Drinking husband loses the family farm partly to wife.

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
1/30/09
bY
Terry Bankert


The information following is intended for media distribution and is modified for that purpose. Please read the unmodified version at http://terrybankert.blogspot.com/ and consult an attorney before you rely on this information.

I am a Flint Divorce Lawyer or Attorney practicing Family Law in Flint Mi. The issues delt with are child custody, child support, parenting time, spousal support and grandparents rights in Flint Michigan. Every Saturday on WFLT 1420 AM Radio in Flint at 9 AM I host a show called " Know the Law".

This is a call in program 239-5733 (810) where often I discuss recently released Court of Appeals decisions taking the uniques issues and applying them to everyday situations in the Genesee County Family Court. You are invited to participate in this discussion.

The greater good is that through information familes are better equiped to confront the harsh issues facing their family in turmoil. It is sad that 50% of families face divorce in America. A word to the wise, the grass is seldom greener on the other side. Consult family, church and counselors before you make the decision to divorce. And always remember your children are watching, listening and hurting, conduct yourself accordingly.
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To day we talk about a recent unpublished Michigan Court of Appeals case.
The Issues are :
Divorce;
Property division; Sparks v. Sparks; Dart v. Dart;
Division of the farm property; Hanaway v. Hanaway; Reeves v. Reeves;
Division of farm rental income;
Attorney fees; Reed v. Reed; MCL 552.13; MCR 3.206(C); Smith v. Smith;
Alleged misconduct as a basis to sustain the award of attorney fees

Court: Michigan Court of Appeals (Unpublished)Case Name: Bowser v. Bowsere-Journal Number: 41617Judge(s): Per Curiam - Hoekstra, Whitbeck, and Talbot

The trial court did not err in concluding the farm was not separate property where it was clear both parties actively managed the farm and the proceeds were partly used for marital purposes.The parties did not dispute the 78 percent of the property at issue was a gift from the defendant-husband's parents and held in his trust.

Defendant argued the trial court erred in determining the whole of the farm was a marital asset subject to division, contending the record showed he maintained a separate 78 percent interest in the farm, which was not divisible as a marital asset.The court noted the farm was a fully operational business, first as a cow-milking operation and then for selling cash crops.

While the record showed a dispute about how much involvement the plaintiff-wife had, the case was analogous to the business in Hanaway.It was clear from the record the farm account, which was funded with proceeds from the farm's milking operation, cash crops, and rental income, was used to pay electricity, propane, and car insurance bills for the family, as well as for farm and property-related expenses.

The court also was not left with a definite and firm conviction the trial court's division of the farm rental income was inequitable.However, the court reversed and remanded the trial court's award of attorney fees to the plaintiff, concluding she did not meet her burden to show she was unable to cover her attorney fees and she did not establish the defendant was able to pay the fees as required by MCR 3.206(C)(2)(a).

Plaintiff also failed to demonstrate the fees she requested were incurred due to defendant's alleged misconduct.On remand, the trial court was instructed to make findings about plaintiff's financial needs and whether defendant's misconduct directly resulted in plaintiff incurring the fees she requested. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.—

full case follows
S T A T E O F M I C H I G A NC O U R T O F A P P E A L S
MARGARET ANN BOWSER,Plaintiff-Appellee,
UNPUBLISHED
January 22, 2009v No. 279007Saginaw Circuit CourtTIM HOWARD BOWSER,LC No. 02-044743-DMDefendant-Appellant.Before: Hoekstra, P.J., and Whitbeck and Talbot, JJ.
E-journal 41617

[ I have added spacing. Parts of the opinion deleted will show as ... additions will be blocked in as here. Most BLOCK headlines are mine.-trb]

PER CURIAM.
Defendant Tim Bowser appeals from the parties’ judgment of divorce.
Tim Bowser’s issues on appeal involve the property division and an award of attorney’s fees to plaintiffMargaret Bowser.
We affirm in part [agree], reverse in part [disagree], and remand for further consideration ofcertain specified matters consistent with this opinion [the lower court has to do part of it over again because it was wrong.].
I. Basic Facts And Procedural History

MARRIED 1977, WIFE 16 , THREE ADULT CHILDREN
The parties were married in 1977. They met when Margaret Bowser was a little overfifteen years old. Margaret Bowser moved in with Tim Bowser a year before their weddingwhen she was seventeen. Three children were born during the marriage, all of whom are nowadults.

FARMER HUSBAND INHERITED A FARM
Tim Bowser’s father was a dairy farmer who inherited 40 acres from his father and thencontinued to add acreage until the property, known as Bowser Farms, was 288 acres and had twohouses on it. 100 percent interest in Bowser Farms Limited Partnership was held in the TimBowser Revocable Living Trust.

78 PERCENT OF THE FARM WAS INHERITED FROM HUSBANDS FAMILY
78 percent interest in the property was acquired by TimBowser’s trust as a gift from his parents.
Before 1995, it was a cow milking operation.
The cows were then sold and from then onward crops were grown to be sold.

THE FARM IS WORTH $600,000
The property was appraised twice: once in 2002 at $520,000 and once in 2005 at $600,000.
An annuity payable to Tim Bowser’s parents was set up in 1982 to buy a 16 percent interest in the limited partnership portion in the farm.
To pay the annuity, $1,320 was monthly taken out of a farm account intowhich farm proceeds were deposited and from which farm-operating expenses were paid.

FAMILY MONEY WAS USED TO PAY FOR THE FARM, WIFES NAME ON DOCUMENTS SHE THOUGH SHE WAS BUYING INTO THE FARM
Margaret Bowser was obligated by a promissory note for part of the annuity fund and issuedsome of the checks to the annuity fund for Tim Bowser’s parents.
Margaret Bowser testified that she believed that she and Tim Bowser were making annuity payments in order to purchase the whole farm and that they owned the farm jointly. Margaret Bowser, along with Tim Bowser and-2-his parents, signed a quitclaim deed in 1991, which released Margaret Bowser’s interest in theproperty and named Tim Bowser as sole trustee of the trust that held the property.

WIFE DID NOT KNOW SHE HAD SIGNED AWAY HER RIGHTS
Margaret Bowser testified that she did not read the deed before signing it, did not receive an advance copy of the document, and was not told the scope of the document.

WIFE ACTIVELY WORKED THE FARM
Margaret Bowser testified that she has been working on the farm ever since she met TimBowser. Margaret Bowser and her daughter, Lisa Montgomery, testified that Margaret Bowserhelped with the dairy farm, drove tractors, helped cultivate crops, kept the lawn, and did thebookkeeping. She did this work in addition to keeping the house, cooking, and raising thechildren. Tim Bowser testified that his parents, who worked the farm previously, worked rightalongside each other and that he would describe his work relationship with Margaret Bowser asthe same. Tim Bowser also testified that Margaret Bowser helped on the farm for five weeksduring the growing season and only occasionally worked an 11- or 12-hour day.

WIFE FILED FOR DIVORCE BECASUE OF THE HUSBANDS DRINKING
Margaret Bowser testified that she filed for divorce because of Tim Bowser’s drinkingproblems.

WIFE MOVED TO ANOTHER HOUSE ON THE PROPERTY
In June 2002, Margaret Bowser moved from the marital home to the second house onthe property with one of her daughters. Tim Bowser claims he paid almost $13,000 from thefarm account to have repairs done to that second house. In 2005, the net profit on the farm was$7,704 and an additional $2,193 was received from a government farm subsidy program. In2005, Margaret Bowser took $500 out of the farm account to reimburse herself for fixing a gasleak at the second house. Tim Bowser paid his car insurance from the farm account. During2004 and 2005, Tim Bowser paid both his and Margaret Bowser’s propane and electricity billsfrom farm proceeds. Replacement of tools and replacement of a tool shed after a fire were alsopaid from the farm account. Tim Bowser testified that Margaret Bowser left the second housewith significant damage.

HUSBAND STOPPED FARMING AND RENTED IT OUT
In 2004 and 2005, Margaret Bowser and Tim Bowser filed their taxes separately.Beginning in 2004, Tim Bowser decided to stop farming the property and he rented it out forabout $23,870 a year for two years. The proceeds from crops in 2004 and 2005 were included onTim Bowser’s income tax returns. Margaret Bowser testified that she did not pay any incometaxes on those proceeds.

