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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