when districts across the state are all in receivership and all shutting down because they can't pay their bills - our village idiots in Lansing might finally take notice. But, next year is an election year so I don't expect much from that crowd. I'll also tell you the MEA and every county in the state is watching to see what happens and you will see enhancement millages on every ballot in the spring.
Freemind42
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2:06 p.m.
Nice analogy, now why not cut the funding for the music program while you're at it?
Janelle Baranowski
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2:06 p.m.
mytwocents, I know that some schools post their budgets, but not all do. This information should be easily accessible to anyone who is interested. It should also be understandable and searchable. I took a look at the state budget once and gave up after a few minutes. --- C. Alfaro, The last thing I mention in my post is that ALL institutions receiving public funds should have to post their financial information. This includes all levels of government, charities, foundations, public works projects, etc. Regarding the leaf pickup, now that residents have the compost cans it seems like an unnecessary cost. If I remember correctly, a council member proposed eliminating the street collection program because it would save the city somewhere in the six-figures. I don't know why it never went through. Janelle www.some-other-viewpoint.blogspot.com
AndyF
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2:05 p.m.
I have some issues that I haven't heard addressed by the pro millage folks. It seems to me that by passing this millage we are voting to maintain the current education structure, which I believe is out dated and needs to change. I would like to see a push for creating economies of scale in our school system. We have too many school districts in the county and I would like to see us combine superintendents and administrations into a more regional system. I understand how important it is for our children to be well educated, but I am having a hard time supporting the millage without changes to the education structure in our county.
YpsiLivin
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2:03 p.m.
Freemind, Your inability to see when you're being played like a violin is likewise sad.
Freemind42
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2:02 p.m.
For all those who think that because you do not have children in the area you have no vested interest in the schools you are grossly mistaken. What do you think the biggest factor towards property value is? Schools. Additionally, just because you don't have your own child in the school don't you think that it is important to educate ALL CHILDREN?! our society is only as strong as our weakest people. Stop being so egocentric and wake up to the reality of things.
YpsiLivin
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2 p.m.
Billy Mays' Ghost, I'm sure that when Dr. I Emsayin used the term "curmudgeon" s/he had you in mind. :) Thanks for the invitation, Dotdash. I have voted for past millages, even when I didn't think they had much to recommend them. In this case, however, the distribution formula is a recipe for disaster. This millage has the distinctive odor of a money grab. One large "donor" district and nine poormouths (most of which aren't really poor) combined with a long history of questionable spending on the part of the schools, spending plans for the proceeds that are painfully short on specifics, and no way to hold the schools accountable on either spending or student achievement gets a big NO THANKS from me. You can ask the superintendents to reduce their overhead all you want; you won't get anywhere. Force them to reduce overhead FIRST, then see whether they need additional funds. Once you give them extra cash, you have no leverage in the way it's spent. Ann Arbor gets about $2,000 more per student than most other districts in Washtenaw County, and yet they still say they don't get enough. How much is "enough"? With the schools, "enough" is like "tomorrow." It's always just around the corner, but we never seem to get there. For me, I've found "enough" and this millage is it. Taxpayers are treated like ATMs in Washtenaw County. Enough is enough.
Freemind42
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 1:57 p.m.
ypsilvin, your kneejerk reaction to a sincere essay about the value a decent student/teacher ratio is sad
Jim Mulchay
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 1:51 p.m.
Here are some of the groups getting credit for the retain the South State Post Office (it was nominated to be closed) - How many have spoken out on the Washtenaw WISD Millage? - Ann Arbor City Council; South University Area Association; Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority; Dingell's office;
dotdash
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 1:31 p.m.
I agree with YpsiLivin that the opinion of taxpayers without kids in the district should count as much as parents of kids in the district. We should ALL keep our eyes on the big picture: a society with better educated kids who can get and hold jobs, lower crime, fewer social problems related to poverty, higher property values, larger tax base, competitiveness in the world economy. Good schools are the foundation of all that. Come on, Ypsi, come over to the dark side and vote for the millage :)
grimdaddy1
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 1:27 p.m.
ben we can't say how much your wife the teacher is worth they don't get pay based on the job they do so how do you figure it out? teachers always play the victom and pretend it's only the students they care about, yet the first thing they complain about is the pay THEY recive. the teachers union is prob the worst union ever set up imo.stop whinning teach or get out for a new job don't act like a few hundred bucks more every year is no big deal for us.
dotdash
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 1:24 p.m.