THE FARM IS A MARITAL ASSET SUBJECT TO DISTRIBUTION HUSBAND DID NOT KEEP THE PROPERTY SEPARATE.
Regarding Bowser Farms, the trial court concluded as follows:The Court finds that the entirety of the real property comprising BowserFarms is a marital asset subject to equitable distribution. [Tim Bowser]’s claimthat 78% of the Farm is separate property fails, due to the fact that he failed tokeep any part of the [f]arm real property or farm business separate. All theevidence is that Bowser Farms was, during all times alluded-to [sic] in the record,maintained and operated as a single commercial enterprise.Tim Bowser now appeals.-3-II. Division Of Assets
A. Standard Of ReviewWe review the trial court’s factual findings for clear error.
1 "A finding is clearlyerroneous if this Court, on all the evidence, is left with a definite and firm conviction that amistake was made; the appellant bears the burden of showing that a mistake was made."2 If noclear error is found, we will uphold the trial court’s ultimate dispositional ruling unless we areleft with a firm conviction that the property division was inequitable in light of the facts.3

B. Division Of The Farm Property

Property that is received by one spouse as an inheritance but is kept separate from maritalproperty is generally deemed to be separate property that is not subject to division.4
However,the nature of a separate asset acquired by one spouse as a gift can change and become maritalproperty if the asset is managed actively and its proceeds are used for marital purposes.5
The parties do not dispute that the 78 percent of the property in question was a gift fromTim Bowser’s parents and held in Tim Bowser’s trust. But Tim Bowser argues that the trialcourt erred in concluding that the whole of the farm was a marital asset subject to division. TimBowser asserts that the record shows that he maintained a separate 78 percent interest in the farmthat was not divisible as a marital asset.
Tim Bowser relies on several cases to support his position.
In Hanaway v Hanaway, thisCourt concluded that because the plaintiff solely handled the child-rearing and household duties,thereby freeing the defendant to build his family’s company and increase the value of thecompany stock that had been gifted to him over the years by his father, the trial court erred intreating the company as the defendant’s separate property.6
In Reeves v Reeves, this Courtconcluded that the marital estate should include the appreciation in value of separate assets thatthe defendant actively managed during the marriage while other passive investments should beexcluded.7
The Supreme Court agreed with the rationale this Court applied in these cases in1 Sparks v Sparks, 440 Mich 141, 151; 485 NW2d 893 (1992).2 Berger v Berger, 277 Mich App 700, 723; 747 NW2d 336 (2008) (quotation and citationomitted).3 Sparks, supra at 152.4 Dart v Dart, 460 Mich 573, 584-585; 597 NW2d 82 (1999).5 See, e.g., Reeves v Reeves, 226 Mich App 490, 495-497; 575 NW2d 1 (1998); Hanaway vHanaway, 208 Mich App 278, 293-294; 527 NW2d 792 (1995).6 Hanaway, supra at 293-294.7 Reeves, supra at 495-497.-4-Dart v Dart: "We recognize that, in certain situations, a spouse’s separate assets, or theappreciation in their value during the marriage, may be included in the marital estate."8

WIFE AND HUSBAND MANAGED THE FARM, SHE EARNED HER INTEREST
Here, it is clear that both parties actively managed the farm, which was a fullyoperational business, first as a cow-milking operation and then for selling cash crops. The recorddoes reflect a dispute as to how much involvement Margaret Bowser had. Regardless, the assetwas actively managed, and, analogous to the business in Hanaway, the proceeds were partly usedfor marital purposes.

A TRUST DOES NOT KEEP IT FROM THE WIFE WHO ACTIVELY WORKED THE FARM
Tim Bowser focuses on the trust and the farm funds, asserting that theyremained separate property and were not co-mingled with marital property. However, it is clearfrom the record that the farm account, which was funded with proceeds from the farm’s milkingoperation, cash crops, and rental income, was used not only to pay farm and property-relatedexpenses, but also to pay propane, electricity, and car insurance bills for the family.
Thus, thetrial court did not err in concluding that the farm was not separate property, and it properly madefactual findings to support this conclusion.

C. Division Of Farm Rental Income
Tim Bowser contends that the division of the $47,740 in farm rental income from 2004and 2005 was improper because: (1) Margaret Bowser only had a 22 percent interest in the farmand (2) the money was not available for distribution to either party because it was spent on farmrelatedexpenses and the mutual support of the parties.
With respect to his first contention, Tim Bowser argues that, if this Court concludes thatthe 78 percent interest in Bowser Farms should not have been divided as a marital asset, then the78 percent of the income from renting the farm in 2004 and 2005 should also not be divided as amarital asset. This argument fails, however, because, as concluded above, the trial court did noterr in finding that the farm was not separate property.

Regarding Tim Bowser’s second contention, in concluding that $47,740 in rental incomewas part of the marital estate, consisting of $23,870 for each 2004 and 2005, the trial courtreasoned that the amount had a "solid basis in the evidence." Tim Bowser claims that the trialcourt clearly erred in this finding because the rental income received in 2004 and 2005 had beenspent on the farm and the parties’ expenses.

We disagree. First, Tim Bowser has not properlypresented this argument by failing to offer any authority in support of this claim.9 Second, thereis no dispute that the rental income for 2004 and 2005 was $47,740, and besides presenting a taxreturn form for calendar year 2004, Tim Bowser presented no documentary evidence to supporthis claims regarding the distribution of the rental income for 2005 or regarding how he spent anyof the rental income.10 Accordingly, we are not left with a definite and firm conviction that thetrial court’s division of the rental income was inequitable.
8 Dart, supra at 585 n 6.9 See In re Indiana Michigan Power Co, 275 Mich App 369, 376; 738 NW2d 289 (2007).10 See Ward v Conrail, 472 Mich 77, 85-86; 693 NW2d 366 (2005); M Civ JI 6.01.-5-III. Attorney Fees

WIFE WAS AWARDED ATTORNEY FEES
A. Standard Of Review
Tim Bowser appeals the award of attorney fees to Margaret Bowser, arguing that she iscapable of paying the fees herself because she will be awarded a large sum of money andbecause she has higher earnings than he does. We review the trial court’s grant of attorney feesfor an abuse of discretion.11 We review for clear error the findings of fact on which the courtbases its award of fees, and we review de novo any questions of law.12 "An abuse of discretionoccurs when a court selects an outcome that is not within the range of reasonable and principledoutcomes."13
B. Legal Standards
In general, attorney fees are not recoverable unless authorized by statute, court rule, orcommon law.14 In domestic relations cases, the granting of attorneys fees are authorized bystatute and by court rule.15 The requesting party must allege facts to show that he or she isunable to cover the expense of the court action and that the other party is able to pay or that thefees were incurred because the other party refused to comply with a court order.16 The partyshould not be required to invade assets being used for support to satisfy attorney fees.17
C. Application
Margaret Bowser first argues that the award should be sustained because the cashdistribution received from the divorce, which she asserts she relies on for support, cannot beinvaded to cover her attorney’s fees. However, evidence in the record showing that MargaretBowser will rely on those funds for support is scarce. It is true that neither party was awardedspousal support. But the record shows that in addition to the large cash distribution coming toMargaret Bowser, she has an earning capacity commensurate with her degree and that she isemployed.
Margaret Bowser testified at trial that she was then making $16.73 an hour andworking 72 hours a pay period. Margaret Bowser has not provided documentation of herinability to cover expenses. Thus, Margaret Bowser did not meet her burden to show that she isunable to cover her attorney fees. Moreover, Margaret Bowser did not show that Tim Bowserwas able to pay the fees as required by MCR 3.206(C)(2)(a).11 Reed v Reed, 265 Mich App 131, 164; 693 NW2d 825 (2005).12 Id.13 Borowsky v Borowsky, 273 Mich App 666, 672; 733 NW2d 71 (2007).14 Reed, supra at 164.15 MCL 552.13; MCR 3.206(C); Reed, supra at 164.16 MCR 3.206(C)(2); see also Smith v Smith, 278 Mich App 198, 207-208; 748 NW2d 258(2008).17 Smith, supra at 207.-
6-

MISCONDUCT BY BOTH PARTIES
Margaret Bowser’s second argument to sustain the award is based on Tim Bowser’salleged misconduct. Even if the party requesting fees does not require financial assistance, thetrial court may award attorney fees if there has been misconduct by the other party that directlyresulted in the amount requested.18 In the instant case, the record shows misconduct by bothparties regarding the court proceedings.

HUSBAND PAID HIMSELF
Tim Bowser paid himself wages in violation of thestipulated order regarding the farm account disbursements and the trial court had to reimburseMargaret Bowser for that amount.

HUSBAND STOPPED DOUCUMENTING FINANCES OF THE FARM
In addition, Tim Bowser stopped documenting and reportingon proceeds from the farm operations, ignoring subpoenas because "they came so numerously[he] got tired of taking time off from work to answer them." Tim Bowser also continued tomake payments from the account and did not account for them after April 2005, as required bythe order.

WIFE FILED A FRIVIOULS MOTION FOR SPOUSAL SUPPORT CLAIMING TO NOT BE WROKING WHEN SHE WAS.
Conversely, Margaret Bowser caused extra litigation by filing a frivolous motion forsupport in October 2004, claiming that she was unemployed. But employment records andMargaret Bowser’s 2004 tax return show that she had in fact been employed since July 2004.
The motion was later abandoned. Further, like the plaintiff in Reed v Reed, Margaret Bowser didnot establish that the fees she requested were incurred as a result of Tim Bowser’s misconduct.19
Under these circumstances, we reverse and remand the trial court’s award of attorneyfees. On remand, the trial court must make findings regarding Margaret Bowser’s financialneeds and whether Tim Bowser’s misconduct directly resulted in the incurrence of the feesrequested.
*Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings consistent withthis opinion. No taxable costs pursuant to MCR 7.219, neither party having prevailed in full.We do not retain jurisdiction./s/ Joel P. Hoekstra/s/ William C. Whitbeck/s/ Michael J. Talbot18 Reed, supra at 165.19 Id.

Posted here by Terry Bankert

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GORE WARMS UP

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
1 /29/09
By Terry Bankert
http://attorneybankert.com/

ARE YOU LISTENING! Al Gore has made an impact and Congress appears to listening to scientists and acting on Global Warming.

Gore went to congress to support Obama initiated stimulus package. Gore stated "The plan's unprecedented and critical investments in four key areas -- energy efficiency, renewable, a unified national energy smart grid, and the move to clean cars -- represent an important down payment and are long overdue.”

Our planet earth nears a tipping point of irreversible damage global warming will inflict on humans. We must have an international treaty on carbon emissions. Otherwise harm from Climate change will include permanent coastal flooding from rising sea levels, agricultural deterioration and the spread of tropical diseases to temperate climates.

Things have changed for Gore his message and credibility. He is determined to argue for policy that curbs greenhouse gas emissions.“ Gore's essential message was well received, that despite economic woes, this is the year to enact mandatory limits on carbon emissions and reach a global climate agreement to reduce heat-trapping gases and slow down deforestation.”

