MEA heads initiative to find solutions to Michigan's dropout crisis
The first of 10 public hearings is scheduled next week to find ways to fix Michigan's dropout crisis, part of a statewide initiative headed by MEA to increase the number of high school graduates and stabilize a weak economy. Kent Career Technical Center in Grand Rapids will host the initial hearing 4-6 p.m. May 8. Invited guests will provide testimony about how the dropout crisis affects the economy, families and crime. Hearings are open to the public. Read more.
Hundreds rally for Grand Rapids school safety
Safe schools are essential to school success. That was the resounding theme of a rally Saturday in Grand Rapids where about 300 teachers, support staff, parents and community leaders gathered to call for an end to violence in the city's schools. Speakers recounted tales of school violence--this year alone a dozen assaults have been reported on teachers--and the need for the school district to work collaboratively with employees, parents and the community to develop solutions to the safety problems.
Southfield school board fires 350 dedicated employees
MEA will continue to fight efforts to bust unions, privatize support staff
Despite the persistent efforts of MEA members both at and away from the bargaining table, the Southfield Board of Education voted 5-2 last night to fire more than 350 custodial, maintenance and transportation employees—and MEA members—and sell their services to private companies. Read more about what happened Tuesday night in Southfield.
In a news release issued this morning, MEA vowed to closely monitor the school district and the out-of-state companies they contracted with, holding them all accountable to their promise that such a move would save money and improve education. Click here to read the news release.
"The Southfield school board members said this decision was in the best interests of students—and we're going to hold them accountable for this decision," said MEA President Iris K. Salters in this morning's release. "Student test scores better improve, class sizes better get smaller, necessary classroom supplies better be provided. And, most of all, the district better actually save at least $6 million a year. If not, MEA will show the community how the school board lied when it made this decision."
The board's unconscionable action comes after a report released by the Great Lakes Center pointed to evidence that privatization does not necessarily save schools money or offer improvements in support services. Click here to read more.
MEA will continue to fight these blatant attempts to bust unions, harm local communities and economies and threaten the education of public school students.
MEA President Iris Salters in The Detroit News
Let's halt open season on public school workers
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Teacher Day/Family School Day is May 6