djahner

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 8:12 p.m.

Jake C, my experience tells me that the Michigan Education Association is ther root of the problem, primarily by continually standing in the way of choice. If they delivered such a great product why are charter schools thriving? As for parochial schools, my concern is that kids get a quality education, not that there is a cross on top of the building. By the way, as a parochial parent I personally discovered an educational model that delivered a high quality education for alot less money. In today's economic times that should mean something. As far as your agruments against every man for himself, it sounds like you wouldn,t mind then if the revenues from this millage would be shared with charters & parochial schools. Afterall it only seems fair. Kids are kids that deserve equal funding regardless of what building they walk into each morning.

PaperTiger

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 7:01 p.m.

It's a systems problem. Voting "yes" just reinforces bad behavior, just like being a parent. When you vote "yes", you're telling them that it's OK to keep doing the same thing. Only a "no" vote will force them to reevaluate the way they (school administrators) do business. Live within your means, like the rest of us have to do.

MCC

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 6:36 p.m.

Dr. Billy Mays ghost..... just for your information... Neal Elyakin is employed by the WISD... so supporting our schools will be supporting his salary and benefits!

WLParent

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 6:29 p.m.

Don Bee - Please get your facts straight before posting; you are incorrect in saying that children who live in Wayne County will benefit from this increase but will not pay for it!! If you live in one of the WISD school districts, then you vote on this millage - regardless of which county you live in. It is NOT decided by which county you live in if you can vote on it or not, but rather which school district you live in. There will be voters voting on this millage in Livingston, Wayne, Jackson, and Washtenaw counties. And, not only will they vote on this issue, but when the millage passes, they will also be paying the increased taxes along with you and me.

Steve Norton, MIPFS

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 6:23 p.m.

The point is, there were no good times for schools. School funding has barely kept up with inflation for the last decade. This is a consequence of how we fund, or fail to fund, our schools as a state. Unlike most of the private sector, public schools are not short of customers: schools still have the same number of kids to educate. (AAPS student count was up this year, and has been pretty steady for several years.) Demand for a good education has not gone down the way demand for houses and cars has fallen. What do we say to those kids, and their families, who are counting on a solid education to bring a better tomorrow?

anonamoose

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 6:16 p.m.

Thank you Jackie! Im glad the schools are closed on election day. As a parent, I dont want a bunch of unknown adults in the building where my children are.

Realistic Citizen

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 6:13 p.m.

BornNRaised, If what you say is true, cutting salaries to teachers and admin is $3.0MM at least it's a measure of "good faith" on their part to take salary decreases or benefit changes. What have they done to this point? Minimal at best compared to the public sector! I pay in between $450-$475 per month for my medical, dental, and vision plan (Blue Care Network HMO) before I even get to my co-pays!! What are our teachers, and administrators paying. Oh, by the way I work for a profitable Fortune 100 company and the only way we stay that way is that "EVERYONE" shares the costs of profitability and survivability long term. Making smart business decisions when times are good certainly are better than making threats to pass a millage so my kids can "sustain" their education during hard times. C'mon now.

Steve Norton, MIPFS

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 6:04 p.m.

It's getting late, and no one may read this, but I really want to correct two inaccuracies: This millage, if passed, would not cover the county. It would be levied on every household in one of the 10 school districts that are part of the WISD, no matter what county they live in. (That is: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Lincoln, Manchester, Milan, Saline, Whitmore Lake, Willow Run and Ypsilanti schools, including parts of Wayne, Monroe and Jackson counties.) If they don't live in the WISD area, they won't pay the tax, either. In other words, no one would pay the tax who would not see the benefit for their local schools, and vice versa. Second, whatever the City of Ann Arbor wants to do about sidewalk repair (or not) has nothing to do with schools. AAPS is a separate unit of government, and covers a whole lot of territory outside the City of Ann Arbor. City funds and school funds do not mix, and the city provides no funding for schools.

BornNRaised

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 5:22 p.m.

I have a question to all the self righteous individuals that seem so quick to decide the fates of so many teachers and kids: Since you seem so quick to want to cut all their benefits and salaries... what do you think a 1st year school teacher should make? What do you think a teacher that's been on the job for 30 years should make? I'm sure we can then take those numbers and contact all of your employers and let them know that you think the new salaries and benefits package is so fair that you'd be willing to take it to help out your employer. Spending is out of control, yes. Really think the teachers are doing it??? Make sure you clean your glass houses when you go home.

Jon Saalberg

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 5:20 p.m.

But, the City of A2 decided sidewalk replacement was a much higher mandate than keeping their schools in superior (considering our economy) financial shape. Wow. That makes sense. Punishing children because of needed sidewalks.

