Thug Watch

This page is dedicated to exposing the heavy-handed tactics unions or union-backed groups across Michigan use to attempt to intimidate and/or scare school boards or individual board members.  We also use this space to provide other note-worthy items.

Sign up for regular updates!

Resources

MEAexposed.com

Follow The Money: MEA contributions to school board candidates

EAG Response to "Wrong for Michigan" ad (video)

Got something to add?  Let us know!

A telling tale of two responses

We have a number of news stories come across our desk each day and this one struck us as 'revealing.'   Back story:  The Howell school board voted to lay off 16 teachers as a way to cut the budget.  It was probably an article most people raised their eyebrows about and thought poorly about the board.  Maybe even thought, "who's defending those people?"

You may recall that when Howell was considering contracting for non-instructional services, there were protests, picketing, crying, and general upheavalcreated in the community by the Howell union.

Well, so now they're about to can 16 people with direct interaction with kids everyday.  In all liklihood if these people are let go, class sizes will increase, kids will get dumber, and all sorts of other catastrophies will break out.

We have an exclusive audio recording of the press conference given by the union to show their outrage at the action taken by the school board.  Click here. 

How unfortunate.

Posted May 16, 2008, by Education Action Group

Numbers that will send Bill Bonds's toupee spinning

Veteran Lansing reporter Tim Skubick penned a column last week in the Oakland Press which should send a chill down the spine of every organized labor group bent on maintaining their grip on Michigan workers: Michigan voters overwhelmingly endorse the "Right to Work" concept.

Says Skubick:

A whopping 77 percent said they had no problem with a movement that would seriously dilute the influence of organized labor.  And even after all the anti-right to work and pro-labor union arguments were made, the number dropped to 72 percent support for right to work.

Wow.  72%. And the poll was done after the "Wrong for Michigan" campaign of TV and radio ads, billboards, and a full-page ad in the Motor City Bowl program.

From what we read, there won't be any sort of Right to Work initiative this year--a point Skubick reinforces.  His theory is it will be pressed if a Republican were to be elected governor in 2010.  Who knows if he is right--just because the idea would be good for Michigan doesn't mean a Republican would have the cojonas to pursue such a measure.

What these numbers tell us is Michigan citizens are ready for radical change to get Michigan going in the right direction again.  It will just take the vision of bold leaders to seize the initiative, no pun intended.

Posted May 12, 2008, by Education Action Group

GR Press unloads on GREA's, Helder's 'propaganda'

Apparently shocked that the MEA would stoop to such levels to win an election, the Grand Rapids Press issues a blistering editorial on the attempts by the GREA to characterize printed claims as fact.  They did it by dropping a key portion of a sentence to fit their agenda.

The editorial: "This propaganda goes beyond bargaining matters such as wages and work days. By, in effect, co-opting The Press in its campaign, the alleged 'news reports' in the flyer obviously lends credence to the union argument, though under entirely false pretenses."

More: "The longer this rift continues the harder it will be to repair the harm to the district. The focus needs to be on greater student achievement, enhancing instruction and bolstering enrollment."

That sounds nice and all, but surely the Press understands those things are irrelevant to the MEA.  To the MEA, if the issue isn't MESSA (and especially if it involves children) who gives a rip?

Indulge our prediction if you will: the district will soon give it's last best offer.  The union bargaining team will reject it.  The board will impose a contract.  The union will be divided by a strike vote, may end up actually striking and all hell will break loose.

But it MUST be done because it's for the kids!  We can hear it now, "a strike is in the best interest of the kids!"

If any good hard-working teachers wish to maintain any sort of professional dignity, they ought to oust Helder and replace him with someone whose mission is to represent employees responsibility and not destroy their district/employer/paycheck provider in the process.

Posted May 8, 2008, by Education Action Group

Have you hugged a public school employee today?

In case you missed it, yesterday was National Teachers Day.  To celebrate the joyous occasion, the MEA is teaming up with Eastern Michigan University to post billboards in eastern Michigan with the theme "Thank a school employee."

We haven't seen it published in any news outlet, but their press release tells the story.   It's interesting what they're doing--they're attempting to make the argument it takes a village to raise a child--in this case, it takes the full gamut of school employees to educate a child.

Does it?

We're checking into whether the MEA or Eastern--who, along with other public universities has been consistently raising tuition--is paying for the campaign.  We'll report it here.

Posted May 7, 2008, by Education Action Group

'Split decision' comes as defeat for MEA

Voters in the Grand Rapids district spoke yesterday by re-electing incumbent board president Kenneth Hoskins, bouncing incumbent Luis Pena, electing a motivated Jane Gieztzen.  They also elected pro-MEA Tony Baker to the one-year term.  But the reality is, 2 of the 3 union's candidates lost.

The Grand Rapids Press identified the outcome as a "split decision."  While Baker did win, reform must, and we feel will, continue.

The next few weeks will be pivotal for the future of the district.

It's our view the MEA supported candidates as a way to drive a wedge in the board and derail reform efforts.  We'll have to see if their one winner is enough to do that.

Posted May 7, 2008, by Education Action Group

GR union couldn't help but address EAG

We took the bold step of attending the GREA get-out-the-vote rally in Grand Rapids yesterday to see the spectacle with our own eyes.  While most speakers stayed on the script fairly well, a few managed to work in a swipe at EAG.

The first speaker, a Uniserv director for the district, acknowledged the other "friends of labor" in the audience.  About them he said, referencing the EAG mailing Thursday, "if they are union bosses, I'm a union boss.  And I'm proud to be one!"  The Grand Rapids Press picks it up from there:

The Union High School teacher [Jennifer Lovell] attended a teachers' union rally in Calder Plaza dressed as a cigar-chomping mobster to deflect a group's attempt to portray the Michigan Education Association as a bunch of money-grabbing gangsters. To give that point some sway, the Union High School teacher toted a placard that blared: "Mobster??? Parents, teachers and taxpayers."

Interesting assessment by the reporter.  When the postcard was in production, we e-mailed it to a friend whose response was, "that looks like a few taxpayers I know!"  Why Ms. Lovell would want to lump herself into a category with GREA president Paul Helder is beyond us, but hey, it's a free country.

"Beefing up the school board's IQ is a vote away," Donna Lutke, MEA associate executive director, is quoted as saying in the article.  Classy.  Lutke began her remarks by shouting, "SAFE SCHOOLS ROCK!!" 

Of district leaders, Helder said, "Public relations is more important to them than substance."  All indications are he actually said this with a straight face.

Most media reports peg the number of attendees somewhere around 300. Given the number of non-GREA attendees and spouses there, the GREA had a paltry turnout.  We'll have to wait to see how that reflects on their attempts to sway the election Tuesday.

Posted May 4, 2008, by Education Action Group

EAG accused of 'educational-terrorism'!

Union apologists continue to foam at the mouth over our MEAexposed.com PR campaign and documentary of the situation.

"Kidsaremylife" checks back in with this doozy, "This makes me sick.  This is educational-terrorism and it should be illegal!"  Peter Walsh, an attorney from Grand Rapids writing under the name "ppwiii" says, "Next time Olson comes to town tell him to either disclose who is financing his activities or get the hell out. ... Their only expertise is in putting lipstick on GOP/DeVos pig manure."

