Today at 3:18pm a deal was reached in Lansing regarding the 2011, K-12 State Budget. It was the first time in recent years that this area of the budget was resolved by the start of the next fiscal year for most school districts. This years School Aid Fund (SAF) will allow for an increase of $11/pupil in funding.  This is what we send people to Lansing to do.

Major thumps up!

Now the next big hurdle, what to do with the unanticipated $350 million in the SAF ?  Some legislators want to shift those dollars from the SAF to the General Fund to fill a $300 million gap that currently exists there. Don’t let legislators shift those dollars! In my opinion, it should be used to restore any lost funding, to enhance educational opportunities (afterschool programs, extracurriculars, or specials) or should be saved for a rainy day fund in education. If those funds were intended for schools, they should stay in schools.

President Obama’s visit to Kalamazoo was an exciting moment for our community and highlighted so much about what we are doing right. We are in a great position as the city leading the nation in what going to college should be about.

As an educator, I’ve seen the struggles students go through both in and outside the classroom. If there are too many challenges in the classroom at a young age, we’ll never get those children to college to take advantage of what our community has awarded them. I will bring this knowledge and experience to Lansing.

But most of all, I want to wish the graduating classes of 2010 from all our community schools a very big congratulations and best of luck in their future endeavors…especially my fellow Giants.

Its has been a few weeks but we wanted to wrap up the Open Forum sponsored by WMU’s Office of Legislative Affairs held on May 18, 2010.

The event really showed off Chris’ passion and knowledge about the topics. Chris laid out a clear perspective about investing in our children and providing a quality education.

We’ve cut together a few clips from the event for you to watch. The whole event was about 2 hours so we kept it short to highlight a some key moments. Enjoy!

I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on all those that have served our country. This Memorial Day weekend, as we join families to grill out, officially usher in the summer season, enjoy an extended day off, and attend the annual downtown parade—its important to remember all those that have made brave and bold sacrifices for our freedoms. I can’t help but think that those that currently serve and have served before us have made it possible for people like me to run in free and open elections.

On the parade route on Monday, I ran into an old friend from my Middle School and High Schools days (standing along the parade route as we curved onto Riverview Dr). He is currently home for a short leave but has been overseas proudly serving our country as a Marine. I barely recognized him in his military uniform and could hardly believe he was the same guy I grew up alongside.

Each night, when I watch NewsHour on PBS and see names of young men and women scroll across the screen at the conclusion of the show —I can’t help but imagine how much these individuals and their familieis have sacrificed in the name of freedom. It hits home considering that atleast three individuals from my KC graduating class currently serve in the Armed Forces. My elementary friend alone, Brian J., served three tours— split between time in Afganistan and Iraq. I am so immensely grateful that he made it home safely. I think of these guys often.

The Monday parade had an estimated 3,000 parade attendees lined up along the lengthy  route to pay respects to veterans and all those actively serving. Many people held signs of commemoration or eagerly waved mini-American flags. About 100 parade participants remained for the post-ceremony in Riverside Cemetary. We heard patriotic tunes from the Loy Norrix and Kalamazoo Central Marching Bands. Attendees at the post-ceremony heard from a 89 year-old Korean War veteran who stood in the thunder shower to tell his story of service.

We will be posting pictures from the parade on Flikr in the coming days.

It is absolutely disgraceful that the proposed cuts in the state are coming from public education and higher learning institutions. Some schools districts will be faced with cuts of upwards of $433 per pupil because of the deferred cuts from the last budget settlement in Fall 2009.

The fifteen public universities in the state are now facing 3.1% cuts. In the early 80s, the state covered nearly 70% of public unversity costs, now the greatest burden is on students and families. Currently, in 2010, the state funds about 33% of the cost. The burden on families is simply too great to repeatedly face increased tuition bills each semester. This comes after earlier proposals to take away funds promised to students from the Michigan Promise program.

To me, one of the most disturbing figures comes from the amount of financial aid available to students this coming academic year. The amount available at WMU decreased from $5.7 million to $843,000. I largely depended on financial aid to get through college. This news assures that access to an affordable education to a person of low-income or poverty is nearly impossible.

My inspiration for this post is from a recent WMU News article posted on their website: http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2010/05/008.shtml

As a candidate in the upcoming election cycle, I have already had a large number of people ask about my sentiments regarding the proposed arena and 1% tax. I recently read the Phase Two (58pg) Report on the arena and have attended a couple info sessions on it. I’m curious to hear what you think about it. Post your thoughts below on the comment section.