But some republicans continue to beat the drum global warming is not happening. Possibly they think if we put or heads in the sand the problem will go away.”During the hearing, Republican staffers handed out a statement contending that there are "significant objections" to claims about climate change. The document, which did not name Gore, said there is "a continued international outpouring of skeptical scientists" along with research "to refute warming fears."

I agree with Gore , America is the only country that can lead internationally on this critical issue. Global Warming/ climate change. Gore is a powerful advocate for change.“The Goracle's powers seem to come from his ability to scare the bejesus out of people. " "We must face up to this urgent and unprecedented threat to the existence of our civilization," he said. And: "This is the most serious challenge the world has ever faced." And: It "could completely end human civilization, and it is rushing at us with such speed and force."

“ President Obama puts the administration on the path of environmental protection. He is promoting “increase in the fuel efficiency of vehicles and signaling that California and other states will be able to enforce tough emissions standards.”

The scientific evidence is in , now policy leaders must act. “Obama said he wants to revive U.S. leadership on climate change, heading into an international conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December designed to produce a successor treaty to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol that the United States turned against.” “Gore urged Congress to adopt the huge stimulus package as drawn up in the House, saying it will give renewable and alternative fuels a major boost and build a better electric "smart" grid.

That would make it easier for Congress to pass a cap-and-trade bill, with a system for utilities and other companies that pollute less than the limit to trade or sell permits to those over the limit.” Gore argues that adoption of the energy components of the Obama stimulus package will restore American Credibility world wide.

I hope Our new leadership will result in a world treaty on carbon

GORE COMES WITH SLIDES AND VIDEOS IN HIS PRESENTATION TO CONGRESS. GORE VIDEO: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/01/28/VI2009012801772.html?sid=ST2009012803323

GORE STATED “THIS GLOBAL WARMING ROLLER COASTER WE ARE ON IS HEADED FOR A CRASH AND WE ARE ON HE FIRST CAR.”

“He also urged Congress to consider a cap-and-trade system for carbon dioxide emissions, whereby the government caps the amount of carbon that can be emitted by businesses.

Those that produce less carbon earn credits that can be sold to businesses that produce more carbon.” Gore said a cap and trade policy is more likely to be enacted on a large scale internationally. "As long as we continue to send hundreds of billions of dollars for foreign oil -- year after year -- to the most dangerous and unstable regions of the world, our national security will continue to be at risk," Gore said. "We have arrived at a moment of decision.

Our home -- Earth -- is in danger," Gore said. "What is at risk of being destroyed is not the planet itself, of course, but the conditions that have made it hospitable for human beings."

It is a new day in Washington. Unrestrained debate over the policy implications of the scientific date and actions by Washington are imperative. With renewed credibility after congress attaches budget to global warming policy initiative we can negotiate world treaty on carbon emissions the root cause of global warming/climate change.

Posted here by Terry Bankert You are invited to continue this discussion on facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Bankert/645845362 -----

-1 http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11575954?source=most_viewed

-2 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/28/AR2009012803318.html

-3 http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/GlobalWarming/story?id=6748718&page=1

-4 http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/01/28/gore.climate/ 115573

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Linda Thompson WFLT on school closing

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
BY Terry Bankert
1 / 24/09

This morning on WFLT 1420 am radio we will have a conversation with a special guest Ms Linda Thompson Superintendent of Flint Public Schools.

Your questions will betaken from 9:15 on. As is my custom I will allow Ms Thompson the last 2 minuets of the program.

Call 239-5733 is the call in number to the station.

If you have a family law question please call my office number 235-1970 your call will come directly to me on my cell phone.

Special thank you to WFLT, Lynn, CPSA Courier you will find on page 5 of the courier in my column Know the Law, for the first time I have a quest writer Martha Everett of the Great Schools Initiatives of which I am a member on the topic of the school closing process. Please read this in your courier tomorrow.

My intent on WFLT and my courier adverting in column is to break down the barriers fo you to know and assert your rights when confronted with family law issues .

Of course I am marketing my legal service. I also firmly believe in a citizens right and duty to be involved in their community.

When I look at the quality of life in flint Michigan and our future I look to two organizations.

The City of Flint as a municipal Corporation and the Flint Board of education which runs our public school system. These two Organizations are equally important for flint future.

The school board educates out children and the City protects us and provides basic public services. People decided to move into a city of stay there based on perceptions of quality schools if the have children but always on perceptions of public safety, basic service delivery and quality of life.

In Flint we as the rest of the country face economic distress as a school system and city. The measure of our leadership is how we reorganize our public-service to include education and build for the future.

Responsible citizens will learn the issue and voice their opinions directly or through others

IN FLINT OVER ONE HALF OF OUR SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME

A public input process was begun some time ago which resulted in a citizens committee recommendation on school closing which documented the need for school closing and made suggestions and options for how the Flint Board of education should decide to close schools after the Flint Board of education Superintendent of schools Linda Thompson makes a recommendation to the Board.

That recommendation has not been made yet.

Next week are scheduled several public informational sessions where the citizens report will be presented and questions taken. School executives will be present. Attend one of these sessions and educate your self, ask questions and make comments. The ball then is in the court of the superintendent.

INTRODUCTION OF GUEST

It is my pleasure to introduce Ms Linda Thompson superintendent of the Flint Public Schools.

Mrs Thompson has held this position for several years and worked previously in the district. As some of use would say she is home grown and knows flint well.

Please feel free to call in your questions to Ms Thompson at 239-5733 after 9:15. No speeches just questions please.

9:05-Good Morning Ms Thompson.
How long have you been with the Flint Schools? What capacities?

9:07 Why will Flint Schools have to be closed?

9:10 When will you decide which schools top recommend to the Flint Board of education to Close?

9:11 several great citizens volunteer spent a considerable amount of time generating there report. How will you use this report.

9:14 How can flint citizens become involved in the formal citizen input process and will their voices be heard.

9:15 If you have a question, no speech for Linda Thompson call 239-5733.

TALKING POINTS FROM GSI

First, the report was developed by a citizen committee.
It is not the product of our school administration or our school board- they sought serious, disciplined citizen input and this is the product.

Second, the committee stuck with solid principles:

Equity: all children should be able to attend schools that are safe, attractive, and fit for the educational purposes;

Economy: schools selected should be cost effective considering both transportation, maintenance, and administration costs;

Community: schools should be located in neighborhoods where the school age population resides and support community activities;

Academic mission: schools should be organized by grade level and size most suited to the academic mission and well being of the students.

Massive cuts must be made if the school system has any hope of solvency.
Delaying them further (dissension and lack of good leadership have delayed this far too long) subjects our young people to unsafe and degrading facilities.

Scarce maintenance resources are thinly spread across the city. Further delay wastes money in unnecessary administration headcount.

Findings in the report indicate that the current situation has bred a culture of hopelessness in some staff and I think even in the student body.

The recommendations in the report give us the ability to cherish each remaining school with equitable, clean, safe, functional facilities and resources.

We can stop wasting money on unnecessary administrative positions.
We may even be able to demonstrate enough fiscal responsibility and leadership to lay the groundwork for planning a new, state of the art building in the future.

Come review and discuss this committee’s report and findings for yourself.

No, there won’t be firm definition of which buildings will close- those final decisions will be based on these recommendations and will be provided with the budget recommendations later this spring.

But citizen understanding of the process and findings of this report will be needed if we, as a united community, are to gain the assurance that this time, finally, we are poised to do something right.

"We Flint citizens are tough people; we know how to survive in adverse times by sharing and caring for each other. Let us learn how to do exactly that by sharing and caring for the future of our students. Support the framework of this downsizing plan, encourage the Superintendent to make the cuts needed, and hold the School Board accountable to approve the plan and budget that moves this city into a new, smaller, and better era."

On several internet boards which I communicate on I asked what questions do you want Asked of Linda Thompson?

The CAP Headlines are mine to summarize the question and posted above.

-SUMMARY OF INTERNET QUESTIONS

1.DO WE HAVE EXCESSIVE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS?

2.IN YOUR SCHOOL CLOSING PLAN HOW WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET BE REDUCED?

3.WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE PERCENTAGE NOW. DO WE PAY ADMINISTRATORS MORE THAT SMALL DISTRICTS? WHY?

4.WHY DO WE CONTRACT OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT?

5.WILL THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THE CITIZENS REPORT? WE HAVE HAD THESE REPORTS BEFORE AND MANY IN THE COMMUNITY FEEL THE REPORTS WERE NOT LISTENED TO?6.WE NEED SAFE SCHOOLS TO INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE

7.OLD BUILDING ARE UNSAFE? WHICH ONE AND WHAT WILL THE BOARD DO CLOSE THESE FIRST?

8.WILL 6TH GRADERS BE MOVED TO MIDDLE SCHOOLS?

9.THIS TIME NEXT YEAR WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPORT THAT LINDA THOMPSON DID TO KEEP KIDS ENROLLED IN FLINT SCHOOLS?

10.ONCE YOUR CLOSING LIST IS RELEASED WHAT PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES WILL THERE BE? JUST IN FRONT OF THE BOARD? WHEN? OR IN THE COMMUNITY?

11.WHY NOT A FAST CLOSING INSTEAD OF MULTI YEAR?

12.WHAT IS THE BEST GRADE CONFIGURATION? WHO SHOULD 6TH GRADERS GO TO SCHOOL WITH?

13.WHY SHOULD FAMILIES KEEP THEIR CHILDREN IN FLINT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND NOT CHARTER SCHOOLS?

14.DESCRIBE AN ORDERLY PROCESS OF SCHOOL CLOSING AND WHAT IS INVOLVED?

15.DO YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES IN MIND FOR THE PUPIL PERSONNEL OFFICE?