Yikes.  Who put the nails in Pete's cereal?

Let's begin with this:  we've heard of putting lipstick on a pig, but on the manure?  That's a new one.  Secondly, is it any wonder we honor our many donors anonymity? We'll gladly handle these pleasant dissenters for them.

What has come as a surprise to us is the interest in a simple little project as the video.  The foaming at the mouth?  That was predictable.  Stay tuned for the next stop in the MEAexposed express, arriving tomorrow.

Posted April 30, 2008, by Education Action Group

Union advocates stoop lower than we've ever seen

Much to our surprise, the documentary on the MEAexposed project has received a lot of attention and we're happy taxpayers are meeting it with interest.

It's also been an outlet for union apologists to anonymously tell the world how they really feel.  We began deleting postings on the page because we weren't going to allow it to be used for the union's propaganda and anonymous slander against school board members.

Then we decided, like the old saying, give a man a rope and he'll hang himself.  The true feelings of union apologists have become known.

From a self-described Gladstone student: "im [sic] a student along with gavin2009, adn [sic] this is complete bulls**t [editing by EAG]...our teachers need a contract..."  And from "kidsaremylife":

Unions allow teachers to protect kids: Just try fighting for kids, especially if what they need may cost a district a little extra money. Even with a union, administrators and Boards do all in their power to break teacher's spirit. Teacher can go from a spotless, perfect career...to one where the powers try to tarnish reputations. Harassment becomes a daily torture. They'd like to fire teachers when they don't honor their "silence" code, but unions give some security. Unions protect our kids!

Wow.  That's a spin we've never heard!

Someone too cowardly to put their real name on their comments, posting as "trueGladstone" has been quite active for whatever reason.  Beyond spouting information directly from the union talking points, he offered this bit of information, "I understand the Education Action Group has ties to the KKK, Nazis and other hate groups."  Slander some might call it, but considering the alleged source, we call it par for the course.

Stooping to that level we think is beneath even them, but we've been wrong before and may be wrong here.  And here's a little history lesson:  who opposed the 50s version of school choice?  The KKK.  They opposed the idea of people freely choosing where to send their kids for fear they may be "subjected" to integration.

It's not EAG who opposes greater choice, competition, and more freedom in education.

We'll make sure the community--and the GEA--knows who is advocating for them.  What's the old saying about the company you keep?

Posted April 25, 2008, by Education Action Group

EAG documentary on track to become cult classic

Move over Rocky Horror Picture Show, here comes the EAG documentary for MEAexposed!

We met with several individuals of varying backgrounds to talk about EAG's involvement in the Gladstone community--even the newspaper--and was largely met with indifference.  "The community already supports the board," one union apologist told us.

It wasn't until some naysayers showed up at the recent board meeting that the project finally garnered some media attention.

Out of the typical gasbaggery that usually occurs during public comment period at most school board meetings, this gem surfaced: "You-Tube cannot be viewed by students using school computers because it is blocked, however they are viewing it on their cell phones,” said Cindy Blahnik, according to a story in the Daily Press.  Blahnik, by the way, is a teacher in the district--a tidbit overlooked by the reporter.

Blahnik was twice quoted as saying she was "appalled."  Appalled that someone or some group calls out their tactics?  Appalled that a group would expend resources to highlight the hyprocrisy and self-interest of the MEA?  Appalled that someone would actually question the situation?

But let's get to the more critical question: our video is such a hot commodity that kids must view it on their cell phones??  

We apologize to the Orwellian Thought Police who would prefer to control their contract negotiations message in the classroom and object to students getting another opinion of the situation from someone else.

To see the video that for whatever reason is all the rage in the Upper Peninsula community, click here.

We see the video as simply a snapshot of one community, the issues they're facing, and our reaction.  And let's keep it in perspective: while flattering, to somehow equate it to all the things the MEA has been doing there is beyond a reach.

Posted April 22, 2008, by Education Action Group

Bargaining v2.0

Last week we launched MEAexposed.com with a billboard campaign in Gladstone because of their need to contain costs in a new contract and the unnecessary and unprofessional tactics the union is employing there to nullify those containments.

Well, in the spirit of that campaign, when this came across our desk this morning, all we could think of was: Bargaining v2.0.

The Madison school board has been going around and around with its employees trying to settle a contract and from news reports, it seems both sides are on totally different planes.

Now comes word that the union ratified their own version of a contract and demanded the board vote on it.  They didn't.

From the Adrian Daily Telegram:

Trustee Kyle Ehinger said approving the teachers’ version would set a “terrible precedent” because it would let the district’s unions think they could unilaterally present contracts to the board.

“I’ve been in a union for 32 years,” he said. “I’ve never heard of a union ratifying its own contract and presenting it to its employer.”

It's the new way of bargaining to gain the PR advantage. 

Union negotiator Jeannine Craig addressed her members in the board meeting, “Our only regret as a team is that we are not in a position to bargain the most important item of all, and that is the respect that all of you deserve. … Maybe your team cannot deliver the respect you deserve, but the board can.”

So because a school board does not ratify something that is dropped in their lap, that equates to a lack of respect?  Some will say anything to get the advantage.

Posted April 22, 2008, by Education Action Group

Sturgis Journal: Fair journalism?  What's that?

In perhaps one of the worst pieces of journalism we've seen--since the last story about the last Colon picketing scheme--Sturgis Journal writer Rosalie Currier pens a horribly biased, unbalanced article on the "crisis" currently underway in Colon.

[Teacher Sherry] "Engle hasn't had a raise since 2003 because teachers have forgone raises to maintain health benefits," the article says.

Says who?  Well, the Uniserv director, naturally.  More from the story:

Now, paying for those health benefits is taking more out-of-pocket expenses and still no contract, no raise, they said.

"Our expendable income is decreasing," Engle said.

That's more than the administration is willing to do, said Denise Munoz Pyle, a UniServ director with the Michigan Education Association.

UniServ is the bargaining unit working with the local teacher union representatives and the district's administration.

Wow, where to begin...  After Pyle's statement, sure the big bad administration would have some sort of comment on the situation?  No indication she dialed a single number for a quote from the superintendent or school board.

More: "Pyle and Walter Ochs, also with UniServ, joined picketing Monday in Colon."

Ah, Walter Ochs.  We remember him as the affable janitor Wally from our Churchill Elementary days.

"We're in crisis mode with our bargaining," Pyle said. "We're asking for fair and equitable increases."  Naturally.  Speaking of crisis, we visited the Crisis Center in Gladstone yesterday and will soon be reporting here on the contract fight taking place in that community.

It's surprising a newspaper such as the Sturgis Journal would publish such a shoddy story.  Perhaps they should rename it the Sturgis MEA Journal.

Posted April 15, 2008, by Education Action Group

Union urges caution about independent initiative online tutoring

The Detroit Free Press has a story today that says more and more kids are turning to the internet for tutoring online.  TutorVista.com president John Stuppy said demand for his company's services have doubled in the last 18 months., according to the story.

The reaction of the MEA?  "All kids learn differently, and online may not be the best learning style to meet their needs," said Doug Pratt, MEA communications director.