JackieBeaudry

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 5:07 p.m.

Regarding the school closure today, the City and AAPS have worked together for a number of November elections to coordinate the Professional Development Day (no kids) to take place on election day. Parents and voters alike have been very supportive of this decision. In November 2008, we received very positive feedback from voters regarding parking, better room assignment, etc. FYI - 21 of our 38 polling locations are in AAPS buildings. Jackie Beaudry, City Clerk

Lehigh

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 5 p.m.

All the complaints about overspending are valid -- but misguided. For those who say we should vote NO -- where does $15 million come from? Cutting overpaid administrators, reducing teacher benefits may get us $3 million, tops. Where does the other $12 million come from? Given that even if this passes there will still be cuts, I'm voting YES.

treetowncartel

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 4:50 p.m.

Those of you bringing up MESSA should first know that it is not the actual insurance compnay, rather it is a third party administrator. It should be noted that Blue Cross is currently being sued in its capacity as a third party administrator for several municiplaities across the state for fraud and breach of contract. They were alledgedly charging administrative fees that were never mentioned in the contract. Just a point of clarity for those who may not understand the arguments being made about MESSA and Blue Cross.

DonBee

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 4:29 p.m.

-$4,000 plus in overhead for every student in the county. -A $150K busing study for Ann Arbor that would have cut busing costs by over $1 million not acted on. -More than $2000 a teacher in MESSA costs (the insurance company owned by the teacher's union) that would be cut (without cutting benefits) by going directly to Blue Cross for the same policy (like Messa does in most of the state). -6 High Schools in Ann Arbor - one new and only half full. -500+ students from outside the county that will get the benefit of our taxes without having to pay them -3,500+ students in public schools in the county that are state supported that will not get the benefit of the money -About 300 families in the county that live in Wayne county school districts that will not be able to vote, but will have to pay the taxes. -Regular schedule pay raises for teachers and administrators, no matter how good they are or how bad they are - it just takes getting a new degree (underwater basket weaving counts) or being at the school for another year (years 1 to 11) or getting to 15 years. - 10 school districts in the county with 10 sets of administrators, 10 sets of buses, 10 sets of overhead. The schools are saying that if we don't give them the money - they will cut the classrooms, not fix the benefits, not fix the overhead, not implement the bus study, just cut at the children - this seems to be the tactic that the Governor used in the first place - Rather than working on the "fat" - I will cut you where it hurts. I will stay engaged if the millage fails, I hope all the other "NO" voters will too. OBTW - I have 3 in public school - AAPS and I am not a Republican or a Conservative and I have voted for tax increases in the past.

Kristine

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 4:19 p.m.

I voted ('no') at the Pittsfield Twp. administrative offices at about 12:30 this afternoon. It was kind of disheartening to note that I was only voter # 313 at that time of day.

Jake C

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 4:03 p.m.

"Vote NO! Charter school, parochial, and home-school parents pay taxes too! I wouldn't think of excluding your kids from my tax dollars." You do realize that charter schools are already funded by public tax dollars, right? And why should a religious school (whether christian or muslim or anything else) or home school be funded by public dollars? If I don't own a car, should I reject any taxes that go towards public roads? If I don't ride the bus, should I vote to shut down AATA? If I'm not homeless, should I vote to shut down the local homeless shelters? Do we really live in a society that believes in nothing but "every man for himself"? If you think that your tax dollars are being wasted on public school personnel (and personnel is the majority of pretty much every businesses' costs) please go down to your local school and tell someone to their face that you think they're overpaid or unnecessary. Perhaps the lunch lady? The gym teacher who gives most children their only exercise of their day, or the music teacher who exposes them to something besides Disney Pop music? Or one of the three first grade teachers in your school, if you think there should be 30 kids in 2 classes instead of 20 kids in 3 classes? Or the custodians who make sure your children's desks are disinfected each day to try and keep them safe from a flu virus? Please tell me what your personal or professional experience tells you where our unnecessary waste is in public schools, so we can get to the root of this problem.

Realistic Citizen

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 3:58 p.m.

In the public school sector here is where the problem is, in changing the LEADERS (School Board Members). The administrators are the ones that "hand pick" the board members. Then they go after all of the politial organizations in the city we all live in to get them voted in. It's straight line politics, a bunch of "yes men and women" sitting on the boards. They are nothing but "puppets" for the administrators to get what they want. Agreed change starts at the top, and rest assured from this point forward I will be at the board of education meetings finding out what is going on "day to day". Watch out for more "closed sessions" ahead!

ypsijake

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 3:50 p.m.