16/HOW DOES A FAMILY MOBILITY HINDER EDUCATION

–NOTES FROM INTERNET
FROM FACE BOOK
DO WE HAVE EXCESSIVE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS? IN YOUR SCHOOL CLOSING PLAN HOW WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET BE REDUCED? WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE PERCENTAGE NOW. DO WE PAY ADMINISTRATORS MORE THAT SMALL DISTRICTS? WHY? WHY DO WE CONTRACT OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT?
Why does Flint Schools have so many administrators in comparison to the amount of students? We have more administrators than Davison and Grand Blanc combined.Why does Andrea Dericks need an Administrative assistant? What is her Pay? Will the CAUSA Games be held again this summer?Will there be summer camps?Why did the district go outside ... Read Meredith the perry group, when we have qualified employees on staff to compile a Math , ELA program and save a Ton of Money.If schools are closing why are the GEN NET room being installed in the schools.......That is a lot of money for a great program but will be a waste of money if they are in schools that are closing.
From Flint Talk
1.The 2nd student count day is Feb. 11th I predict the announcement that identifies which schools will close will happen after that date. Perhaps before the Feb 18th or March 4th school board meeting. Parents and staff will pack these meetings.
WILL THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THE CITIZENS REPORT? WE HAVE HAD THESE REPORTS BEFORE AND MANY IN THE COMMUNITY FEEL THE REPORTS WERE NOT LISTENED TO?FCS board will say we held informational meetings in January about the state of the district but had low attendance. We had a facilities committee with findings that we presented. YOU SHOULD HAVE ATTENDED...we notified you...blah blah you did not care? They will then vote on which schools to close, or vote down the school closing plan. It takes a five member majority of nine board members to approve school closings. (Is Hatter ill... is he stepping down or will they wait until after the election to appoint a new board member?) WILL THE SUPER MAKE A SPECIFIC CLOSING RECOMMENDATION? OR WILL IT BEGIN ANOTHER PROCESS. SOME WILL THINK THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT ARE AVOIDING THE PUBLIC BY DELAYING THE SPECIFICS ON THE SCHOOLS TO CLOSE.They may then come up with a different plan, or stay with admin plan on which schools to close. Truth be told any portion of this facilities closing plan can change any time before the last June meeting when the budget is finalized.
#2
WE NEED SAFE SCHOOLS TO INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE
The first place we need to have clean air is our school buildings. Our children deserve clean air. OLD BUILDING ARE UNSAFE? WHICH ONE AND WHAT WILL THE BOARD DO CLOSE THESE FIRST?Flint schools old buildings do not have quality air filtration. Old boilers that needed new systems instead of patchwork fixes years ago. Mold, old ceiling tiles, lack of fresh air. Many items that would no longer meet building and safety codes are grand fathered in. Plexiglass has replaced broken glass windows. Plexiglass in case of fire puts out a noxious gas and should not be in school buildings. One of the most impressive items when I visited new school buildings was the air infiltration systems. Clean air and plenty of light would be a good start for learning.
#3Questions for Linda Thompson. 1.
WILL 6TH GRADERS BE MOVED TO MIDDLE SCHOOLS? I have heard concerns from parents that 6th grade students will be moved from elementary schools to middle school. Parents perceive middle schools to be less safe and are already looking at other options than Flint Community Schools for their 6th grade students.
THIS TIME NEXT YEAR WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPORT THAT LINDA THOMPSON DID TO KEEP KIDS ENROLLED IN FLINT SCHOOLS?
How do you plan on encouraging parents to keep their child enrolled in Flint Community Schools at the 6th grade level? or will we see a mass of declining enrollment at 6th grade level rather than at 7th grade?
ONCE YOUR CLOSING LIST IS RELEASED WHAT PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES WILL THERE BE? JUST IN FRONT OF THE BOARD? WHEN? OR IN THE COMMUNITY?2. Will you wait until after Feb 11 to announce which schools will be on the closing list? Will you hold public meetings in the communities after the closing list is announced to hear concerns from the public? WHY NOT A FAST CLOSING INSTEAD OF MULTI YEAR?3. The big question is why don't we find a way to speed up the closing process instead of spanning two years? Why don't we pull the band-aid fast and have the pain all at once and then move forward? Parents want consistency rather than instability.
#4ADAM FORD
WHAT IS THE BEST GRADE CONFIGURATION? WHO SHOULD 6TH GRADERS GO TO SCHOOL WITH?

I was on the grade configuration subcommittee and I agree with our recommendation. Perhaps if parents are more concerned with getting their children educated they will agree with the scenario. This gives more time to do catch up and get kids ready for the 9th grade. We looked very strongly at a ninth grade academy but did not feel it was feasible. In addition the 6th-8th could cause a massive reduction in mobility if we potentially went to two normal high schools and two normal middles schools although we will probably need special schools for our "special programs". I think we can go with the 6-9 9th-12th which did work in the past or we can keep with the current system which is obviously failing. I feel bad for the kids that get transferred around to multiple schools every year. I can’t imagine trying to teach kids in that environment as well. I'm not sure if Linda will follow through on the grade configuration recommendation but I do feel this was a solid recommendation. WHY SHOULD FAMILIES KEEP THEIR CHILDREN IN FLINT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND NOT CHARTER SCHOOLS?If we don't go with the 6-8th I think charter schools are clearly the best option where you can have the same children in the same classrooms with the same teacher. Even with a unified curriculum there is the social aspect of learning and different teachers have their own quirks. On the down side I'm not sure any of the current board member or maybe even the superintendent would be able to explain this to the parents or have the guts to. 2. I think you should give her leeway on #2. DESCRIBE AN ORDERLY PROCESS OF SCHOOL CLOSING AND WHAT IS INVOLVED?3. I understand the reasoning behind this but with the kind of mobility in Flint schools it would be very easy to have overcrowding and mass chaos if we closed say 10 buildings over the course of a few months. I think we do need an orderly process and not mass chaos. There is also the feasibility issue.
#5

I agree that the 6-8 grade configuration is best. The question is how will L.Thompson address parent concerns? I went to middle school at 6th grade and learned to swim in a pool, and many other programs not available in an elementary building. We lose many kids at the transition stage and if we present it carefully we can stop the loss. As of now parents DO NOT UNDERSTAND and are bracing to LEAVE. NO LEEWAY ON # 2. This is change in board policy and not acceptable. # 3 .
DO YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES IN MIND FOR THE PUPIL PERSONNEL OFFICE?
Pupil personal office does a less than acceptable job now. can not find student records so kids can take SAT's. In the past we closed many buildings at one time M & O dept had much overtime so much that we had no savings from closing buildings. We have people in M & O that watch TV all day with their feet up on a desk. The most work hard but we have some that can take a long walk. If we had the right people to organize and secretaries at the building level do what they used to do before Milton it could be done smoothly. Less interruption and chaos for parents would save per pupil funding loss at about $7000 per student.
#6
HOW DOES A FAMILY MOBILITY HINDER EDUCATION

Mobility is an issue that we will always have in an inner city school system. Look at the trash this week out at the curb. People are moving. Every year after Christmas parent move. They let bills go to pay for gifts. About this week they will be in new rentals with children in new schools within or out of the district. We will do a second student count to appropriate funds to buildings.
#7

Informational Meeting Times and Locations:

Here is Flint Citizens Committee Report on School closing.
http://www.flintschools.org/pdfs/FACrpt2008_12.pdf

The schedule of community informational meeting follow.

PLEASE ...PUT THESE IN YOUR CALENDAR AND ...ATTEND ONE .

Community Meeting to discuss the citizens report from the Citizens Advisory Committee'
MONDAY, 1 /26/09, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria.

TUESDAY , 1 /27/09, NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria

WEDNESDAY, 1 /28/09 SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY 7 p.m. Cafeteria

THURSDAY, 1 /29/09 NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 p.m. Cafeteria http://www.flintschools.org/

You may be in other groups with school interests ,get this information out to your friends.

WHY? BECAUSE MANY SCHOOLS HAVE TO BE CLOSED.

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Linda Thompson talks school closing.

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
1 /24/09 early edition
by Terry Bankert

MANY FLINT PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL SOON BE CLOSED.

DO NOT WAIT TO BE SHOCKED WHEN YOURS IS.

VERY SOON THE FLINT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ...LINDA THOMPSON SHALL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FLINT BOARD OF EDUCATION ON WHICH SCHOOLS TO CLOSE IN FLINT..

THE BOARD SHALL THEN PICK THE FLINT SCHOOLS TO CLOSE.

SATURDAY 1 /24/2009 ON WFLT 1420 AM RADIO 9 A.M. TO 9:30 out of Flint MI. Flint School Superintendent Linda Thompson will be the guest of Terry Bankert. http://www.flintschools.org/superintendent/index.htm

We will discuss the Flint School Closing Process.

This is a call in program.

To have your question answered call 239-5733 area code 810. between 9:10 and 9:25 Internet viewers are asked to submit questions for Superintendent Thompson, or call in yourself.

Send me an email http://attorneybankert.com/

or post it to Flint Talk on the Thread Good Morning Flint http://www.flinttalk.com/viewforum.php?f=2

or My Face Book. http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Bankert/645845362

Here is Flint Citizens Committee Report on School closing. http://www.flintschools.org/pdfs/FACrpt2008_12.pdf

The schedule of community informational meeting follow.

PLEASE ...PUT THESE IN YOUR CALENDAR AND ...ATTEND ONE .

Community Meeting to discuss the citizens report from the Citizens Advisory Committee'

MONDAY, 1 /26/09, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria.

TUESDAY , 1 /27/09, NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria

WEDNESDAY, 1 /28/09 SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY 7 p.m. Cafeteria

THURSDAY, 1 /29/09 NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 p.m. Cafeteria http://www.flintschools.org/

You may be in other groups with school interests ,get this information out to your friends.