Well, duh.  That's like asking a car wash owner what he thinks of more people washing their car in the driveway.  "All people wash different, and washing your car in the driveway may not get the entire car clean," he could say.

No one is suggesting all kids use the internet to fill in the gaps.  You would think the union would be supportive of kids taking the initiative to do more to improve their test scores.  Then the union could take credit!

Posted April 14, 2008, by Education Action Group

K-zoo taxpayers successfully introduce reform into millage debate

Three cheers to John Prange of Kalamazoo who writes an articulate and well-reasoned column in Thursday's Kalamazoo Gazette.

The issue is a millage renewal Kalamazoo's version of an ISD, KRESA, would like.  They're vulnerable because they claimed in 2005--when it was originally passed--that it would be one-time and temporary.

In three short years, their tune has changed.  They want a renewal.  Cue Prange:

"A supporter of extending this 'temporary'' tax recently cited rising health-care costs as a justification for it. ... The best thing Kalamazoo County taxpayers can do for public schools is to show some 'tough love.' This means saying no to all requests for more taxes until school districts, with our support, finally rid themselves of the nightmarish health-insurance burden forced on them by the MEA, also known as the Michigan Extortion Association."

Mr. Prange perfectly illustrates the broader problem school districts face, and Kalamazoo taxpayers are bringing attention to the issue at precisely the right time.  Every level of government must show they're using their resources (er, our resources) as efficiently and responsibly as possible before asking for more.  Prange has made a strong and methodical case that that currently is not happening.

Posted April 12, 2008, by Education Action Group

EAG launches exposition on MEA

Today we launch MEAexposed.com, a website dedicated to exposing the MEA's hypocrisy and suppression of reform efforts.

We've had brisk traffic so far and are pleased to share the first contribution stemming from the project launch came from a teacher.

It just goes to show many of the rank-and-file get it and they know our (and likely their) real concern lies with the union bosses.

The site is complemented with web ads on RightMichigan.com and a series of billboards throughout the state, beginning with two in the community of Gladstone.  We decided to launch it there because of the over-the-top tactics and rhetoric employed by the union there to pressure the board into an irresponsible contract agreement.

Stay tuned for efforts in other communities around Michigan.

Posted April 10, 2008, by Education Action Group

Southfield poised to save beaucoup bucks

The Southfield district is poised to follow in the footsteps of nearby Birmingham to save millions of dollars by contracting for transportation and janitorial service and it appears the MEA is pulling out all the stops.  Published reports put projected savings at $2.3 million for the first year for transportation and $6.9 million for a 3-year contract.  Similarly, savings from a custodial contract are pegged at $3.5 million and $11.5 for 3 years.

$18.4 million over three years.  That's real money!

First they blustered at school board meetings, picketed, and attempted to scare the community into opposing such an action.  That didn't work.

Then they attempted to appeal to the more rational side of board members by handing out in dramatic fashion a report from the Great Lakes Center saying privatization doesn't produce the savings school leaders claim.  Just one problem: the "report" was written by an organization that is funded by the union--hardly an honest assessment.  And the humorous part of that was no Michigan district was included in the report.

Now reports come during the 11th hour that a bargaining session occured on Sunday to avoid the likely decision to contract with private companies expected tonight.

The MEA has invested significant resources to draw the line in the sand, including publicity such as this.  What will their next move be?  Recall board members who dare save money?  We'l bring it to you here.

4/9 UPDATE: The board voted to begin negotiations with transportation and custodial companies.  While the Uniserv director says they are offering a "substantial" package, and the board president says it's "not enough."  The union is still pushing for negotiating sessions, with one set for today.

Posted April 8, 2008, by Education Action Group

It's a crisis when we say it is

The Ionia Sentinel-Standard reports the Belding school district has reached another agreement with its teachers.  We say 'another' because one was reached in October only to be voted down by employees.  Apparently fully paid health insurance and 2% raises weren't sufficient.  Makes us wonder what would make them happy?

One thing we had to correct from the published report was this, "Because BAS have been without a new contract for so long, the Michigan Education Association (MEA) placed the district on the critical list Jan. 18, where it has remained."

Wrong.

Length of time has nothing to do with it.  If it did, a district we watched late last year, Holton, would have been put on the list long ago.  Holton didn't have a contract for 5 years.  They never appeared on the MEA's 'Critical List'.

The MEA has the list for its own PR purposes and it enjoys unquestioned validity by the media.  The MEA's philosophy is they're in crisis mode when they see they're not going to receive everything they've proposed.

It would serve the media well to treat such things with a little more skepticism.

Posted April 4, 2008, by Education Action Group

MEA exploits "loophole" in reform law, GR Press says

Well color us surprised!  The Grand Rapids Press has a story on their site today which says, "So MESSA is delaying compliance, greatly reducing chances that competition will break its grip on health care coverage for school employees for contracts being negotiated this year."

Chalk it up to frazzled lawmakers giddy to make a deal and a teachers union and its benefits affiliate indifferent to the fiscal situation of many school districts.

That adds up to what we already had before the process started.

Tomorrow, April 1, is allegedly the day MESSA has said it will have 3 months worth of claims data available to school districts.  Tomorrow, April 1, is also April Fools Day.  We'll see if this is MESSA's gag and schools continue to end up the fool.

Posted March 31, 2008, by Education Action Group

Pop quiz: who said it?

Surely this came from an unsympathic teacher-hating school board member...

"...We cannot expect to sustain, maintain, or improve services to the membership without having to pay the costs associated with that.  At the same time, there does need to be responsibility--somebody willing to step up and ask the challenging questions--the down-right hard questions--about how are we going to continue to operate if we continue in the same mode that we are with the same exceleration of dues, wages, and benefits for staff, given that there is not the commensurate growth with the membership who is paying the freight to carry everything forward."

a. a declining-enrollment-district superintendent

b. a school board president

c. a candidate for MEA secretary-treasurer

Jerry Swartz, Lansing union president and MEA secretary-treasurer candidate said it.  It appears the MEA is going through some of the same financial issues local school districts are and it will be interesting to see if they take the same angle with their members as they do with the districts they are negotiating with.  Teachers: hold onto your wallets!

Posted March 25, 2008, by Education Action Group

Do you know who's kneeding that dough: lunch prepared by private-sector hands makes kids dumber

Not only does privatization not save money, but it is also hurting student performance, says a University of Michigan researcher.

"While I hesitate to conclude that privatization increases class sizes, the results do not indicate that privatizing food services liberates resources for the classroom," Roland Zullo says.

Wow.

"More importantly, the study shows that private food service is associated with a reduction of 1 percent to 3 percent in scores on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP tests for grades 3-9), after controlling for affluence, school resources and student traits," this article published in the Dowagiac Daily News states.

Zullo's findings shouldn't be too much of a surprise.  It appears to be his pattern.  Just take a look at this document from the website against a Right to Work initiative in Michigan.

So let's take Zullo's notion that private companies make kids dumber...with a grain of salt.  Fattening salt, we're sure.

Posted March 25, 2008, by Education Action Group

Anti-privatization option is to lay off 35 teachers!

Today's Oakland Press has a story that says Birmingham is considering privatizing its busing and custodial services to save a projected $2.75 million to $3.7 million.

