Flint School Closing, do you know the issues?

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
12/14/08
By Terry Bankert
http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/

How would you feel if your school were to close in Flint? There is a good chance it may? Do you think it might be a good idea to study up on the why? Our school board will have to take care of the public business and only have open the schools it needs. But which one do we close?


We are waiting for a citizens report calling for half of the Flint Schools to be closed. Now its just a report but the board has to close schools and the sooner the better. Three options are on the table. This will reduce the district from 35 to 18 buildings. The elementaries will take the biggest hit. Do you know where your kids are going to school next year?


There is no financial middle ground if we want the district to stay out of bankruptcy.
We have had a huge drop in the number of students dropping from 46,000 students in the late 1960s to less than 15,000 today.

The report will be presented to the district at Wednesday's school board meeting. Committee of the whole starts at 5:30, regular meeting at 7 p.m., at the Sarvis Center 1231 E. Kearsley Street.
The Flint Journal reported:
• Three possible scenarios will be presented.
• Includes the possibility of closing nearly half of Flint's school buildings, from 35 to 18.
• Two scenarios are 14 elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools; and 12 elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools.
• Will name specific elementary schools recommended for closure but doesn't name secondary schools.
• Building a new high school and a couple of new elementary schools.
• The idea to return to "neighborhood elementary schools."
• Pre-school programs in every elementary school.
• Turning Flint schools into "green schools" that would make the district a model for other schools around the country.
• All schools having uniform standards so that there would no disparity between the quality of facilities,
• Massive building renovations and finding different ways to use school buildings.
• Improved maintenance plans to keep facilities in good shape.
• Possible ways to fund each scenario, which could cost at least $140 million. Could include a millage that would go to voters, bonds that would not need community approval, grants and other resources


Following is an educational series several volunteer put together previously to help you understand educational issues. I hope it helps you understand so you can create your own opinion and help to save public education in Flint MI. I hope to see you at the meeting.


Educational seminar Posted by PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT http://www.myspace.com/publicdevelopment

Public Develpment is a nonprofit organization that engages citizens with community issues, ideas, concerns, people, technology & solutions through the utilization & creation of public media.

Part one http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1979914808 On February 10, 2007, concerned Flint citizens again gathered at a workshop sponsored by Flint Attorney Terry Bankert, to address the future of the Flint Public School System. In this installment, Jim Richardson of the Great Schools Initiative outlines the "9 Standards for Great Schools" and more.

Part two http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2002293748 On February 10, concerned Flint citizens again gathered to address the future of the Flint Public School System. In this installment, 2007 Board of Ed. candidates introduce themselves & MCC political science professor Paul Rozycki outlines a history of public schools in Michigan.

Part three http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?useaction=vids.individual&videoid=2011191656 On February 10, concerned Flint citizens again gathered to address the future of the Flint Public School System. In this installment, former Beecher School Board Member, David Grant, outlines how his district addressed many of the same challenges now faced by Flint public schools.

Part Four http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?useaction=vids.individual&videoid=2012925757
On February 10, concerned Flint citizens again gathered to address the future of the Flint Public School System. In this installment, mayoral candidates Dale Weighill & Norm Bryant address the audience. Then, former State Rep. Jack Minore discusses how schools are funded.

Part Five http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2012977945 On February 10, concerned Flint citizens again gathered to address the future of the Flint Public School System. In this installment, former State Rep. Jack Minore continues his discussion of how schools are funded.


Posted Here by
Terry Bankert
attorneybankert@yahoo.com
see
http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/12/flint_schools_to_detail_plan_t.html

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