I’m curious to hear what you have have to say about the follow questions:

1) Should the arena be placed on the ballot for the general public to decide its fate?

2) Do you think the arena project is a good idea and worth the money?

3) Do you think a 1% tax on restaurant bills is a fair way to pay for the arena?

Currently, there is a largely ignored and invisible injustice taking place around our state and country. It has to do with sexual orientation. I am so proud to live in a city that recently overwhelmingly passed Ordinance 1856, which seeks to prevent discrimination on this basis. Federally, law protects against discrimination on the basis of orientation only in public places. These laws negate the discrimination that occurs in private places of employment.

Nonetheless, the State of Michigan needs to pass a similar piece of legislation as Ord 1856. Twenty-two states (the District of Columbia), have broad coverage laws preventing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation—Michigan is not on that list. And of that list of 22, 18 states have exemption for religious institutions.

Discrimination goes far beyond broad anti-discrimination laws that are on the books for many other area of individual diversity. We need Ord 1856 caliber legislation in Michigan! Let’s stop dragging our feet. (more…)

As an fairly new educator, I am possibly facing a lay-off for the second year in a row. Not because of my job performance or passion for my kids, but because of my lack of seniority within my school.

Last year, I was lucky to have an administration that fought for months to keep me for the next school year.

A few days ago, our staff was pulled together to be informed of possible massive budget cuts ($700 million) that may take place through CPS in the coming six-months if the state or federal goverment does not step-in with serious funding action. Everything from afterschool/extracurriculum activities, class size increases to 37 per room, specials cut (gym, library, computers, art, and music), academic coaches cut, professional development scaled back, and cutting non-JV athletics. This is happening in Illinois and its frightening to imagine that Michigan might not be far behind, if we do not begin to seriously examine education funding at all levels.

Currrently, Michigan is planning on the largest per pupil funding cut in state history. Cuts could be as deep as $292 per student. Looking ahead, my greatest fear in funding comes when the federal stimulus dollars dry up in the year ahead. This $450 million in federal stimulus money saved schools from another $280-per-student decrease this school year. So what happens when this federal money is gone? We have a serious crisis on our hands. One that will negatively impact numerous policy areas in future years if we do not solve the way education is funded in our state. We cannot solely depend or survive on the inconsistent and instable forms of federal funding. (more…)

Happy Spring!
This weekend proved to be extremely representative of Spring, as events were sprouting up all over town. Maple Syrup Festival, Home Expo, Fretboard Festival, Polar Plunge, Google Fiber Lit Drops, International Fest, and the Annual ISAAC Dinner. So much to do, not enough time to do it all.

This weekend, we spent Saturday and Sunday venturing out around town to pass out literature in neighborhoods regarding Google Fiber. We mainly hit up the Stuart/Vine neighborhoods and numerous large apartment properties in the chilly and snow mixed weather. We were the only local campaign to send people to work for this cause. In doing so, we were followed and interviewed by Fox 17 and WWMT Channel 3 news cameras.

Saturday morning, we attended the third annual area Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics. This was a project that Katie Rollert and I brought to the area during our term as student leaders at WMU (in an effort to engage in more philanthropic causes). It is extremely exciting to see the fundraiser thriving to this day.

On Saturday night, we attended the annual ISAAC dinner. ISAAC is an organization that joins religious institutions from the area to fight for social justice issues. I’m eager to attend an upcoming event they are planning on April 24th on education policy.

On Sunday, we attended the annual International Festival, which was complete with live entertainment and performance and delicious food from around the world. I always look forward to the Mango Lassi dessert (typically served at the MSA table). Over a dozen international organizations and 3,000+ people were at this year’s event.

Currently, the Michigan Legislature is meddling over legislation to ban cell phone texting while driving. Its taking far too long to pass and its far too necessary. We need to refer to what has worked in other states and communities and do so quickly. We have laws on the books for Segway use but weak cell phone enforcement. Each passing day, more and more people will be frivolously injured or killed.

Here’s a neat blog following the texting law progress in Michigan.

Oprah started a “No Texting While Driving” Pledge. I just took it. Take the pledge at here.

Additionally, check out some valuable information from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).