There *is* a decrement in instructional quality when class size goes up -- a huge number of studies attest to this. The writer was putting a human face on it for us, but the data exists out there, unchallenged. Bigger classes = worse outcomes. Simple. I support and admire teachers to the max, but I have to admit being taken aback by what I've learned on these forums about the heavy administrative overhead of the high schools. I sympathize with those who complain about that, so I think I'm with A2Reality. I'm going to vote for the millage to keep the schools going and class sizes low, and then I'm going to ask the superintendent and school board to cut administration so we have a chance when the next round of cuts come from Lansing. Anybody want to join me?
YpsiLivin
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 1:11 p.m.
A2 Reality, You have it backwards. I wasn't calling anyone out. Another poster said of my initial comment: "My guess is that the nay-sayers are either landlords or old curmudgeons without children in the county's schools. " I'm saying that the schools are paid for by everyone so "old curmudgeons without children in the schools" have just as much right to comment on the millage as those who do. Their opinion is no less credible than those taxpayers who DO have children in the schools.
StarChild
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 1:08 p.m.
How much should a teacher get? In this economic climate, something between what your wife makes (too low) and what a lot of public school teachers are getting in AA (for example)... maybe not in salary but perhaps some concessions on benefits and retirement would be helpful. Check out this 2007 article from a now defunct newspaper: http://blog.mlive.com/ann_arbor_news_extra/2007/08/how_much_pay_for_teachers.html
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 1:01 p.m.
Jeff, I think you need to work on personal budgeting. It sounds like you're having trouble buying too many things. Michigan's teachers have the best compensation of any teachers in the country. For 183 days of work, adding in the benefits, the average teacher is making about $80k here. That's beyond amazing for a job where you get a full summer off. If you and your union friends voted yourselves a 20% pay cut, I might listen to you about the need for a millage. I value teachers. Maybe not as much as you value yourselves, but I value them. The problem with the unions is that they protect long-time members above everything else. That does tend to reduce jobs, increase class sizes. Before you try and guilt us into passing a millage that really will hurt people, try and guilt your union reps into accepting a more reasonable pay and benefit package for our troubled times.
BenWoodruff
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 1 p.m.
Now Starchild, how about answering my question.
BenWoodruff
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:58 p.m.
Wrong, Star Child. She teaches in an eastern Washtenaw County District.
red9seven
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:54 p.m.
As an AA homeowner, $137.50 of my $200 actually stays in AA. Of that $75 goes to teachers. That doesn't sound like a fair distribution. It's a sad situation, because I've been teaching for seven years (and my wife three times that), but it just doesn't make sense!
hockeymom
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:50 p.m.
"I", "I", "I". Geez.
StarChild
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:34 p.m.
BenWoodruff: Your wife clearly doesn't teach at a public school.
BenWoodruff
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:21 p.m.
I have asked this in other forums, but would ask here of those who think "teachers make too much and have benefits that are too good." Tell me please, How much do you think a teacher should be paid and what kind of benefits they should have? My spouse is a teacher with a Master's Degree and last year just broke $50,000 after 10 years. She also took a $3000.00 pay cut this year and has higher prescription and co-pays. So tell me please, what is a teacher worth?
A2Realilty
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:20 p.m.
YpsiLivin - Please be careful when you start calling out parents of children who are in the school system. For instance, I work from home and therefore it is highly likely that I use the roads less often than you. Will you be offering an apology to me for my tax dollars that are being used to maintain roads that you use? Of course not. Another example: When you retire and are taking social security and medicare and medicaid, will you be apologizing to the younger population who are paying into those programs to support you? Please keep in mind that these will be the same young people whom you didn't want to support in their education.
grimdaddy1
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:06 p.m.
do you have any proof that your smaller classes have been more productive or that your smaller classes have produced better students? i have to belive you have had years with larger classes then others so in those years you have compiled the stats to show us this money helps YOU? do more with less, teachers whine WAY to much you chose the teacher profession knowing the pay and then spend your time crying about it and fleecing your community.
slyde734
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:03 p.m.
What are you talking about....haven't you read these posts at all, you, as a teacher, are supposed to teach more students for less pay...and oh by the way, we demand complete and unquestioned excellence, even if we can't afford all of the supplies.Give me a break...you think I'm supposed to care if my kids get a good education, the community thrives and my property values increase.You should do more to earn my $4 per week...I need it. Bite me.
C. Alfaro
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:01 p.m.
Janelle, Of course State and Federal funded entities should have transparency and accountability, but why is it that Schools are put under more scrutiny than the politians that make the decisions? Ex: how much tax money went into picking up the leaves in AA last week before they had fallen? just a thought
mytwocents
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:50 a.m.
Janelle- Many school districts do post the information you mention. As an example, I just pulled up Dexter's budget. I believe they also post bids.
YpsiLivin
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:49 a.m.