I voted 'no' on maintaining the status quo of 100k plus paid adminstrators who make through the roof building contracts and then complain about a few hundred bucks per student hit from Lansing. First take a pay cut administrators before asking non-parent taxpayers to help your system.

brad

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 3:38 p.m.

Vote yes. If you want to change where school boards are spending money (the policy decision), change the school boards (the policy deciders). A no vote will starve the beast, but you won't change the people who created the beast. I have no experience running a school system. If the experts say they need more money to fulfill their policy goals, at this point, I guess I have to trust them. Next election, though, there better be some accountability.

sbbuilder

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 3:38 p.m.

Ever heard of the straw that broke the camel's back? Of course we all want the finest schools. That isn't the issue, so stop saying that it is. The point being, is that what the 'yes' folks are saying is that there isn't one tiny little itsy bit of fat anywhere in the whole entire school system that can be efficiently cut. No no, say it ain't so. Instead, the students must be made to suffer post haste. No other choice. (Land deals in remote swampy regions to follow.) This camel isn't going to support any more straws.

FifT7

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 3:29 p.m.

I might have voted yes for the schools. But, the City of A2 decided sidewalk replacement was a much higher mandate than keeping their schools in superior (considering our economy) financial shape. And when you come to think of it... with so many people out of work and schools possibly needing to cut bus services, more people will need to walk instead of ride! So, I guess this is all starting to make sense.

mint20_00

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 3:18 p.m.

This is the SECOND year that the district has scheduled a professional development day on election day. I am pretty confident that they did it to make sure that the students are safe considering the amount of adults coming in and out of the school, (and not having to sign in) and to make it easier on the educators to vote. Last year we were voting for a president, this year a millage. It wasn't set up purposefully to help the millage.

ResidentAnvil

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 2:58 p.m.

already voted YES.

E. Manuel Goldstein

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 2:42 p.m.

Although I am not in favor of tax increases in general, I am voting Yes on this proposal. I am looking at it as an investment in all of our childrens' education and our community's future. Larger class sizes will not benefit anyone.

braggslaw

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 2:17 p.m.

I voted with my conscience. I voted NO!

djahner

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 1:55 p.m.

Vote NO! Charter school, parochial, and home-school parents pay taxes too!I wouldn't think of excluding your kids from my tax dollars.

bigace

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 1:55 p.m.

Tell us where the money's going FIRST!! Is this for a boost in teachers salaries? A boost in teacher pensions? A reduction in Health care costs for staff? OR are we going to buy books for my kids instead of sending them home with handouts from EdHelper.com! I'll vote NO for now.

treetowncartel

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 1:50 p.m.

Oh, I forgot to add, election day should be a National holiday anyhow, like the majority of the civilized world.

treetowncartel

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 1:48 p.m.

Dagny, I do think there are some freedom limitations put on registered sex offenders, I'm not one of them so I don't know. maybe that is something a newspaper reporte would look into.There is also that post 911 hype. You do know they lock all school doors from the outside now except the front entrance when school is in session and they prep for lockdowns now. Kind of a sad commentary on what society has become. Again, I am not saying that is the only reason Dagny, just something that probably gets taken into consideration. If I had a kid in school I would want limited access by the general public.

DagnyJ

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 1:41 p.m.

treetown, you're joking, right? Like a known sex offender would ONLY go to a school on election day, never any other day of the year. PS. Vote no. No evidence this money will improve schools, or improve teaching, or learning. And if it's just about money, there are places to cut.

treetowncartel

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 1:34 p.m.

i think one reason for closing the schools is because most of them are polling places. A regitered sex offender would have a pretty compelling constitutional claim if they were not allowed to enter the poling place where they vote. But, maybe some of you who are pointing this out in the no vote sector would like to see your governement have to waste money and payout a judgment on a lwasuit they can not win.

GoblueBeatOSU

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 1:27 p.m.

as I posted on the other thread.... Why would anyone consider voting for this tax increase...the schools have never told us how they will account for the money and how they will spend the money. If you are an Ann Arbor school taxpayer you are subsidizing the other public schools in the county. I can see Saline voting for this, for every dollar they put in they get more than a dollar back. Ann Arbor gets less than what they put into the pot. And renters....renters this will increase your rent. Washtenaw county is already in the top 6% of counties across the country paying the highest property tax. Top 6%. 94% of the counties in this country can get by paying less tax...94% pay less..why is that? This is Not about the teachers...this is about very poor management of the schools. The people at the top are the ones that need to go. I believe the teachers are doing the best they can. Management of the schools can't account for spending, haven't put in significant cost reduction programs...and worst of all...built a high school that isn't even needed with the dropping enrollment rates. Would you hire a contractor for you home and tell them to just send you a bill without asking any questions. That is exactly what Ann Arbor schools want...they want you to send them the money..and not ask the tough questions. VOTE NO on this very bad plan!! when Management of the schools bring us a real plan..that shows exactly how our tax dollars are being spent..and how that money benefits the kids..then I'll vote for the tax increase...no plan means a NO vote.

bud

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 1:17 p.m.

