Resolution
The following resolution was passed by a unanimous vote of the St. Johns Public Schools Board of Education at their December 12, 2012 meeting.
– Whereas HB 6004 and 5B 1358 create a parallel school governance universe that is not accountable to the people of Michigan.
– Whereas it is believed that the proposed EAA expansion establishes undemocratic processes for the governance of education in the state of Michigan.
– Whereas HB 5923 establishes a revolutionary non-profit, or any other motivation, charter school world.
– Whereas it is believed that more charter schools will draw funding away from long-established public schools.
– Whereas it is believed that the strength of public education is in its structure and any new structure will require a painful dismantling of our current structure.
– Whereas our staffs’ work is difficult as they work hard focusing on achievement and adjusting to the changes that have already been made.
– Whereas our legislators’ work is difficult and requires extensive consultation and thought.
– Whereas we need to understand one another. We need to be kind to one another. And we need to provide one another with the time and consideration to provide Michigan families with the best model for their children’s education.
– Whereas public school systems form the nucleus of vibrant communities across Michigan and the bills pending before the legislature will adversely impact those communities, if enacted.
– Whereas the bills pending in the Legislature reflect a fundamental misapprehension of the causes of the many challenges experienced by public school systems in Michigan, a failure by the Legislature to effectively address those causes, and the unjust punishment of public school systems as a result of that failure.
– Whereas although the St. Johns Public Schools Board of Education is committed to the belief that public education in Michigan must evolve in order to best serve Michigan’s future, it remains concerned that the bills pending before the Legislature do not reflect the best interests of Michigan’s students and communities.
Be it Resolved that the Board of Education of St Johns Public Schools does not support the proposed expansion of the governance powers of the EM and does not support the proposed expansion of the chartering authority in the state of Michigan.
Be it Further Resolved that the Board of Education of St Johns Public Schools supports the legislature of the state of Michigan taking more time to work through the process necessary to create good law regarding the future of public education in the stale of Michigan.