Dr. I. Emsayin, I know it's painfully easy for you to dismiss me because I don't agree with you, but my point is that I don't like being bullied (complete with veiled threats against the students) into voting for additional monies to the school system when the schools HAVE NOT SHOWN that they've been fiscally responsible, and to the contrary HAVE SHOWN that they haven't been fiscally responsible. I have school-aged children. Whether my children are in a public school district or not isn't the issue. You are asking me as a Washtenaw County homeowner to voluntarily increase my taxes to pay for the schools. I have a vote whether I have children in the schools or not. If, for some reason, you think the right to vote on school millage elections should be reserved only for those people who have children in the schools, then you should be prepared to pay for the entire system yourself. If you want my tax dollars paying for your school system, you're going to have to listen to what I have to say. Frankly, I think you owe an apology to every taxpayer in the county who DOESN'T have children in the school system. Everyone's tax dollars go to educate your little Johnny and frankly, you seem more than just a little entitled and significantly less than grateful for the sacrifice that EVERYONE ELSE in the county is making so that your child(ren) can go to school. Don't despise the taxpayers who don't have children in the school systems. Without us, you'd either be paying for the whole mess yourself or your children would be going without.
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:24 a.m.
EyeheartA2: You missed the mark. Huron has 1 principal, 5 asst principals, Pioneer has 1 principal, 5 asst principals, Community has a 'Dean', Skyline has 1 principal, 2 asst principals,(and will add 3 more as grade levels are increased), Clemente has 1 principal, and Stone has 1 principal. Thats 18 administrators at 6 high schools, each making in the 6 figures. That's 18 principals for 5,589 high school students. That doesn't even count the Principals that have been moved to Balas (administration), and continue to collect their same salaries. This year there were 2, one from one of the above high schools. It's not about the teachers, it's about the administrative costs. In school buildings, as well as at Balas. AAPS totes a 16:1 student teacher ratio? Where? I know my high school student has 32-34 kids in every class, and by the way, I think the teachers do a wonderful job! It's time to take a hard look at administration, and start making cuts there, away from the classroom.
Janelle Baranowski
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:20 a.m.
The lack of transparency is what bothers me. If the schools published their budget for everyone to see, I think people would be more likely to vote for the millage. - We can see what the teacher's are making, but what about all the support staff? - What kinds of services have been sent out for bids? What were those bids? How much did this save? - How about those awesome benefits that we keep hearing about? What where they and what has been changed? What do the copays and premiums look like? - Let's see facts and figures. How much of a school's budget goes to various categories, such as: Pay, Heath Benefits, Retirement/Pension. What about Supplies, Building Maintenance, Books, Technology etc? - Maybe this information is available publicly but I haven't been able to find it. If all of this information was in a easily accessable, easily searchable, public database, I would have a lot more confidence voting Yes. - For a good example, check out "Track Your Taxes" on AG Cox's homepage. Any institution receiving public funds should be required to have something similar. http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164-34391-184786--,00.html
C. Alfaro
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 10:56 a.m.
I have always felt supporting education is one of the most important parts of contributing to my community. If parents can read and understand Jeff's article they will know we are so fotunate to have him in our school system. $200. is a small price to pay for...maintaining the standards in schools.
MelissaP
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 10:45 a.m.
Okay - please tell me how educators and administrators have taken a hit from this economy. We, non state, non educators have taken hit after hit, to both our salary and our healthcare packages. I think this needs to be equitable across all employment sectors. In addition to our salary reductions i have been asked to supply the classrooms with various items this year, not just the box of tissues! We have moved on to Post It notes, Playdough, Hand Sanitizer! And these requests came with promises of "extra credit" for our child. No, I think it is high time for reform within our school systems, not bail outs!
Hot Sam
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 10:38 a.m.
It's time for a village, not a millage... The signs are cute, but there could not be a worse time for an increase in taxes. While we have all experienced the dramatic reduction of our home values, those of us in the private sector have also been dealt a huge reduction in sales and revenues. I'm afraid education has not yet come close to the pain the rest of us are feeling. While I have no intention of claiming teachers get too much of any thing, I do think it would be a good time to really examine places like management and bureaucracy with a chain saw and not a scalpel. I have yet to hear a GOOD explanation as to why we need over 570 school districts in the state of Michigan. Perhaps we need to do some fund-raising, volunteering, and whatever else it takes the "village" to do to get over the hump. New taxes are the worst thing we can do right now! It takes a VILLAGE...NOT a MILLAGE!!!!!!!
David Briegel
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 10:29 a.m.
Matt, Compassion you ask? As we have all learned by now "Compassionate Conservative" is an oxymoron!
eCoaster
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 10:12 a.m.