Or, as board member Michael Fenberg says, "we could lay off 35 teachers."

Robert Rice, day foreman on Groves High School's custodial staff has another idea: cut all departments to make up the deficit, which the district projects to be $3.2 million for the 08-09 school year.

This is a great illustration in determining what we as citizens philosophically believe the role of schools to be: educating kids, or continuing status quo spending on non-instructional services.

While we realize privatization would mean axing district jobs, school board members need to consider what the school's real role is and that is giving kids the best education possible.  These are not easy decisions and board members may face consequences in coming elections, but they must make them and if they explain them to the public, we believe the public will be on their side.

Posted March 21, 2008, by Education Action Group

Another district willing to take action against illegal strikers

Gladstone administrators have advised employees that following through on a strike threat may put their jobs on the line.  Previously, Brighton union president Barry Goode flaunted the MEA's $10 million strike fund to pay penalties of the law breakers and was met with a similar reaction from school leaders there.

The Gladstone district has been fighting with the teachers union for months now with the union ignoring any sense of fiscal reality.  In addition to declining enrollment, the union is attempting to treat the fund balance as their own personal slush fund--a fund balance, incidently, which is below what MEA staff considers "acceptable."

In addition to picketing and a crisis center, the union put a flyer in a weekend edition of the U.P. Action, according to the Escanaba Daily Press.  After reading this blow-by-blow story, the Press should have just published the flyer on their front page.

EAG is continuing to gather the facts of this situation and will continue to report them.  From what we can tell, this fight has broader implications than just the future of Gladstone.  For example, Mike Lagina, the spokesman for the local union, is also on the MESSA board of trustees.  Surprise--MESSA is an issue in the negotiations!  Surely the MEA will not concede any ground on MESSA in the district of a board member.  The MEA is spending considerable resources in this district and we'll get to the bottom of why and post it here.

Posted March 18, 2008, by Education Action Group

National group exposes union protection of incompetence

The Center for Union Facts, based in Washington, DC recently launched teachersunionexposed.com and got all sorts of media attention about it last week.

The site seeks to expose union efforts to protect incompetence and all sorts of other things.

As far as media attention goes, one of the most interesting articles we saw came from the Tulsa World because the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association was targeted by the group.

Linda Hendrix of the Oklahoma Education Association attempted to refute the Union Facts information and said, "We don't hire teachers; we don't evaluate teachers; we don't terminate teachers."

She also turned the legitimate discussion into an attack on Union Facts head Rick Berman and said, "I think he personally makes millions of dollars in the process of doing these things," she said. "The national Chamber of Commerce and their affiliates commit about $8 million annually to support this (Center for) Union Facts, so it's big business and corporations that are behind this."

Wow, where's the proof for those bold statements?  There is none but the Tulsa World apparently didn't have a problem not verifying the claims before publishing their story.

Posted March 18, 2008, by Education Action Group

Press & Argus calls saving $430,000 "right move"

In an editorial published today, the Livingston Press & Argus says Pinckney's mulling of privatization "might be [the] right move."  Contracting with a private firm for custodial services would save a projected $430,000.  That's real money.

Addressing the MEA's tactics in Pinckney, the P&A says similar actions were taken in Hartland.  "They warned us that the buildings would be filthy and the new custodians wouldn't care as much about the kids," the editorial says.

"We've seen no evidence of any of that in Hartland, where privatization seems to be working just fine. Financially, the move made all the sense in the world for Hartland.

"Likewise, it might be the right move for Pinckney," editors point out.

The editors at the P&A have common sense.  Here's to hoping the Pinckney board finds sense, too.

Posted March 18, 2008, by Education Action Group

Taxpayers find public servant in Highland Park

Highland Park resident Robert Davis recently took some of the school board members to court to force them to return fax machines, lap tops, Blackberries, and other electronics they "borrowed" from the school district to carry out their work.  What makes the story unique is Mr. Davis is on the school board.  That's right, he called his colleagues out on the carpet.  And he won.

"Some of the equipment which some board members requested goes beyond the scope and measure of what a board member needs in terms of carrying out their duties and responsibilities," Davis said in a WDIV story.

Acknowledging his relationship with fellow board members as "very confrontational and adversarial," he also said, "every dollar counts."

Mr. Davis wins our Taxpayers Hero award for today.

Posted March 10, 2008, by Education Action Group

MEA exec to have say in delegate fight

The folks over at Right Michigan recently had a breakdown of the now-famous Democratic superdelegates and the role they'll play in deciding the party's nominee for president.

Of the 12 or so superdelegates that are not elected officials, 2 come from the MEA--Luigi Battaglieri and Joyce Lalonde.  Battaglieri is executive director and Lalonde is on the NEA board and former chairwoman of the MESSA board of trustees.

When contrasted with what is reported above, we found this story from WILX-TV of Lansing interesting.  They listed the superdelegates as a "who's-who" of the Democratic party.  "Governor Jennifer Granholm and Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow are three. On the local level, Executive Director of the Michigan Education Association Lu Battaglieri of East Lansing is one, as is MSU Trustee Joel Ferguson," the reporter says.

The reporter also tries to make hay out of the embattled Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick as a superdelegate.

Posted March 7, 2008, by Education Action Group

Ideologically predisposed against saving money

Every once in a while, there's a story that just makes us shake our heads and wonder what some people think the real role of schools is.

An article in yesterday's Muskegon Chronicle tells us the Whitehall district is the last in the county to not join a consoritum to "contract with a private firm to supply substitute teachers."  Because of the contract, the Muskegon Area ISD will no longer organize the substitute teacher program.

Even though the program has saved money for other districts, some still aren't happy with the idea of--eek--using a private company.

Board member Steve Markel feels like a "gun is pointed to his head" to join the consortium and save money.  That's just a little over the top, isn't it?

Makes us wonder if Markel feels the schools are there to teach kids or are simply an employment agency.

Posted March 4, 2008, by Education Action Group

Weeping strings of the world's smallest violin

Belding union rejected offer--and blames district!

Back in October, the Belding Education Association voted down a 2% raise and fully-funded MESSA Choices II--a deal by most standards as pretty good for employees in today's budgetary times.

Now, they're blaming the school board and administration for not wanting to "consider alternative ideas."   What could possibly be an acceptable "alternative idea"?

"It's just really unfortunate because from our view it's not necessary to be in this position and we all have many more important things to do," BEA bargaining team chief spokeswoman Lynn Mason said. 

“Many times, most of the time when we did that, the district was able to prove to us that financial conditions necessitated it. We don't see that this year; our district does not have financial conditions that warrant us going backwards,” she said in a Ionia Sentinel-Standard article.  We can see her argument--it happens to be on page 2 of the MESSA Bargaining & Programs Brief, found above.  MESSA's technical word for it is "rollbacks."

We'll continue watching this one and see if EAG can be helpful in explaining it to the community.

Posted February 29, 2008, by Education Action Group

Union turning on their friends in Grand Rapids

The Grand Rapids Press reports today that Arnie Smithalexander is being investigated for allegedly using GVSU computers for school board campaign purposes. She works for GVSU.  What makes the story interesting is the person turning her in is a subordinate--who was on her election campaign team.  Smithalexander has been supported financially in the past by the MEA.

