The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
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Officials look at district's future
State rescinds per-pupil funds
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: February 8, 2007
The Ypsilanti School District's Board of Education met Saturday to gather information and discuss issues relating to the current financial situation and plan for future district improvements.
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Transportation privatization
The meeting began with a presentation by Gary Chetoni and Robert Smith of Durham School Services, based in Illinois, on the company's proposal to privatize the district's transportation services. It is projected by district administrators that such privatization would save the district approximately $500,000.
The proposal is based on both the Ypsilanti and Lincoln districts participating, although the company said it would be willing to work with either one individually. In the current proposal, the company would use the Lincoln maintenance facilities and Ypsilanti buses would be parked on Ypsilanti property.
The company would buy the district's buses and replace several of them. Superintendent James Hawkins said the money from that sale would be put in a special fund in case the district decided to return to self-transporting at some later date.
Chetoni and Smith said the company would hire as many current drivers as possible. They said the company generally hires at least 80 percent of current drivers when they come into a district.
"Believe me, we don't have a bus full of people out there waiting to come in," Chetoni said.
They said other employees would be recruited from the community as necessary.
Drivers are evaluated two times a year on driving skills and passenger management. Drivers of vehicles equipped for special- needs students get extra training. Bonuses are given out for good safety records.
The company representatives said the pay scale is equal to or better than what the district is paying now, although they conceded their benefit package is not as strong. They do offer bonuses based on performance.
They said about 15 percent of their employees in various districts are unionized. Smith said the company has a strong redress system that has been recognized as being fair. In response to questions, Smith said the company has never had a work stoppage at any district, although it once came close.
"We bargain in good faith. We come in with our eyes open. Our relationship with our employees is first and foremost."
Both Chetoni and Smith encouraged board trustees to conduct visits to sites where the company operates.
"You'll see that safety, security and on-time delivery of our students is our first priority," Smith said.
The financial picture
Chief Financial Officer Alan Dowdy presented information on the district's financial outlook.
He said the Michigan School Business Officials predict 50 districts in the state will go into receivership in the coming year. Some experts are saying more districts will be in that position.
"Ypsilanti has been very proactive in working to prevent disaster," Dowdy said. "So, we're in better shape than most, but the time is coming for everyone."
Dowdy said the 2006-2007 budget had been originally made up including the $210 per student increase promised by the state. Recent information from the state shows the educational fund to have a deficit, however, and the Michigan Association of school Boards projects the state will renege on a total of $224 per student.
Dowdy said the withholding of promised funds will result in an operating deficit for this year of $547,000. That amount will be made up by taking money from the district's general fund.
But, Dowdy warned, the general fund will have a remaining balance of $1.6 million.
With state-mandated increases in health insurance and payments to the state's educator retirement fund, as well as projected increases in utilities and other expenses, Dowdy predicted the district will have a deficit of $4.2 million in the 2007-2008 school year.
"The problem is to get the legislature to realize there is a problem," Dowdy said. "It's going to take a large school district going under to get them to sit up and take notice."
Curriculum Coherence
"When I came here," began Richard Weigel, Executive Director of Educational Services, "There was no focus. Things were all over the place."
Weigel opened his presentation by explaining that not all grants fit Ypsilanti's needs.
"Our students don't need to be someone else's guinea pigs," he said. "Our teachers were so used to change all the time that they were expecting it."
Instead, Weigel set a goal of aligned acts of improvement to get all programs on the same track.
"When someone comes to me and says, 'We have the greatest science program and we want to pay you for trying it out on your students, I now have a standard answer. I ask them how it improves our students' reading, writing and math skills.
"They say, 'Oh, but this is the most innovative theory.' So, I say, 'If it doesn't improve our students' reading, writing and math skills, we don't want it.'
"Because that's what our students need to focus on. Unless they get those foundation pieces, we fail."
Weigel presented to the board members with information regarding a "systemic continuous improvement model" and explained how he is aligning the district's program for higher student achievement. He noted the trustees and administrators in the room would eventually move onto other things.
"It's not so much about making a difference," he said, "but leaving a legacy. We want to leave a legacy of continuous achievement by Ypsilanti students."
Kathleen Conat is a long-time Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for the Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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