While I may agree with your point, I have to take issue with the way you seemingly martyr yourself in order to make it. Many of us have been forced to change the way we work and the way we live due to the economy. That is reality. It demands a certain amount of resourcefulness and rethinking of priorities, both on a personal level and on an institutional level (i.e. AAPS). You and other teachers are not the only ones so taxed. We all have to make choices about what is important. Whether it is taking time to write a lengthy blog or watch the World Series or volunteer or play with our kids or provide students the attention they need.
John Galt
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 10:04 a.m.
Nice to hear the teachers point of view. However, this is more than $200. The average home in the city is probably closer to $200,000. Adding $400 to an annual tax bill that is the highest in the State. If they cannot adequately fund the schools with the current high taxes, then something is wrong. To ask for this type of money from people at this devastating economic time is wrong. Costs need to be cut. That is the fact in our private personal lives and it is the same for public schools.
aataxpayer
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 10 a.m.
This millage would be much easier to pass if the public really believed teachers have made financial sacrifices that are even close to those made by private sector employees. Have any local public school teachers accepted real pay cuts? Has any teachers union supported real reforms in state law to make negotiation fairer, reform tenure law, eliminate defined benefit pension for new hires, etc.? Where is the AAEA commentary on these issues?
A Voice of Reason
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:52 a.m.
How do you know how it will impact your classroom? Who is feeding you information about this?
Arboriginal
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:42 a.m.
What happened to the vote no op-ed piece that was before this one? OOps upside my head!
StarChild
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:42 a.m.
Acknowledging that my prior post might have come off a bit rough, but I'm sincerely on the fence about this millage and am frustrated by slanted scare tactic-type arguments being made by the pro side.
Jim Mulchay
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:42 a.m.
I think one issue is that the WISD millage is a bandaid that may help keep the status quo in Washtenaw County education but it will not provide a long-term solution (notice substantial reductions at the state level are expected in 2010/2011). Until there is an aggressive and realistic effort to reform, change or modify public school funding in Michigan all (not just Ann Arbor) school systems will be facing financial problems. The current elected officials (city, school board, state, governor - both parties) have not addressed this issue. The Washtenaw WISD millage is local, but the problem is state-wide.
Goodfriendofjazz
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:41 a.m.
Savings efforts and cuts need to be made by all in order to make sure Michigan's educational funds actually get to the students. How often has the district changed textbooks and materials and dumped thousands of dollars worth or educational materials in the dumpster? Is there some reason why teachers cannot pay more out of pocket for their health care benefits like the rest of us? It certainly is not because they are underpaid. Let's get real. Teachers have it pretty good here in Michigan - better than in most other states; step up and do your part to make sure our kids get what they need. It will call for sacrifice by all. Our students are already making the sacrifices by not having enough books, crowded classrooms, etc. Throwing more money into the pot to be spent on administrative costs and teachers' needs does not solve the problem.
StarChild
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:25 a.m.
Your point about having a hard time giving individual attention to each of your students is undermined by the fairly lengthy list of extra-curriculars in the bio following your column. Whether the millage passes or not, if you need more time to devote to struggling students, it might be a good idea to focus more on the job that you are (frankly) highly compensated for. And so that others no where this comes from, my wife is a teacher... I know what goes into the job and between her students and her family she doesn't have time for all of that much less maintaining a blog. I know that sounds harsh, but I think the point bears making.
uawisok
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:05 a.m.
60 cents a day is all this is going to cost me and I beleive our future depends on these kids getting the best education possible! All the no more tax crowd has an agenda of either getting rid of public education or aren't aware this is only the beginning of tax increases to support local school because Lansing is broke. My neighbor sends their kids to private schools and has a VOTE NO on additional millage in his front yard...see what I'm saying?
Dr. I. Emsayin
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 9:04 a.m.
Hello Mr. Kass, My understanding is that it does indeed hurt students to be in crowded classrooms for the very reasons you state. I have also heard that some classes at your school are already at 34 students and may grow larger if the millage does not pass. The comment from YpsiLivin sounds like it is not from someone with children in the school system. Those of us with children, who know our children's teachers, realize the impact of reduced programs, larger class sizes, closed neighborhood schools and outdated textbooks. My guess is that the nay-sayers are either landlords or old curmudgeons without children in the county's schools. Continue your fine work with teens, Mr. Kass! Let's get the millage passed!
YpsiLivin
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 8:40 a.m.
Have you ever tried approaching school district administrators in your district using these same scare tactics to convince them to reduce their administrative overhead? "Pay up or your kids get hurt" smacks of racketeering.