Our future?

Lax accounting, overspending, enrollment losses, sound familiar?


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CUTS, CLOSINGS AHEAD IN FLINT
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FLINT, Mich. - Lax accounting, enrollment losses and overspending all contributed to the $10 million budget deficit now facing the Flint School District, The Flint Journal reported.With no fund equity, the district likely will lay off employees and shut schools in order to close the gap, The Journal said in reporting on a presentation by chief financial officer Andrea Derricks. Enrollment has dropped by 25 percent in recent years,leading to a reduction in state aid, Derricks said, but she also pointed to consistent overspending in some departments and too little control over expenditures.

Michele Stinson, president of the United Teachers of Flint, told The Journal that she hopes the school board will look at cutting more than just teachers and support staff. Derricks said she has put in place controls that limit how much money is spent and who can spend it, The Journal reported, as well as a freeze on purchasing supplies.

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SOURCE:The Flint Journal, "Steep cuts, school closings looming in cash-strapped Flint School District,"
http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/11/steep_cuts_school_closings_loo.html

Leadership

Those of you that watch the Livonia school board meetings, or read the Observer “letters to the editor” will recognize Maggie Feher. Maggie is my neighbor, and as you may have guessed by the tone of her letter, she has not supported me since I won a seat on the school board.

I have tried in the past to reach out to her and explain my positions that differ from my colleagues, but her personal disdain for me has prevented her from hearing me. Because of her feelings toward me, I try not to engage when she attacks me. This time however, she has leveled some charges that I need to address. Here is the letter she wrote on 10/23/08:

Click below to see the entire letter.



































First, Yes Maggie I vote NO on principle and my strong conviction of putting kids first, not out of (as you say) cowardice. I will not simply go along to get along, and vote “yes”. I sought a seat at the board table, not to make friends, but to make a difference in the way we conduct our business of delivering a quality education. I am a politician of mission, not ambition. When I vote no it means I believe what has been brought before me is wrong. Also, I have always offered a viable alternative to what I am voting against, not just a “no” vote.


I promised the people of the Livonia School District that I would put the “public” back in public education and vote for what’s in their best interest, not what is politically expedient. I would rather lose an election doing what’s right, than win if I have to turn my back on the people who elected me.


Second, The smear letters that have been sent out concerning my personal life (which you seem to be such an expert on) have no place in this campaign and are simply untrue. I will not publicly discuss the details of my personal relationships, but I will say this unequivocally. I have never owed a penny in spousal support. I love my kids, and have always provided support for them, including FOC payments. I have never missed a court date that I was notified of, and have never been arrested or handcuffed!

No one tried to arrest me when I filed to run for office or any time since. I am in the public eye as both a performer and a trustee. Do you really think if someone wanted to arrest me that they would have a difficult time finding me?

Maggie, I have always taken responsibility for my actions. I don’t take the easy way; I take the way I feel is right, even if no one else agrees. That means some people will really not like me. I understand, but it will not change the way I work as a public servant. You may not recognize it, but it’s called leadership.