Talk Sup’t. - 3/11/2011
Congratulations!
Senior Avery Hasenauer – Wrestling
Check out our new local online newspaper, the West Bloomfield Patch. They have begun a weekly feature on Wednesday spotlighting Whiz Kids, kids who are ‘successful, talented and just plain awesome’. This week’s Whiz Kids is senior Avery Hasenauer, who placed sixth in the individual wrestling finals last week.
The Green Power of One – What Can *I* do?
The LWVOA (League of Women Voters of Oakland) sponsored a contest to create a Public Service Announcement to emphasize the opportunities and responsibility of each individual to conserve energy.
Students Shelby Bruseloff, Allie Ravid, Nikhil Mankuzhy, Kara Brody and Kelly Giuliani have won SECOND PLACE in the TV category.
Their PSA (Public Service Announcement) will be shown on March 31 at 7 pm at the WB Public Library as they receive their award from LWVOA, and later on several TV stations. Watch for it!!
NEGOTIATIONS
The Administration met with the West Bloomfield Education Association (WBEA), the Union that represents the Teachers of the district, on March 8.
The Board of Education is committed to keeping fiscal responsibility. The union has not put anything on the table that would generate a significant amount to meet the district’s needs or allow us to reach an agreement. We have another negotiation session scheduled with the mediator for March 24. There may be a session before then without a mediator. We will keep you informed.
You may view the Deficit Elimination Plan at http://www.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/files/filesystem/DeficitEliminationPlan.pdf
COFFEE TALK
Last night at our Coffee Talk at Orchard Lake Middle School, Tom Goulding presented our current financial status and what the Governor’s budget proposal will mean to our funding.
Differing voices were able to express their positions on all matters of cost cutting.
As has been our practice, Dr. Robert Martin asks all those who attend the Coffee Talks to place suggestions on Post-It notes and apply them to a large sheet divided between Reductions and Non-Negotiable items. All of the suggestions that have been generated from our Coffee Talks are being compiled and will be posted online soon.
Our next step is going to be to establish an online survey of these suggestions so that all members of the community can see the input and the cost cutting measures that have come to the attention of the board.
With this level of communication, these are the voices that we want to help our district to help us move forward. We have the responsibility to help our students to be the best IN and FOR the world.
Tom Goulding attended Fridays’ morning’s legislative breakfast and summarized these comments and suggestions that were made from and to the legislators that were present:
· Plan on, at least for right now, the $470.00/pupil reduction in the foundation allowance. The legislators indicated they are trying to lessen the blow but for the time being plan on the full amount.
· The robbing of state aid for community colleges and universities drew considerable discussion>The superintendents felt that if this funding goes through then community colleges and universities should be under the same disclosure and transparency requirements as local school districts. Several superintendents also expressed that they would no longer support community college millage elections if school funding for same is approved. There was also talk of a possible legal challenge but that could take years. We also had lively discussion regarding the true intent of Proposal A, which was to fund K-12 and not higher education.
· There were ideas that suggested, and in light of the state controlling school funding, that we ego to a state-wide compensation plan for all public school employees and indexed to regional cost differences around the state and further do the same with state-wide healthy insurance. We also told legislators that if you want school district consolidation, then, mandate it.
· All of this being said, the following is another update on where we might be pending a final state budget:
- Per pupil reduction $ 470/pupil
- Pension increase 230/pupil
- Sp. Ed. PA-18 Reduction 152/pupil
- Total per pupil $ 852/pupil
- Total Dollars $5,803,824
· We also expect approval of the EFM bill (Emergency Financial Manager) and also the bill that would restrict payment of step increases and health insurance premium increase until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.
You can view Tom Goulding’s PowerPoint presentation at
PCN – MEET AND GREET YOUR LEGISLATORS
(Parent Communication Network)
The next PCN meeting will be held at West Bloomfield High School on Wednesday evening , March 16 at 7:00 pm. This is a Meet and Greet Your Legislators with Senator Mike Kowall and Representative Lisa Brown who will be there to hear your opinions on the state of our budget. The severity of the proposed cuts from Lansing could devastate school districts like West Bloomfield. If a difference is to be made it will be at the legislative level. Please join us to hear what our legislators have to share with us.
SOC
Applications for School Of Choice are being accepted at this time now through March 30 for Kindergarten -3rd grade with very limited openings in grades 2-3. The lottery will be held on April 13.
MARCH IS READING MONTH AT EALY
Come to Ealy next Tuesday Wednesday or Thursday and for just fifty cents, you can sit on the Reading Throne during their Read-A-Thon Marathon and read a story to students. Pick any day to read from March 15 - 17, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm, and help keep the Throne occupied all day!
Ready, get set, read! Ealy Elementary students are celebrating March is Reading Month by participating in activities keeping with the theme of "Run With a Good Book ... Exercise Your Mind!”. Each week, students are logging their daily reading and earning "classroom miles" for time spent reading at home. Other highlights of the month include PTO sponsored Pajamas and Cookies Read-in, Spirit Days, All School Reading Bingo, a classroom door decorating contest, and a USED book sale.
I encourage parents to teach their children to engage in all reading opportunities. The pay-off is worth it!
SOS CAMPAIGN – YOUR DONATION STILL MATTERS!
This year the foundation is asking for the same commitment of $1/day for each student or any amount with which you are comfortable. Please go to our website at www.wbef.org to make your online donation. The WBEF focus for the 2010-2011 academic year is on the purchase of specific textbooks, adding technology and supporting the Arts. This year you may earmark your donation where you feel the need is greatest.
If you have any questions regarding the campaign, please contact the foundation at info@wbef.org. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online at www.wbef.org or by sending checks payable to the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, MI. 48324.
EARLY CHILDHOOD OPEN HOUSE
On Wednesday, March 16, West Bloomfield Community Education Preschool Academy will be holding an Open House from 4:00 – 6:30 pm at Ealy Elementary and at our ACS Building at Hiller and Commerce. Come visit us or tell your neighbors about our Preschool that is celebrating 25 years. There will be a model classroom with refreshments, drawings for prizes, fun activities for the kids and registration on-site. Stop in and see what our Preschool Academy is all about.
Have a GREAT WEEKEND!