WHY? BECAUSE MANY SCHOOLS HAVE TO BE CLOSED.

Posted here by Terry Bankert http://attorneybankert.com/

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What school closing headlines do you want?

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
1/ 18/09
BY Terry Bankert
The Flint Board of Education was on a good decision making track ,fair to the community ,when it selected a citizens committee to recommend a process for making school closure decisions.

The committee did an excellent job limited only by their mission, to recommend a process for deciding which Flint schools to close.

It will be a mistake for the superintendent to not release the actual school closing list submitted to the Flint Board of Education prior to the 4 scheduled community meeting , beginning 1 /26/09 , and explain the difference between the actual proposed closures and the citizens report.

This process will benefit the community and board members.

IN FLINT WHICH OF THESE HEADLINES DO WE WANT?

What can we learn about the role of the community when schools shut down?
My start here is a google search, key words: "school closure" budget community.CAP
HEADLINES ARE MINE

WE ARE NOT ALONE.

In the spring of 2002 School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain) was faced with three challenging issues:
1. Decline of over 220 students from the September 2001 enrolment of 4000 students
2. 20% of the space in district schools was not required for instructional purposes
3. A shortfall of $2.1M for the 2002-2003 school year if the district continued to spend in the same
manner.-2THERE ARE MANY OTHER EXAMPLES.

THE COMMUNITY WILL DEMAND THAT THEIR VOICE BE HEARD. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE-NOT FLINT.

2- AWARENESS/COMMUNITY INPUT

2- Community Budget Meetings
Community meetings were held in Kimberley, Golden and Invermere to provide information regarding the enrolment decline and potential budget shortfall
Input regarding suggestions for budget reduction as well as revenue generating suggestions were received, consolidated and communicated Significant input was received suggesting that the Board close schools, reduce administration, close Zone Administrative offices and close zone Resource Centres.

2- Board Action on Community Input
At a Special Board meeting the Board announced reduction of central staff and passed a Notice of Motion to consider the closure of 8 schools.
Management analyzed enrolment trends, space availability for students in neighboring schools,
budget implications, and potential savings should a school close.
Schools were considered for closure if:
-all students from that school could be enrolled in a neighboring school
-the closure of the school would result in cost savings
-cost savings would continue to be realized even when the ‘Small Community Grant’ was eliminated

THE COMMUNITY WILL DISRUPT AGGRESSIVELY THE SCHOOL CLOSING PROCESS IF THEIR QUESTIONS ARE NOT ANSWERED.

Hundreds of frustrated parents urged the Northshore School District to delay its plans to close an elementary school next fall, citing the disruption to about 800 students and unanswered questions about the district's finances.-1

UPSET PARENTS WILL DISRUPT MEETINGS.

Parents wore life jackets and held up signs that said "Talk With Us" at a School Board meeting Tuesday night that ran until almost 2 a.m. -1

COMMUNITY SPEAKERS WILL SAY THE BOARD IS MOVING TOO FAST

Many speakers said the School Board was moving too fast in its proposal to close Woodin Elementary in Bothell as part of its plans to cut $3.4 million from the 2008-09 budget.-1

PARENTS WILL SAY THEY ARE CAUGHT UNAWARE THEIR SCHOOL COULD BE CLOSED

Parents said they were ambushed by the decision to close the school and view it as a rash reaction to the town's budget woes. "There's no plan in place," parent Kevin Donaher said. "If there's a plan in place, then it's more acceptable."-3

THE COMMUNITY WILL SAY IT IS STUNNED

"They should have given parents more notice. Maybe we could have tried to raise money to keep it open," said Refuerzo, who has a son in the second grade at Hillside. "We feel Hillside is a very safe school. It's just not fair," Refuerzo said. "Why did they have to close a school that brings such a good quality of life to students?"-4

THE BOARD WHEN CONFRONTED WILL SAY "WE ARE LISTENING TO YOU

Board Chairwoman Cathy Swanson told the standing-room-only crowd that while it may seem like the school closure is a done deal, "we're still listening to the community and weighing our decisions."-1

THE BOARD WILL TALK ABOUT MONEY SAVED AND DROPPING ENROLLMENT

The district estimates it will save about $700,000 annually by closing a school. Enrollment in the district has dropped by about 600 students in the past two years, and the loss of another 600 students is projected by 2010.-1

THE BOARD WILL TALK ABOUT LOST TEACHERS , ASSISTANTS AND ADMINISTRATORS

The district also has proposed eliminating seven teaching positions, 30 library assistants, three school nurses and 13 administrative-support positions next year.-1

THE TEACHERS UNION WILL SAY IT DISAGREES WITH THE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS

The Northshore teachers union said it disagreed with the district's income projections. Its own analysis showed the district has $3 million more in revenues than it had a year ago, said Tim Brittell, president of the Northshore Education Association. He also said the union projected a year-end general-fund balance that is $1.7 million more than the board-required 2 percent reserves.-1

TOO MANY SPEAKERS TOO LITTLE TIME, COMMUNITY DEMAND BOARD TO TALK TO THEM

When Swanson suggested that some of the more than 150 people who had signed up to speak at the public meeting instead submit comments to a district Web address, many in the audience booed and held up bright yellow signs that said "Talk With Us."-1

PARENTS WILL COMPLAIN THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION PROCESS

Parents have complained that no School Board members attended three community meetings on the proposed budget cuts earlier this month. And they asked why the community hadn't been more involved in finding alternatives to closing a school.-1

TEACHERS WILL SAY THE BOARD DID NOT CONSIDER ALL OPTIONS

"I can't believe school closure would be considered before you consider every other option," said Karen Kapovich, a teacher at Woodin.-1

THE COMMUNITY WILL ACCUSE THE SCHOOL BOARD OF HURTING CHILDREN

Parents frustrated by the School Department's proposed shuttering of an elementary school to balance next year's budget told selectmen last night that children will suffer because of poor planning."We're seriously compromising the world of very young children," said Alan Abrams, a parent of two students at Machon Elementary School. "They're not sad," Abrams said of Machon students. "They're scared because they don't know what's going to happen to them." -3

THE COMMUNITY WILL ACCUSE THE BOARD OF DESTROYING THE COMMUNITY AND GOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Parents, teachers and students at Hollywood Hill Elementary complained that the district was effectively destroying two elementary schools that had built up strong community support and effective educational programs.-1

THE CLOSING WILL GREATLY HARM POOR STUDENTS

Some also wondered how the Woodin students, about a third of whom come from low-income families and a quarter of whom are Hispanic, would fit into the more affluent Hollywood Hill community.-1

MANY FAMILIES WILL TURN TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

For many families, "it's off to private schools. It's as simple as that," said Peter Burnham, a Hollywood Hill parent.-1

SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WILL BE HURT THE WORST

Others worried that Hollywood Hill's special-education students would suffer in any move.-1

LOWER ENROLLMENT JUSTIFIES FOR THE UNION TO LOWER WAGES

After the meeting, Brittell suggested that the district was using its enrollment decline as a way to leverage concessions from its unions in upcoming bargaining talks.-1

CONTRACT POSTURING

District spokeswoman Susan Stoltzfus said posturing in advance of contact negotiations was "a two-way street."-1

THERE IS NO EXTRA MONEY

As for the union's budget analysis, she said, "there is no extra money. It will all be spent by August," the end of the fiscal year.-1

WHICH OF THESE HEADLINES DO YOU WANT IN FLINT? WHAT SHOULD BE DONE DIFFERENTLY.

On December 17, 2008 the Facilities Advisory Committee (made-up of citizens from our community) presented their report to the Flint Board of Education about consolidating and closing schools. You can obtain a copy of the report on the Flint Board of Education web site:
http://www.flintschools.org/pdfs/FACrpt2008_12.pdf

The report documents:
The current number of buildings have the capacity for 30,000 students but there are just 14,000 students, meaning we have too many buildings for the size of the school population
The costs to maintain too many building is taking away needed funds from education programs
The community cannot afford all of the facilities

The physical conditions of several buildings are unacceptable and in some cases dangerous.
The number of buildings needs to be reduced from our current 30 to 18 by 2013.
Community meetings are being held to explain the report and we urge and encourage you to attend. The plan needs to be carefully considered. The citizens’ Facilities Advisory Committee is convinced that urgent action is needed. Please take the time to read and understand the report and attend one of the community meetings.

Central High School Monday, January 26th 7:00 pm Cafeteria

Northern High School Tuesday, January 27th 7:00 pm Cafeteria

Southwestern High School Wednesday, January 28th 7:00 pm Cafeteria

Northwestern High School Thursday, January 29th 7:00 pm Cafeteria



Posted here by
Terry Bankert

-1-
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2004309453_northshore27e.html
-2-
http://www.bcssa.org/topics/SD6.schoolclosureprocess.pdf
-3-
http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_074120431
-4-
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_/ai_n15830545

Sphere: Related Content

Do not be shocked when your neighborhood school is closed.

Good Morning Flint!
By Terry Bankert
01/16/09
http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/

LET GOOD GOVERNMENT IN FLINT BEGIN WITH HOW WE DECIDE TO CLOSE SCHOOLS IN FLINT MI USA.

The foundation of "Good Government" requires the involvement of responsible citizens in public decisions. I advocate " Good Government" In Flint, City and Schools. Do you?

MANY FLINT PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL SOON BE CLOSED. DO NOT WAIT TO BE SHOCKED WHEN YOURS IS.

I am independent from the Flint Board of Education. I also feel strongly that to turn Flint around it will take the combined efforts of the Municipal Corporation "City of Flint" and the Flint School System " Flint Board of education."