What makes the story even more interesting is the subordinate, Derrick Martin, is running for the school board this year.  Smithalexander is not up for election this year so they will not be opponents.

Add on top of that, Martin is on the executive committee of the Clerical Office Technical Association, the local GVSU affiliate of the MEA.

What we're suggesting is this information was expertly timed--by a chosen candidate--to intimidate and marginalize a former ally who has spoken out against the Grand Rapids union during negotiations.

As we've theorized on this site before--with the union's own playbook--they're systematically dividing the board and marginalizing the superintendent to get a contract settlement that suits them best.

Wake up, "mainstream media"!

Posted February 28, 2008, by Education Action Group

Battle Creek snubs collaboration, may lay off teachers instead

The Battle Creek Enquirer may have not even realized it, but they published an interesting side-by-side pair of articles today on the actions of the Battle Creek school board.  Looking at a projected $4.4 million shortfall for next school year, the district is considering whether or not to lay off teachers and administrators.

The article on the right side of the page says Battle Creek was the only district within the Calhoun Intermediate School District to vote against joining a transportation consortium for special education students that would have saved an estimated $3 million over 10 years by "streamlining inefficient bus runs."

So let's get this straight: the district would rather lay off teachers--and increase class sizes than contract for a non-instructional service?  Yep. BC's assistant superintendent for HR "said they did not receive assurance that bus drivers and aides displaced under the outsourcing would keep their jobs."

We'll wait to see if the MEA throws as big a fit over laid-off teachers as they do about health benefits or contracting for non-instructional positions. We'll wait, but we won't hold our breath.

Posted February 26, 2008, by Education Action Group

Livingston paper calls for more sunlight in negotiations

The Brighton teachers have been working without a contract (and yet, still getting paid) and have been so bold as to even flaunt their $10 million fund to pay fines related to illegal strikes.

Now, the Press & Argus editorializes, the union asked to meet in closed session with the school board to review negotiations.  By one vote, the board agreed to do so.

The P&A makes the argument that by agreeing to meet directly with union negotiators, the board is undercutting its negotiating team.  The union contends the board is "not hearing the correct story from its negotiating team," according to the editorial.

The editorial makes the opposite point: perhaps the board should meet with a small group of teachers and air their proposal...perhaps the teachers aren't getting a straight story from their negotiating team.

Then the editorial takes it one step further: perhaps both sides should agree to bring their offers out into the open for a little sunlight and public interpretation of who is being fiscally responsible.  If this were an appropriate hour, that's a suggestion we'd raise a glass to.

Posted February 26, 2008, by Education Action Group

Let's analyze MEA priority legislation to "help students"

The MEA held their annual Lobby Day yesterday and a whopping 200 people turned out. That constitutes a little over one-one thousandth of their membership.

Anyway, they were urging attendees to lobby their legislators for legislation "to help students."  Let's dissect their key legislative priorities, as they define them in this publication, shall we?

1. "House Bill 4533: MEA supports this bill, which would remove the prohibition in the Public Employment Relations Act against bargaining the impact of privatizing school support jobs." Student impact? None.

2. "House Bill 4628: MEA supports this bill to amend the Campaign Finance Act. Currently the law requires that voluntary PAC contributions by an employee be made in writing and such written requests are valid for one year. This bill would remove language requiring annual authorization of PAC contributions." Student impact? None, unless of course, they're seeking contributions from the kids.

3. "House Bill 4042/Senate Bill 11: MEA supports these bills to raise the mandatory school attendance age from 16 to 18." Student impact? Potentially some, especially on the education of the kids that want to learn, versus the kids who are a disruption but are required to be there when they're 18 because the state says so.

4. "House Bill 4073 and House Bill 4662: MEA supports this legislation to require that school districts offer full-day kindergarten programs." Student impact? None really--it just takes decision-making power out of parents hands.

5. "House Bill 5454: MEA supports this bill to fix problems with Public Act 106, a law that undermines the pooling strategy of MESSA." Student impact? None.

Way to "Put Kids First!"

Posted February 21, 2008, by Education Action Group

Hey, big spender

The Michigan Campaign Finance Network released it's annual analysis of lobbyist spending and the MEA came out on top.  "The Michigan Education Association shelled out the most money among individual interest groups. It's the state's largest teachers union," says a report from WTOL-TV.

The AP has a more thorough story and reports the MEA reported spending $626,536 on lobbying legislators.  What did they get for their money?  Well, they got their way on an income tax increase, but they also had to fend off-unsuccessfully for the most part--a reform to help school boards contain benefit costs.  But they've yet to comply with that, as we point out in a commentary in today's Detroit News.

So in general, we'd say they got their money's worth.

Posted February 21, 2008, by Education Action Group

A must-read analysis of public education contracts

Here is a column by one Julia Steiny, published in the (Rhode Island) Providence Journal.  It's a very interesting analysis of how teachers unions have adapted auto company contracts to school negotiations.  The basic argument is teachers should be much more sophisticated than the industrial unions.  A worthwhile read.

Posted February 20, 2008, by Education Action Group

Tactics that will turn a community

Tactics are often used against a school board or administrator in an attempt to sway the community against them.  It is happening now in Grand Rapids and has been happening for some time.  According to the Grand Rapids Press, the union allegedly held a "no confidence" vote and--surprise--they have no confidence in the superintendent.

Sometimes the union overplays their hand.   As is the case in Madison Public Schools.  They recently settled their contract but it wasn't without a public fight, and a part of an article on the agreement caught our eye.  Leaders there tell us the public didn't really get up in arms until this ad was published in the local newspaper, the Daily Telegram.  See, the union used the absurd tactic of attempting to suggest 5 board members were personally profiting from their position.

The overreach was too much for the community and they responded by backing up the board.

Posted February 20, 2008, by Education Action Group

Race is always the ace in the hole

Most of the time, we use this page to deliver news that we find in newspapers and other mediums from around Michigan.  Sometimes, the news comes to us via unsolicited opinions.

The case today comes from an e-mail from Bob Payne, a self-professed Grand Rapids Public Schools teacher of 34 years.  He began with the general union talking points about the on-going contract negotiations, but then waded into some waters that raised our eyebrows.  Suffice to say, when things aren't going your way, bring up race.

Two things he said we "overlooked": "A superintendent chosen for his willingness to antagonize the troops..." and "That skin color of the superintendent was a major qualifier for the position..." (emphasis added).

This type of comment doesn't deserve much response other than to call it pathetic.  And sure, the whole Doctor part of Dr. Benard Taylor had nothing to do with it.

And as far as "antagonizing" the troops, this seems to be a multi-year theme of Mr. Payne, even before Taylor was in the state of Michigan.  He appears on page 6 in the minutes of the May 20, 2002 Grand Rapids school board meeting where he is paraphrased to have said that "there are four problems as it relates to low teacher morale--testing, inefficiency, lack of consideration and common courtesy, and 'bottom of the deck' dealing..."

Back to the e-mail, he adds, "There is a strong base of teachers who are willing to work very hard for GRPS, but, unfortunately, a board and superintendent that cannot or will not seek to collaborate with their teachers." (emphasis added)  Please spare us.  Willing but it's implied they don't?  You helped to elect more than half of the school board, and they "cannot or will not" work with you?  Let's reanalyze the problem and see where it really lies.