I am voting Yes.

ConcernedTaxPayer

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 1:15 p.m.

Interesting discussion with a few teachers who advised their Principal had let them know the secret to success for the millage ballot: - get out and vote 'yes' for the ballot measure - ensure your significant other votes 'yes' for the millage - get any / all relatives, neighbors and friends to support your cause and vote 'yes' The advice was to stuff the ballot boxes and offset any activists voting 'no' They use prior millages to demonstrate that if the teachers do their job and vote for it, and get their friends and relatives, they can win. Interesting to note that today, election day, the teachers have another 'professional development day' with no classes in the district. This is the 2nd one in 2 weeks. How ironic that the district schedules a day off on election day, and encoraging the teachers to use the time to get out the vote. Those truly opposed to seeing higher taxes as the solution to the mismanagement of the Ann Arbor Public Schools really need to get out and voice their outrage at this strategy. You might do what the teachers are doing and get your significant other, relatives and friends out to vote as well.

Martin Church

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 12:57 p.m.

Education begins and ends in the home. The schools should supplement what is being taught at home, not the other way around. Support the family to educate at home VOTE NO.

Eric78

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 12:48 p.m.

My wife and I voted no.....The union can make some concessions like alot of people have to in these times

Terese

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 12:43 p.m.

We moved here for the schools, like many. I will not let our schools slide without a fight. Pay now or pay later - if the schools slide, your home is worth squat.

moxy

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 12:16 p.m.

NO more money! NO more forced redistribution of wealth. NO more pigs-at-the-trough hiding behind 'The Children.' NO more gilded school buildings. NO more 5% raises EVERY YEAR. NO more being able to vote yourself a raise. NO more feel-good programs, back to basics. NO more!!!!

treetowncartel

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 12:13 p.m.

As I posted elsewhere, what a lowsy turnout in my precint. I voted yes at 10:00 am and I was only the 24th person through the door. Last year for the presidential election I waited in line for almost an hour. Everything starts locally people, get out and vote, regardless of your position. Wars were fought for our soverignty, the only reason you should miss an election is if your six feet under.

icegoalie

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 12:07 p.m.

Please VOTE YES in the Washtenaw Schools Millage election! This is our chance to keep our schools great as we take our childrens and communitys -- future back into our own hands. We need to get every yes voter to the poll! Help is NOT on the way! The goal of the millage is to offset the severe cuts in the funds we receive from the state. In the past two weeks alone, we learned that Ann Arbor s state funding will be cut an additional $9 million this year (on top of a $2 million shortfall addressed in the budget in June) and a $15 - $18 million shortfall next year. Even with the millage, Ann Arbor faces a deficit. The millage is the only way, by law, for Ann Arbor to raise additional funds. Grab a friend. Watch a neighbors child while he or she goes to the poll. Above all, please go out and VOTE YES!

TruBlue

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 11:59 a.m.

More people will lose their jobs and homes if this thing passes. Vote NO.

MCC

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 11:59 a.m.

VOTE NO, It's too much money, when most people can not afford it. When school districts have an actual plan of action, not 'we're going to work with Lansing' tfor change, then I might vote for the millage. but Today, No PLAN, VOTE NO

Realistic Citizen

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 11:34 a.m.

Yes, Lansing needs to restructure school financing now! Yes, our county has some of the best schools, families, and highest paid teachers! Yes, The state needs to fix the way we fund schools so we minimize the forecasted pain our schools are suffering under. Yes, teachers and administrators need to get their income and benefits in line with the rest of economy. Yes, even with this millage unless Lansing and all schools get inline with pay and benefit packages we will continue to fight the battle of 60-70% of our taxes going directly to teachers and administrators. Who is first...teacher/administrators pay or the kids? Yes, Vote (NO) today to make sure schools, teachers, administrators, Board of Educations and Lansing are forced to make changes that get budgets in line with every day working peoples incomes that pay the taxes to keep our childrens education the highest priority!!!

Dan

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 11:28 a.m.

No, more money has not been shown to improve scholastic performance.

Neal Elyakin

Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 10:43 a.m.

Yes, Lansing needs to restructure how it funds schools. Yes, our county has some of the best schools, families, and teachers. Yes, our schools will suffer under the state's new budget. Yes, our children's educational programming will take a direct hit. Yes, this millage will help maintain the excellence. Yes, without this millage the pain to the schools will be immediate. Yes, vote today to support the schools.