ARE YOU A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN?

I consider myself to be a responsible Flint Citizen. I attend community meeting, speak out as our democracy allows and do my share of community service. Within this context I as " What is the role of a responsible Flint Citizen when a dozen or so Flint Schools are to be closed? What is a citizens role if they agree 100% with the yet unreleased superintendents report on which schools to close?

RESPONSIBE CITENS MUST STEP UP AND BE HEARD

Gadflys, politicians, community big mouths will most assuredly howl and attack the Board and the superintendent and anyone that would attack threaten their favorite school with closing. Mixed in with these reactions will be good hard working parents that want just what is best for their kids. There will be single young mothers working 2 jobs who will not understand while the school across the street from them is closed. Others whose school is a neighborhood monument will be equally upset.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A RESPONSIBLE FLINT CITIZEN?

My suggestion is that you consider becoming informed and speak out. Let the Flint Board of Education and the media know the variety of opinions not just the naysayers.

Responsible citizens are encouraged to read the Citizens report recently released on the process and factual foundation supporting school closing. Good report it does what it was intended to.

THE BOARD CREATED A CONTROLLED PROCESS OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT

The board has selected its own citizen representatives wedded them to a retained school district superintendent that every body respects, to include this writer, and a report is released.
The Citizens facilities report is part of a controlled process to involve tempered , informed citizen comment. That report was released to the Flint Board of Education, now it is being released to you at the community informational meeting below. The report will not be modified based upon your comments but your comments and questions will be heard.

FORMAL PUBLIC COMMENT OCCURS IN FRONT OF THE FLINT BOARD OF EDUCATION

The real public comment occurs infront of the Flint Board of education. These comment sessions have been quite contentious in the past. Responsible citizens I argue should not set back and let the elected members of the Flint Board of education attacked for doing their job. The agony of school closing hearing should be shared.

THEORY OF GOOD GOVERNMENT

I present a hypothesis that if responsible citizens become involved with tempered discussions and public debate a better , more community sensitive decision will be made by the Flint board of education.
YOUR OPINION IS YOURS, JUST BE INFORMED!

Note I am not advising what your opinion should be, only that you have an informed one and speak out or publish a letter to the media or to the Flint Board of Education.

LETS TURN FLINT ABOUT, STARTING HERE.

Possibly we begin to turn Flint around with how the community involves itself in the school closing issue. My theory of " Good Government" has a foundation this informed temper involvement of the Public in Public decision. Next we may want to apply this same theory of " Good Government" to the City of Flint. SUMMARY: Read the report, form an opinion, get involved in the decision making process.

MANY FLINT PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL SOON BE CLOSED. DO NOT WAIT TO BE SHOCKED WHEN YOURS IS.


The citizens input on school closing began when a Citizens Advisory Facilities Committee was formed quite a while ago. They produced a report on the process for deciding which schools to close giving several options. That report was presented to the Flint Board of education several weeks ago.

Beginning on 1 /24/09 this report will be presented to the Flint community at 4 community meetings. Please consider getting involved in the process now instead of being shocked and upset later. At these meeting you will have a chance to ask questions through a facilitator.

The Superintendent of Schools will be present.

Next the Superintendent working through the process of the Flint Board of Education will present her proposal for closing school and the next years budget.

About this time there will be comment sessions at the board meeting where essentially all heck will break lose as the suddenly shocked parents and community members will say "Do not close my school, close theirs".


The reality is that many Flint Schools have to closed, possibly one near you.

I suggest you learn about the process and information used to create the final Superintendent proposal for closing. Then make informed public comments in support and opposition.

Secondly if you agree with the final proposal of the superintendent consider attending and speaking at the community input meeting before the Flint Board of Education. Often the people who agre do not comment. The media coverage then creates the immpression most at the meetings are against the Board action or the Superintendents Proposal.

We are a diverse and educated community well equipped to understand these issues.

We will present our community better to the media and the world if a mix of informed responsible citizens comment along side the emotional and well intended naysayers.

As always there will be speakers that are not well intentioned attempting to exploit the emotionalism of closing a neighborhood school, sometimes for their own political advantage.

Please note that I am not suggesting what you think or say.

My only suggestion is that you gain as much information as possible about the process, share it with your friends and family.


Several of us are asking Flint Citizen to get involved in this process early by reviewing the Citizens Facilities report on School Closing before the community information meetings and the series of Flint Board of Education meeting that will result in many Flint Schools being closed.


If you belong to a neighborhood group or organization concerned with the Flint school closing consider sharing this information with your group before the community information meeting.

Many citizens worked hard to produce this report.

Now is the time for your opinion.

The Superintendent has yet to submit her report and she will be listening at these community informational meetings.

I feel the better informed the community is about school closing and how recommendations are made the better the final Board decision will be.

Here is the committee report
http://www.flintschools.org/pdfs/FACrpt2008_12.pdf

The schedule of community informational meeting follow.

PLEASE PUT THESE IN YOUR CALENDAR AND ATTEND ONE .

Community Meeting to discuss the citizens report from the Citizens Advisory Committee'

MONDAY, ½6/09, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria.

TUESDAY , ½7/09, NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria

WEDNESDAY, ½8/09 SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY 7 p.m. Cafeteria

THURSDAY, ½9/09 NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 p.m. Cafeteria http://www.flintschools.org/

You many be in other groups with school interests ,get this information out to your friends.

WHY? BECAUSE MANY SCHOOLS HAVE TO BE CLOSED.


Some may want to dig into the issue deeper.


The following are the video segments of an education workshop I sponsored several years ago. http://www.myspace.com/publicdevelopment Public Development 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.

Please Consider Joining me on Face Book for daily discussions on how to make this a better world. http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Bankert/645845362

Posted Here By
Terry Bankert



ADDITIONAL EVENT INFORMATION

BANKERT BLURBS- Saturday, January 31, A Night at the Races, a fundraiser for the Genesee County Democratic Party, Sports Creek Raceway, $50 per person, includes dinner, racing program and admission fee. RSVP to Jack Minore by January 23. Send check made out to Genesee County Democratic Party, in care of Jack Minore, 610 Commonwealth, Flint, MI 48503. Or via email at jacksonmin@aol.com.


Friday, January 16, Opening Night of the Traveling Museum of Afrikan Ancestry and Research Center's Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Study of Kemet (ancient Egypt) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. At Pages Bookstore, 132 W. Second Street, Flint. Featuring exhibits, artifacts, speakers, storytellers, artists and musicians. Ongoing through March 2 (Monday-Friday from noon to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM). For more information call 810-767-7243. FREE,


You are invited to Join the Michigan Democratic Partyhttp://www.michigandems.com/join.php-

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Public Saftey starts at the top. Police chief arrested.

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
BY Terry Bankert 1/14/09
http://attorneybankert.com/

BANKERTS BLURBS SAY IT AINT SO SHANE?...[name that movie?] Flint has found yet another way to humiliate its self to the nation. Chief of Police arrested!! What’s next? * http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/01/interim_flint_police_chief_david_dicks_appearing_in_court_to_face_charges.html -

SURGERY WITH NO CHECK LIST?. DOCTORS DISCOVER A BASIC MANAGEMENT TOOL KNOWN BY THE REST OF HUMANITY SINCE THE STONE AGE. An obscure publication said.”Eight hospitals reduced the number of deaths from surgery by more than 40% by using a checklist that helps doctors and nurses avoid errors, according to a report released online today in the New England Journal of Medicine. “ This was validated by a back woods training school.”If all hospitals used the same checklist, they could save tens of thousands of lives and $20 billion in medical costs each year, says author Atul Gawande, a surgeon and associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.”

HOSPITALS DISCOVER TEAMWORK!.... OH.....MY....GOD!!!!..Team work is good. To be a good team the doctors should at least bother to learn the name of the nurses. A break through! “A checklist for surgical teams that includes steps as basic as having the doctors and nurses introduce themselves can significantly lower the number of deaths and complications, researchers reported Wednesday.”

BEFORE YOUR NEXT SURGERY MAKE THE SURGEON TELL YOU THE NAMES OF THE NURSES AND ASK FOR HIS CHECK LIST!

* http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-01-14-surgery-checklist_N.htm
* http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/health/20surgery.html?ref=health
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BUSH ADMINISTRATION ADMITS TO WAR CRIMES For the first time, a senior Bush administration official has publicly described a detainee's treatment at the U.S. Navy Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as torture, according to a published report. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/01/15/guantanamo.torture/ * http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200901151211.htm

- Every child will be a winner. I was asked to allow my office to be a drop FOR THE “ I have a dream” event submissions. Submissions can also be dropped off at FIA. With the weather and late organization there may not be many entries. The entries are mobiles? Three pieces of paper strung together creatively and have the ability to hang or lay on a table top. Entries are needed. See http://www.flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=40166#40166

"I HAVE A DREAM" (Community Service) http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpt8yg

The Coalition for Community Progress (CFCP) has planned for all, but especially, for our tri-city area students grades 1st-12th an exciting! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day Event. They will compete, in a 4 separate category contest based on grade levels by building a 3-piece Mobile of their thoughts on Dr. King's famous Washington speech, "I HAVE A DREAM". All you have to do is build a 3 shape Mobile (preferably dream shapes). That can be hung or tabletop, writing these 3 questions on one side of the Mobile.

1. WHAT IS MY DREAM?

2. WHAT IS MY DREAM FOR MY CITY?

3. WHAT IS MY DREAM FOR MY COUNTRY?

Then flip to the other side and write out your answers (in your own words, no parents please) If you WIN you'll receive a $50.00 Savings Bond This event is sponsored by the Coalition for Community Progress in connection with the Obama Administration.

Paula Verdun , organizer, 422-8638.