Posted February 17, 2008, by Education Action Group

Local union leader calls MEA 'wimps'

We get some hate mail every now and then and have grown quite used to it.  Turns out more times than not, the people who object to what we say and stand for--surprise--have a vested interest in what we say.  And it's not because they're parents hoping their son or daughter gets a good education--no, it's typically a school employee.

Take, for example, an e-mail from today.  Rarely do people who attack us sign their name, but they must forget it's typically at the top of the e-mail.  Anyway, one Terese Fitzpatrick wrote us objecting to the statement at the top of this page, with an astonishing admission: "You have got to be kidding me?  The MEA is heavy-handed?  They're wimps."  She continued, "They have wimpy contracts that people are currently taking advantage of, using those weaknesses to 'club' the teachers."

We're not sure if this is some sort of reverse psychology or what.  But she ends her pleasant e-mail by saying, "You lie, you are motivated by hate."

Yikes.

But bear with us as we address her final point.  We don't hate anything.  In fact, we live by the phrase coined by Bob Dylan: "Don't hate nothin' at all 'cept hatred."  What we object to, Ms. Fitzpatrick, is a system that spends money inefficiently because of vested interests.  What we object to is an entity that tells its members that it's better to accept a health insurance brand that--oops, gives over $4.7 million in "marketing" fees to the union at the expense of pay increases.  What we object to is the tactics that are used against school boards simply because they want to save money to put towards educating kids (God forbid!) and still treat employees well.

So let's end the 'hate' claptrap and actually talk facts, as I just have.

The funny thing, though, is that Ms. Fitzpatrick is treasurer of the Walled Lake Education Association.  We wonder what her colleagues think of her calling them wimps...

Posted February 13, 2008, by Education Action Group

MESSA's money pile grows a little (actually, a lot) taller

As if MESSA's reported $268 milllion in assets last year wasn't enough, today MESSA released a statement acknowledging those assets grew by 33% to $359 million.

In an apparent attempt to CYA, they're pledging to "use $60 million to lower rates" in the coming year, according to MIRS (requires subscription).  Translation: instead of raising premiums by 12%, they'll just hit you with 7%.  What a relief they'll use a tiny portion of their fat profits to throw a bone to ailing school districts.  Too bad $60 million is $29 million less than what they made.  But who cares, it's for the kids!

We will post the statement from MESSA when we obtain it.

UPDATE: The Grand Rapids Press ran a story today entitled, "Is it time for teachers to pay?"  Kent County superintendents wonder aloud whether its time for teachers to share a small portion of their premiums and how much.

"Clearly, the needs of the Grand Rapids area are different than the needs of Detroit or a small district in the Upper Peninsula," said Doug Pratt, communications director for the Michigan Education Association, the state's largest teachers union.

"An arbitrary statewide percentage can only hamper local people making decisions based on what makes the most sense for them."

We'll let you translate that but we'll add this: it's not good for school districts.

Posted February 11, 2008, by Education Action Group

MEA media machine second-to-none

This morning Grand Rapids superintendent Bernard Taylor proposed sweeping changes to the school system with the goal of improving academics and right-sizing te district.  Instead, what gets more attention is that "many" employees didn't get to hear the speech.

"I can't comment on what Dr. Taylor said because I couldn't hear it," Paul Helder of the employees union said.  Huh, we didn't realize it was an address to staff.  We thought it was billed as a report to the community.

The Grand Rapids Press reports 660 seats were available in the gynmasium that held the event.  Helder supposedly requested 1,000 seats.

We attended and dare say roughly 1/3 of those in the gym were wearing black and yellow, the chosen protest color for the event by employees.

All the griping, from not being able to comment on the speech--even though Helder had no problem giving his opinion on the content before the speech was even delivered--certainly is unbecoming of professionals.

Posted February 9, 2008, by Education Action Group

Grand Rapids seeks to reform, MEA howls "assault"

It is not news to anyone that Grand Rapids high schools have been failing for quite some time.  Graduation rates are well well under 50%.  Under federal mandates, the district is required to restructure administrative as well as school bureaucracies.  And superintendent Bernard Taylor is poised to propose just that in his state of the schools speech tomorrow.

The response?  Well, he managed to receive one from the big boys. "This is a flat-out assault on our members' rights," MEA Communications Director Doug Pratt said. "We all have the same goals. We all want to help students in the best way we can or we wouldn't get into this line of work," he added?

Oh really? If you're in it for the kids, then why fight reform that will bring GR schools into the 21st century?

"We are the second-biggest city in the state and you are seeking to attract businesses and investment. We cannot grow this region without working together to improve the city's public schools," Grand Rapids union president Paul Helder said.

That's true--they are seeking businesses and investment.  We're guessing the antics displayed tomorrow morning at the speech won't do a lick of good in attracting businesses and investment.

Helder is a history teacher and he should file this one under "revisionist": "Helder in the fall said he believes Taylor 'declared war' on the union, and the relationship between Taylor and union leaders has become increasingly tense."

Check that--the only one that ever used the term 'war' is Mr. Helder.  The newsletter on his website proves it.

Posted February 8, 2008, by Education Action Group

"Next to nothing" seems like a lot to some

While employees slave away "working for insurance" in some districts (see next item), Grand Rapids union president Paul Helder contends it's not much better there.  "People want essential public services and we who perform those services can't continue to work for almost nothing and we certainly can't work for nothing," Helder said January 15 on WTKG-AM.

So what is Helder's opinion of next to nothing?  We decided to do a fun little academic excercise, put our limited math skills to work and learn something about contracts.

We'll spell it out in real numbers for first year teachers, 5th year teachers, and 10th year teachers, but first let's make clear the facts that are in the expired contract:  1. Employees are required to work 191 days.  2. The contract stipulates employees are required to work a minimum of 1840 minutes a week, which equals 30.6 hours a week or 6.13 hours per day.  That equals 1,171 hours per school year.  3. The chart is based upon an employee with a bachelor's degree.  Pay is high for higher degrees.  4. There is a provision that guarantees raises for employees, regardless of performance.  The raise averages 5% a year.

The common response is that employees work far more hours than what is required.  That may be, but the above is what is required. After looking at these numbers, we'd say Grand Rapids--and many other districts around Michigan--treat their employees quite well.

Posted February 5, 2008, by Education Action Group

Teach your Colon well

In a Sturgis Journal article that can hardly be called balanced, the writer proclaims in the first two sentences: "Colon teachers cannot go on strike. That option was taken away in 1994 when a school strike ban was passed in Michigan." As if making teachers without a contract work and teach kids is such a bad thing!

The article reports employees "changed from MESSA Insurance to MESSA Choice."   We say potato, you say potato, it's still MESSA!

Ron Scott, a 5th grade teacher for "several decades" said he hasn't received a raise in 6 years. "Basically, we're working for insurance," Scott said.  We haven't seen the Colon contract but in many other districts there is a longevity clause where senior teachers beyond the steps receive an automatic raise simply for showing up the next year.  So while Scott's automatic raise may not have been "increased" in 6 years, it's a little disingenuous to assert there's been no raise.

