Drug use among students is an area that always merits attention, but there’s something else about pot and schools to be concerned about. The papers are buzzing (sorry) with stories about how confusing the new medical marijuana laws are and many generally feel the law is being misapplied, misunderstood, flat…
Tag: Rick Snyder
Statistics misleading on Michigan Schools of Choice market
Rick Snyder is staying true to his free market principles as he continues to press his “Borderless Schools” proposal that would have Lansing foist Schools of Choice on all K-12 districts in Michigan. The interesting philosophical debate is whether Lansing intervention is actually more regulatory than free market based. Regardless, let’s look…
Forced choice is Pavlov’s dog
News of Governor Rick Snyder’s “Borderless Schools” proposal, or what I have termed his Forced Choice proposal, surfaced again this week when Michigan State Sentaor Phil Pavlov (R – St. Clair) reported that he hopes to have bills introduced into the senate this August and September. Said Pavlov, “There’s going…
The 3 R’s of Accountability: Readiness, Rhetoric and Reality
Self proclaimed education reformers and self-proclaimed voices of public education volley statistics back and forth to rationalize their position and agenda. Ultimately the only agenda that should matter should be that of the local community, but who’s asking them? On the issue that matters most, how we as citizens hope…
Expected state school aid bill: biggest cut ever, but not as bad as once thought
It appears Governor Snyder will meet his commitment and get a School Aid Fund bill passed in June. When you consider this bill is actually a two year bill, despite their painful effect, this is indeed quite the departure from years past when one year deals were done, and often…
My Detroit Free Press Op/Ed: Legacy costs are crippling schools
The following is my guest editorial that was published in the Detroit Free Press on April 22, 2011. I also created a PowerPoint presentation to further flesh out the details. You can access it here. Let’s start here as we view the Michigan budget in the context of the Lost…
Wisconsin & Michigan: Tale of the tape
Wisconsin has taken center stage in recent weeks as the poster child for state budget woes and the ongoing subplot regarding collective bargaining rights of state and local employee unions. The Badger State has become the standard of comparison as the majority of states in the nation grapple with historically high…
Snyder’s budget highlights mechanics of GPPSS contracts
In my last post I offered my analysis of Governor Snyder’s budget proposal. Let’s take a closer look at what it means strictly to the Grosse Pointe Public School System. I’ve reminded my readers many, many times that nothing has as great an effect on our local budget than Lansing’s…
Rick the Nerd and the Blustery Day
It was the day after Windsday, but a blustery Thursday in February will not soon be forgotten in Michigan. We all remember A.A. Milne’s story, right? This zany day in the Hundred Acre Wood saw Pooh getting himself caught in the honey pot, Piglet was flying around like a kite, only to…