Onsite organizer MAHMOND.

Sponsors decisions are final. Persons connected with the Coalition for Community Progress are ineligible. Contestants must be present to WIN.

The Coalition of Community Progress wishes to encourage: Persons of age that are currently not enrolled in school, Disabled persons, Migrant and Homeschooled Students. Judges base decisions on Content-50% Design- 25% & Creativity-25%. No late admissions will be accepted.

Mobile's can be mailed or dropped off to: Flint Institute of Arts – 1025 E. Kearsley Street OR Atty. Terry Bankert Office – 1000 Beach Street – Flint, MI 48502 – 810-235-1970. http://attorneybankert.com/

Mobile competition will be held January 19th 2008 at Flint Institute of Arts – 1025 E. Kearsley Street – Flint, MI 48503 from Noon – 2pm. (This event is sponsored by the Coalition for Community Progress in connection with the Obama Administration.

Sponsors decisions are final. Persons connected with the Coalition for Community Progress are ineligible. Contestants must be present to WIN. The Coalition of Community Progress wishes to encourage: Persons of age that are currently not enrolled in school, Disabled persons, Migrant and Homeschooled Students. Judges base decisions on Content-50% Design- 25% & Creativity-25%. No late admissions will be accepted. Entries are due Sunday 6pm.

If you are dropping off call Terry Bankert 235-1970, I will be minuets from my office.

I will give every child that enters a special award.

This link will take you to: How to make a cloud mobile. http://www.dltk-kids.com/Crafts/rainbows/rainbow_paper_craft.htm

Please Consider Joining me on Face Book for daily discussions on how to make this a better world. http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Bankert/645845362

Posted Here Terry Bankert http://attorneybankert.com/

Check out the latest Bankert Blurbs http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/

BANKERT BLURBS

- Saturday, January 31, A Night at the Races, a fundraiser for the Genesee County Democratic Party, Sports Creek Raceway, $50 per person, includes dinner, racing program and admission fee. RSVP to Jack Minore by January 23. Send check made out to Genesee County Democratic Party, in care of Jack Minore, 610 Commonwealth, Flint, MI 48503. Or via email at 1. jacksonmin@aol.com. FROM DOUG

- Friday, January 16, Opening Night of the Traveling Museum of Afrikan Ancestry and Research Center's Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Study of Kemet (ancient Egypt) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. At Pages Bookstore, 132 W. Second Street, Flint. Featuring exhibits, artifacts, speakers, storytellers, artists and musicians. Ongoing through March 2 (Monday-Friday from noon to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM). For more information call 810-767-7243. FREE, FROM DOUG

- Join the Michigan Democratic Partyhttp://www.michigandems.com/join.php-

FYI
You are invited to become involved or made aware of the Citizen Input Process preceeding the closing of many Flint schools. See:
http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=40087#40087

If you are a responsible Flint Citizen get involved in this process early and lets raise the pitch of responsible citizens that will be truth sayers to the uniformed. Help your city, help your kids get involved now in this process.Here is the committee report http://www.flintschools.org/pdfs/FACrpt2008_12.pdf

Here are the community informational meeting

FLINTOIDS-PUT THESE IN YOUR CALENDAR AND ATTEND ONE PLEASE Community Meeting to discuss the citizens report from the Citizens Advisory Committee'

MONDAY, 1/26/09, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria.

TUESDAY , 1/27/09, NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria

WEDNESDAY, 1/28/09 SOUTHWESTEREN ACADEMY 7 p.m. Cafeteria

THURSDAY, 1/29/09 NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 p.m. Cafeteria http://www.flintschools.org/

I am involved in a group that is focused on this issue, but I am not the spokespeson.These words are mine alone. You many be in other groups with school interest ,get this information out to your friends.

WHY? BECAUSE MANY SCHOOLS HAVE TO BE CLOSED.

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THE I HAVE A DREAM CONTEST

GOOD MORNING FLINT!CIRCULATED

BY Terry Bankert

"I HAVE A DREAM" (Community Service)
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpt8yg

The Coalition for Community Progress (CFCP) has planned for all, butespecially, for our tri-city area students grades 1st-12th anexciting! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day Event. They willcompete, in a 4 separte category contest based on grade levels bybuilding a 3-piece Mobile of their thoughts on Dr. King's famousWashington speech, "I HAVE A DREAM"

.All you have to do is build a 3 shape Mobile (preferably dreamshapes). That can be hung or tabletop, writing these 3 questions onone side of the Mobile.1. WHAT IS MY DREAM?2. WHAT IS MY DREAM FOR MY CITY?3. WHAT IS MY DREAM FOR MY COUNTRY?Then flip to the other side and write out your answers (in your ownwords, no parents please)If you WIN you'll receive a $50.00 Savings Bond

This event is sponsored by the Coalition for Community Progress inconnection with the Obama Administration. Paula Verdun , organizer,422-8638. Onsite organizer MAHMOND. Sponsors decisions are final.Persons connected with the Coalition for Community Progress areineligible. Contestants must be present to WIN.

The Coalition ofCommunity Progress wishes to encourage: Persons of age that arecurrently not enrolled in school, Disabled persons, Migrant andHomeschooled Students. Judges base decisions on Content-50% Design-25% & Creativity-25%. No late admissions will be accepted.Mobile's can be mailed or dropped off to: Flint Institute of Arts –1025 E. Kearsley Street OR Atty. Terry Bankert Office – 1000 BeachStreet – Flint, MI 48502 – 810-235-1970.http://attorneybankert.com/

Mobile competition will be held January 19th 2008 at Flint Instituteof Arts – 1025 E. Kearsley Street – Flint, MI 48503 from Noon – 2pm.(This event is sponsored by the Coalition for Community Progress inconnection with the Obama Administration. Sponsors decisions arefinal. Persons connected with the Coalition for Community Progressare ineligible. Contestants must be present to WIN.

The Coalition ofCommunity Progress wishes to encourage: Persons of age that arecurrently not enrolled in school, Disabled persons, Migrant andHomeschooled Students. Judges base decisions on Content-50% Design-25% & Creativity-25%.

No late admissions will be accepted.This link will take you to: How to make a cloud mobile.http://www.dltk-kids.com/Crafts/rainbows/rainbow_paper_craft.htm

Please Consider Join me on Face Book for daily discussions on how tomake this a better world.http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Bankert/645845362

Posted HereTerry Bankert

http://attorneybankert.com/

Check out the latest Bankert Blurbs
BANKERT BLURBS-
Saturday, January 31,
A Night at the Races, a fundraiser for the Genesee County Democratic Party, Sports Creek Raceway, $50 per person, includes dinner, racing program and admission fee. RSVP to Jack Minore by January 23.

Send check made out to Genesee County Democratic Party, in care of Jack Minore, 610 Commonwealth, Flint, MI 48503. Or via email at jacksonmin@aol.com. FROM DOUG-

Friday, January 16, Opening Night of the Traveling Museum of Afrikan Ancestry and Research Center's Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Study of Kemet (ancient Egypt) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. At Pages Bookstore, 132 W. Second Street, Flint. Featuring exhibits, artifacts, speakers, storytellers, artists and musicians. Ongoing through March 2 (Monday-Friday from noon to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM). For more information call 810-767-7243. FREE, FROM DOUG-

Join the Michigan Democratic Partyhttp://www.michigandems.com/join.php-

FYIYou are invited to become involved or made aware of the Citizen Input Process preceeding the closing of many Flint schools.

See:http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=40087#40087

If you are a responsible Flint Citizen get involved in this process early and lets raise the pitch of responsible citizens that will be truth sayers to the uniformed. Help your city, help your kids get involved now in this process.Here is the committee report

http://www.flintschools.org/pdfs/FACrpt2008_12.pdf

Here are the community informational meeting

FLINTOIDS-PUT THESE IN YOUR CALENDAR AND ATTEND ONE PLEASE

Community Meeting to discuss the citizens report from the Citizens Advisory Committee'

MONDAY, 1/26/09, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria.

TUESDAY , 1/27/09, NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria

WEDNESDAY, 1/28/09 SOUTHWESTEREN ACADEMY 7 p.m. Cafeteria

THURSDAY, 1/29/09 NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 p.m. Cafeteria http://www.flintschools.org/

I am involved in a group that is focused on this issue, but I am not the spokespeson.These words are mine alone. You many be in other groups with school interest ,get this information out to your friends.

WHY? BECAUSE MANY SCHOOLS HAVE TO BE CLOSED.

Posted here byTerry Bankert

Sphere: Related Content

Bankert Blurbs

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
by Terry Bankert
1/14/08


BANKERT BLURBS
-
Saturday, January 31, A Night at the Races, a fundraiser for the Genesee County Democratic Party, Sports Creek Raceway, $50 per person, includes dinner, racing program and admission fee. RSVP to Jack Minore by January 23. Send check made out to Genesee County Democratic Party, in care of Jack Minore, 610 Commonwealth, Flint, MI 48503. Or via email at jacksonmin@aol.com. FROM DOUG
-
Friday, January 16, Opening Night of the Traveling Museum of Afrikan Ancestry and Research Center's Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Study of Kemet (ancient Egypt) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. At Pages Bookstore, 132 W. Second Street, Flint. Featuring exhibits, artifacts, speakers, storytellers, artists and musicians. Ongoing through March 2 (Monday-Friday from noon to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM). For more information call 810-767-7243. FREE, FROM DOUG
-
Join the Michigan Democratic Party
http://www.michigandems.com/join.php
-
FYI
You are invited to become involved or made aware of the Citizen Input Process preceeding the closing of many Flint schools.

See:
http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=40087#40087

If you are a responsible Flint Citizen get involved in this process early and lets raise the pitch of responsible citizens that will be truth sayers to the uniformed. Help your city, help your kids get involved now in this process.