Posted February 5, 2008, by Education Action Group

Snow days have big impact

While snow days are often seen as a "day off school," Rochester board member Mike Reno makes the case today that they cost districts big bucks.   His assessment is it costs Oakland County schools some $10.2 million a day in lost instruction time.

He also points out the fact that oftentimes when the school closes, students of course don't report, but neither does staff.  He raises good points and it's worth a read.

Posted February 4, 2008, by Education Action Group

Are dues dollars of the best teachers going to defend the worst?

The answer to that question is quickly becoming: yes.  West Ottawa teacher Karl Nadolsky's attorney, Fil Iorio, spoke to the Grand Rapids Press for a story today and we knew his name rang a bell.  Sure, he's the guy that defended convicted molester Ronald Taylor (about a third of the way down the page), a former music teacher for Grand Rapids public schools.

And according to a January 3, 2006 Grand Rapids Press story, which is no longer available on-line, he was listed as an MEA attorney when the union sued bus contractor Dean Transportation.  A Holland Sentinel article from today lists him as "the attorney representing Nadolsky for the Michigan Education Association."

What's the link?  According to the MEA's LM-2, a financial document filed anually with the federal Department of Labor, the MEA paid Fil Iorio's practice, Kalniz Iorio & Feldstein Co LPA of Toledo, OH $218,913 for legal work.

And what point do the teachers who don't want their dues dollars going towards defending molesters and cheaters going to stand up and not take it anymore?

Posted February 1, 2008, by Education Action Group

'Grand Rapids school project a job-creator?'

"Don't think of it as a tax increase; think of it as an economic stimulus plan," reads the first sentence of an on-line story on the Grand Rapids Press website.

"In effect, this would be an opportunity for the community to pay itself," Superintendent Bernard Taylor said. "This would keep money right here in the community."

The article continues:

                Board Vice President Lisa Hinkel said school board members

                realize many area families are struggling to make ends meet.

                But she said the construction jobs would go to local companies     

                hiring West Michigan workers. That money then would filter

                back into area stores and restaurants, helping their employees.

They can't really be serious.  If that is the best they can do to sell a tax increase, they better stop right now.  Who are they kidding? If their argument is that raising taxes locally is okay because the money stays locally, why stop there?  How about the county creates an income tax to buy everyone season tickets to the Griffins?  Hey, the team and arena employs people in Grand Rapids and the money would stay locally.  It's nuts!

Posted February 1, 2008, by Education Action Group

Teacher's alleged behavior doesn't warrant defense

The Grand Rapids Press tells today of a teacher accused of helping students answer test questions and then standing idly by as students ridiculed their classmate who turned him in.  Administrators in the West Ottawa district have called 36-year employee Karl Nadolsky "unfit to teach."

"The other students reacted angrily; some called (the student) a snitch," Assistant Superintendent Rich Zuker wrote. "Mr. Nadolsky took no action ... thereby implicitly condoning their harassment."

His tactics allegedly included italicizing, bolding, or increasing the font size on the correct answers.  A study guide was also allowed to be used during test taking.  The Press reports Nadolsky teaches a biology class for sophomores who had failed at least once previously.  Here's to hoping they passed it with this sort of assistance!

"He knows or should know that such practices are improper," Zuker wrote. "He also failed in his role model responsibilities; by providing the correct answers, he implied that cheating on a test was an appropriate practice.

"The guy should resign, retire and leave," said Bill Bloemendaal, a retired teacher and a 12-year member of the West Ottawa board, according to the story.

Bloemendaal does think though that "Nadolsky could supervise a study hall or perform another school function."  He has demonstrated a willingness to help students with their test scores, so why not?  Taxpayers weren't getting their money's worth with this sort of behavior, so why cut him off now?

But on a serious note, it makes us wonder who will come to his defense?  He does have an attorney, Krista Durchik.  We've heard of the MEA defending people accused of much worse than this, but could they really defend someone "entrusted with the most sacred task of educating our children" and yet failing them miserably? So to speak, of course...

Posted January 31, 2008, by Education Action Group

When will state own up to HUGE unfunded pension liability?

This is a fact we've struggled to put our head around before, but it bears repeating: in 2004, it was revealed that the state of Michigan has some $19.3 BILLION in unfunded "pension and health care liabilities" for school employees.

By comparison, the general fund of the entire state government is somewhere around $9.5 billion a year.

How much longer will the state go ignoring the problem.  And to make matters even worse, the governor proposed this week using the pension funds to float money to "create jobs."

Phil Power of the Center for Michigan has a column in today's Daily Press & Argus on the subject.  He notes these liabilities account for 23% of school budgets today and rising. It's an issue the state must address before even 90% of school budgets is not enough for personnel.

Posted January 31, 2008, by Education Action Group

MESSA joins list of 'evil' outsourcers

MESSA is initiating a pilot program in Jackson public schools to track health habits in an attempt to drive down health care costs.  According to the Citizen Patriot, MESSA is outsourcing the program to Holtyn & Associates.  Why?  We'll we're really not sure, but we're guessing they realize it makes more sense to contract for such work than to hire their own staff to do it.  Makes sense to us.

As is happening in more and more companies in the private sector, employees' eating habits, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body-fat percentage, among others, will be monitored and "health coaches" will help to provide advice to employees to help improve their health.  We'll have to see if it turns into savings for school districts or if MESSA's reserves will continue to grow.

Posted January 29, 2008, by Education Action Group

Contract fights damage districts, distract from mission

We've been watching the fight brewing in the Grand Rapids district over the last several days more intently than most we would guess.  A reader sent us this video from WZZM 13, which hosted a "debate" between Grand Rapids superintendent Dr. Bernard Taylor and union president Paul Helder the day after the picketing scheme and boisterous school board meeting.

We understand tensions are heightened but the exchange in this 5-minute clip is just proof that there must be a better way than collective bargaining to decide compensation for employees.

You can just feel the tension and both of these guys, in a right world, are supposed to be working together to improve their district.  Instead, an extremely adversarial atmosphere is created, heels are dug in, and blood will be left on the floor.

The very notion of me suggesting an alternative to collective bargaining will bring about blood-curdling screams from union types, but somebody's got to do it if we want to have a public school system worth a damn.

Posted January 26, 2008, by Education Action Group

Union remarkably candid in benefits fight

We must give union leaders credit for being as candid as they were in a Grand Rapids Press story titled "Which teachers will pay first for health care?" in today's paper.

We must admit we like the premise of the article, that is: it's not if, but when.

The article points out the fact that union leaders know if they "cave" (article's word) on premium co-pays, other districts in Kent County will seek similar concessions.

"We have to be cognizant of that, especially as the second-biggest local in the Michigan Education Association," he said. "But I also have to say that we are watching out for Grand Rapids first, which is our responsibility," he's quoted as saying.

It goes without saying, but we'd like to clarify he's referring to employees when he says "Grand Rapids", not the community or the school district, and certainly not kids.

We see this as a remarkably candid acknowledgement that they dig in their heels because they don't want to be seen at the weakling who gave in first, or be accused by their superiors of agreeing to something that became the benchmark for negotiations in other districts.

