Pontiac may lose state aid for failing to reduce debt
Even after two rounds of staff layoffs—the most recent on April 13—the Pontiac school district still hasn’t reduced enough of its $24 million deficit to receive its April 20 state aid payment.
The move by the Michigan Department of Education, who is overseeing the progress of the district’s deficit elimination plan, has questions about the district’s progress. Not only does the district stand to lose $1.25 million in state aid this Friday, future aid payments will also be withheld.
Forty teachers were laid off last Friday with only two days notice. Substitutes were hired to cover those classes.
Walter Burt, Pontiac’s interim superintendent, is looking to staff to bear the brunt of the deficit elimination plan since they are the most costly. However, mismanagement of funds by the administration is the reason the district is so deeply in debt.
The orange and black balloons and signs said it all—“I’m committed to the Heights.”
And more than a thousand students, parents, school employees and community members came out in full force to pledge their commitment to Muskegon Heights schools at Tiger Pride Day on March 31. The tiger is the school mascot—a fitting symbol for the fighting spirit evident that day.
MEA-Retired stands for Michigan Education Association-Retired. It is an MEA affiliate made up of current and retired public school employees. Although MEA-Retired is a part of MEA, it is not necessary to be an MEA member in order to join after retirement. Any person who receives a pension check from the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS), was on MEA staff, or has worked for a public school system in another state, is eligible for MEA-Retired membership. Currently working MEA members (including ESP and higher education) and MEA staff are eligible to join MEA-Retired and become active MEA-Retired members upon retirement.
MEA-Retired stands for Michigan Education Association-Retired. It is an MEA affiliate made up of current and retired public school employees. Although MEA-Retired is a part of MEA, it is not necessary to be an MEA member in order to join after retirement. Any person who receives a pension check from the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS), was on MEA staff, or has worked for a public school system in another state, is eligible for MEA-Retired membership. Currently working MEA members (including ESP and higher education) and MEA staff are eligible to join MEA-Retired and become active MEA-Retired members upon retirement.