Here is the committee report http://www.flintschools.org/pdfs/FACrpt2008_12.pdf Here are the community informational meeting

FLINTOIDS-PUT THESE IN YOUR CALENDAR AND ATTEND ONE PLEASE

Community Meeting to discuss the citizens report from the Citizens Advisory Committee'

MONDAY, 1/26/09, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria.

TUESDAY , 1/27/09, NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria

WEDNESDAY, 1/28/09 SOUTHWESTEREN ACADEMY 7 p.m. Cafeteria

THURSDAY, 1/29/09 NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 p.m. Cafeteria http://www.flintschools.org/

I am involved in a group that is focused on this issue, but I am not the spokespeson.

These words are mine alone. You many be in other groups with school interest ,get this information out to your friends.

WHY? BECAUSE MANY SCHOOLS HAVE TO BE CLOSED.

Posted here by
Terry Bankert

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Flint School CLosing

FLINT CITIZENS, ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SCHOOLS CLOSING? GET INVOLVED! By Terry Bankert. YOU ARE ALREADY INVOLVED THROUGH A CITIZENS GROUP EMPANELED BY THE FLINT BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT HAS RELEASED A REPORT THAT CONCLUDES FLINT HAS MANY SCHOOLS THAT MUST BE CLOSED. The Flint Board of Education by summer will decide which Flint Schools to Close.For economic reasons many must and will be closed. But which ones? ARE YOU A RESPONSIBLE FLINT CITIZEN? How is a responsible community involved in the decision making process of which schools to close? You, Flintoid's already are. A Citizens Committee guided by THE hired guns Ira Rutherford and staff supported by a big time school design outfit, has produced a mind numbing document called a Facilities Advisory report. YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS HAVE PRODUCED A REPORT Citizens, your friends and neighbors, have worked thousands of hours to produce this report. Responsible media commercial and otherwise are asked to help distribute this report, promote the community informational meetings and encourage responsible citizens to share their opinion to the Board and support as a unified community AND BACK the final decision of the board. My suppoort of the Boards decision will be premised on their listening to the community. WHAT WE SHOULD NOT WANT TO HAPPEN IS FOR THE BIG MOUTHS TO GET THE SPOTLIGHT. The last thing I desire is for a bunch of loud mouth naysayers who have not read the report or attended the informational meetings to spout off to the press and make us, who care about this town, all look like a bunch of fools. On the other hand we must help create an environment where the board is strongly encourage to follow the citizens report and the views of responsible citizens who disagree wilth all or part of the report. Citizen input is a good thing. Remember the Flint Board of Education is composed of our neighbors and friends who chose to run for this non paying office. If you hear the opportunist or justly angry citizens saying things that just are not true I challenge that your reponsibility is to speak up. You can only do that if you educate yourself and then others. Many of our friends were on that committee. I presume the citizens committee was promised they would not have to take any heat for their report. But those that do mind heat should be actively involved and visable in this process. They said many schools have to be closed? Many of use attended a Flint Board of Education meeting recently to find out which schools are to be closed. What we were given was the community report on the process used by a citizens group to create options of several senerios which determined which schools to keep open. It irritated many of us to no end. We learned that many schools have to be closed? The Flint Board of Education now has scheduled a series of informational meeting mis characterized as town hall meetings. The process of the selection of the citizens committee ,its decision making process , and the resulting document will be explained and handed out. A hired gun will facilitate/control the presentation to the community of the citizens report and channel the inevitable community comment. Unknown is whether any of the citizens that actually wrote the report will be present at these meetings. At each informational meeting we will be essentilly presented with the conclusion that many schools have to be closed . The Administration of the Flint Schools led by our able superintendent mean while , as is her responsibility, has a process by which her administration will propose a plan for school closings to take to the Flint Board of education. She has pledged to consider the findings of the citizens group. But her's is the final responsibility to propose a plan to the decison makers, the Flint Board Of Education. She must inevitably conclude that many schools have to be closed. Someday soon our elected Flint Board of Education will then deliberate on the report of the superintendent of schools. The report will find its way to the full board and then committee or committe then to full board The deliberation will be premised on the fact that many schools have to be closed. This process will inevitably lead to a public meeting, where a plan is voted for adoption to resolve the issues that many schools have to be closed. Remember this process , your formalized citizen involvement, has been going on for a year. That being the process of deciding which schools to close. You the community have been represented by a citizens committee. They have issued a report, which is a recommended process to decide which schools to close. The report has been presented to the board and later to the community 4 times, vapors of differing senerios of which schools are to be closed has been whispeing about. These options are now in the light of day for you to see if you will kindly open your eyes. Citizens have had a variety ways to be involved in this controlled process of community release of a hot button decision on identifying schools to be closed. Why?Because many schools have to be closed. Remember the given we all know is that Flint has too many schools because of our declining student population and declining school revenues. The moment the schools are identified a thousand people who "suddenly "hear that their favorite school is to be closed will rise up and shout their discontent. NOT MY SCHOOL, CLOSE THEIRS! They will say how dare you close my neighborhood school. Recalls will be threatened , name calling will begun, board members threatened, coalitions will be formed, media coverage will be skewed, meetings will be packed, opportuninistic candidates will run for the board saying " Vote for me and no schools will be closed". Angry voices will say You need to listen to the community. ..........Nonsense THEY ALREADY ARE In the end schools will be closed because they must. Last minuet community eruptions probably will not have much. To have an affect you must educate yourself and become involved now. The community has been involved in this process for a year by the actions of a citizens group that has produced a report on the process for deciding which schools to close. Community information meeting are sheduled to present this citizens report to the community. Not the boards pick for which schools are to be closed.The Communities (citizens,you,) report on the process is before you.The report will help you to create your own informed opinion and arm you for participation in meaningful community debate. I argue that responsible citizens should read this report discuss it with their friends. We should advocate to the board that they follow this citizens road map to school closures or explain to us why and how they have deviated. At the community hearings just prior to the final board vote should be on the issues of board compliance or divergence with the citizens report. If you are a responsible Flint Citizen get involved in this process early and lets raise the pitch of responsible citizens that will be truth sayers to the uniformed. Help your city, help your kids get involved now in this process. Here is the committee report http://www.flintschools.org/pdfs/FACrpt2008_12.pdf Here are the community informational meeting FLINTOIDS-PUT THESE IN YOUR CALENDAR AND ATTEND ONE PLEASE Community Meeting to discuss the citizens report from the Citizens Advisory Committee' MONDAY, 1/26/09, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria. TUESDAY , 1/27/09, NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 pm Cafeteria WEDNESDAY, 1/28/09 SOUTHWESTEREN ACADEMY 7 p.m. Cafeteria THURSDAY, 1/29/09 NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL 7 p.m. Cafeteria http://www.flintschools.org/ I am involed in a group that is focused on this issue, but I am not the spokespeson. These words are mine alone. You many be in other groups with school interest ,get this information out to your friends. WHY? BECAUSE MANY SCHOOLS HAVE TO BE CLOSED. The Flint Board of Education will soon pick which ones, schools to close, by resolution and budget. Responsible citizens should be involved early in this process and promote all or part of the community report or responsibly tell us why you disagree. Why? Because many schools have to be closed and when the ones to be closed are picked citizens will become angry when their childens school or their neighborhood school is planned to be closed. Responsible citizens get informed and get involved. What are your thoughts? Posted here and Good Moning Flint by Terry bankert If you want to give your opinion I suggest a thread on Flint Talk that follows. http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=40087#40087 OR SEND ME AN EMAIL AND I WILL SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS A BEST I CAN. ATTORNEYBANKERT@YAHOO.COM 112901

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Williamson recall will not cause change

GOOD MORNING FLINT!
1/11/09
My prediction is that Mayor Donald Williamson will not be re-recalled. Flint residents are in an economic depression. Flint residents are fearful of our plight and want a conservative running the city. We want tough and will accept the gruff. In an era of uncertainly the current Mayor is a "known" . It’s hard to like all about him but most like something about him. In a recall he will survive. The issues raised in the recall appear to have been present before the last election, at least in a general sense the voters have already spoken. Elections must mean something the re call should not have happened. I am not defending the Mayor, he is equally responsible with the City Council for the turmoil in this city. This is just my prediction and expression of frustration. In Flint we have bigger fish to fry. The real loss to us Flintoids is that we do not have a critical mass of formal (elected)and informal( community, union , church, education etc) Flint leaders working for our economic survival.
Terry Bankert

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GOOD MORNING DEMOCRATS!

Good Morning Democrats
1/10/09

For those who have the financial ability the local Democratic Party needs your financial help. The Genesee County Democratic Party, I am a member of the executive committee, relies on local contributions to do its business.

The following fund-raiser will help cover the day to day expenses of allowing local democrats to come together and plan for the future. Its also fun.

SATURDAY JANUARY 31ST.....SPORTS CREEK RACEWAY..$50 PER PERSON ( INCLUDES DINNER, RACING PROGRAM, ENTRANCE FEE AND A GOOD TIME)

Contact The Chairperson of the Genesee County Democratic Party for additional information. I suggest by email.
Jack Minore
610 Commonwealth Ave
Flint, MI 48503
jacksonmin@aol.com

Posted here by Terry Bankert
http://attorneybankert.com/

P.S. you can help the Local Party affiliates and the Michigan Democratic Party by being a paid member of the Michigan Democratic Party. Enroll on line at the following link, http://www.michigandems.com/join.php

If you would like to discuss public policy and politics join me on my face book page and my 1,000 friends to do just that.
You are invited.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Bankert/645845362

Posted first to Flint Talk
http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=39987#39987

112411

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