We have to say it's refreshing to not hear the "fair and equitable" rhetoric and finally hear a real reason for the ugly contract fights.

Posted January 24, 2008, by Education Action Group

It's getting ugly in Grand Rapids

After the picketing was over last night in Grand Rapids, union members took to the school board meeting and things quickly devolved from there.  It's an ugly, unfortunate situation from the district at a time they can least afford it.

Some of the more outlandish signs: "They're kids, NOT products" (this after the union claimed they would not 'politicize' kids), "Our board does not value us", "What is the board hiding now?" and "GRPS 2nd lowest pay in county".

But does the union and its president care?  We'll give you one chance to answer. Paul Helder's comments literally caused one board member to cry. And according to our research, we'd submit to our readers that she supports the union, having received PAC money from them in the past. 

The media coverage overall was balanced, except Fox 17, which was decided pro-union.  You can view WZZM13's, here.  WOODTV8's, here.  As we publish this, we're still waiting for the Grand Rapids Press published story, but here is their blog version.

There are facts in this situation that the TV media so far has not dug deep enough to find.  EAG is currently assessing the best way to make those facts available to the public.  Stay tuned.

UPDATE: The Press's Dave Murray has used a press release we issued as the counter point to the union's statement at last night's board meeting and you can see his blog entry here.  He ends by wondering if the public will agree with EAG or "the people honking their car horns."  One of the signs we saw read "Honk if you support good schools."  Heck, even we'd honk at that.

Posted January 23, 2008, by Education Action Group

Brighton union continues to beat strike drum

"If teachers in Brighton Area Schools decided not to show up for work one day or went on strike, what would happen?" is the opening sentence from a story in today's Daily Press and Argus.  We have an answer: kids wouldn't learn.  But as we've quickly found out: kids don't matter in contract fights.

The next sentence: "About 260 teachers gathered Monday morning to hear that the Michigan Education Association would have their back."  As if that is a shock to anyone.  In what we consider an interesting irony, on the teachers "professional development day", more than half the union members gathered to talk about striking.

Union president Barry Goode also revealed that MEA counsel Art Przybylowicz told them the MEA would give "full legal support," which the article says includes, "defending teachers in court and repaying them for docked pay or fines."

In case we need to spell this out for people...to the MEA members reading this that are sick of the tactics they pay for, your dues are going towards paying for people to break the law.  Is it any wonder good hard-working teachers lose respect when their fellow teachers act like this?

What is to be gained by such a fight?  We're looking into the school-of-choice spots available in other districts and plan to inform parents in the Brighton district where they can send their kids to get an education without the strife and embarrassment brought on by the MEA.  Maybe the best way to deal with the problem is to cut the money off from the district and force Barry Goode and his comrades to face reality.

Posted January 22, 2008, by Education Action Group

All we got was a lousy t-shirt

Well, there's some resolution to the fight in Willow Run and when the dust settled, teachers essentially got what they had before.  Except, of course, the neon t-shirts.

According to the Ann Arbor News, by a 73% vote of its members, the union accepted a 0% raise and the insurance that was "imposed" upon them back in August when a contract could not be reached.

So driving through board members' neighborhoods, protesting at board meetings, and threatening job actions got them what they already had. The UniServ director in charge of that one sure earned their pay for that work.

Posted January 22, 2008, by Education Action Group

Nevada union-led voter suppression effort fails

A lawsuit filed by the Nevada teachers union seeking to block caucus voting in Las Vegas casinos was turned down by a federal judge.  See, the rules were set last year, but because the union representing casino workers went for Obama and the teachers union went for Clinton, suddenly it was unacceptable to have voting in the casinos.

"I'm tired of these two-faced politicians and Democratic-leaning hacks run down Republicans with charges of voter suppression, and the Democrats and one of their biggest base of supporters ­-- a teachers union ­-- turn around and do the same," Roland S. Martin said in a column on CNN.com.

Posted January 18, 2008, by Education Action Group

Pro-, anti-union tit-for-tat like two ships passing in the night

Flint Journal reader Gary Davis wrote a letter to the paper January 2 in which he took exception to what he says is "wrong" with public education today: "teachers unions that refuse to give parents any meaningful choices regarding the education of our children."  He covers a few other points we won't cover here, but if you're interested, you can find his letter cached here.  In general, he feels free-market principles could go a long way in helping to improve public education.

A response from one Earl T. Dunn sought to smack down Mr. Davis as nothing more than "another self-appointed expert."  "To my knowledge, at no time did any of these associations [NEA and MEA] ever take a stand against any parent sending a child to any education facility they desired."  Now that's just laughable.  We admit we can't keep up with all the news, but when did the MEA endorse charter schools?

Mr. Dunn ends by suggesting to Mr. Davis: [he] "may benefit from visiting some local education association leaders or a local school and discussing his concerns with teachers, and union officers." 

See, to Mr. Dunn, the union and its leaders are the gatekeeper to any sort of reform or change in public education.  It is the perfect story of why an entity with self-preservation in mind cannot be relied upon to lead a reform effort that may affect its well-being.

Posted January 18, 2008, by Education Action Group

Grand Rapids union gearing up for public fight

The Grand Rapids teachers union has been gearing up for months for a public fight with the district, and things appear to be getting much more public next week.

Apparently unprovoked, a couple months back union president Paul Helder declared "war" on the district and was publicly admonished by the editorial page of the Grand Rapids Press.

Now they're planning an "informational picket" next Tuesday before the board meeting and are claiming some sort of conspiracy in a "rumor" that the location of the meeting may be changing.

In a letter posted on its website, Helder instructs his members to "Be courteous (some in our Administration may not value courtesy, be we do)".  He asks them to refrain from "catcalls", "obstructing traffic", and says "do not litter." He is talking to adults, right? Professional adults really need to be reminded of those things?

Finally, he says, "We ask that students not attend this function...WE do not wish to see you politicized in our struggle."

Pu-leeze.  What a relief that in this instance of a union fighting with a school board we won't have to hear how they're "putting kids first" and "we're here for the kids."  After all, insurance co-pays and premiums have nothing to do with student achievement.  Repeat after me: insurance has nothing to do with education quality.

Posted January 18, 2008, by Education Action Group

Media needs to dig deeper in claims controversy

Districts--and the media--are beginning to pay attention to the recent reform that was passed to help school districts, but they need to dig deeper and expose who is blocking its application and why.

Union advocates got the best of both worlds: tax increases on hard-working Michiganders and a vague section of a bill they can turn their nose up at.  To make matters worse, they have relatively infinite resources to do just that.

The Grand Rapids Press published an editorial which acknowledges the new law, but they really need to follow up on the experience local districts are having trying to use it.

The Grand Haven Tribune ran a very thorough article on the subject yesterday.

"MESSA was the policy holder before — not the district — and the policy holder holds the claims data," Spring Lake Public Schools Business Manager Debra Miller is quoted as saying. "So (MESSA) did not have to share that information with us. But with that data, we are able to provide a much more accurate picture of our district to the insurance companies when it comes time to bid."

The problem is school boards need to vote to become the policy holder and even then they still can't obtain the information.  We're aware of one district that cast that vote in the summer and they're still twiddling their thumbs waiting for the information.

It's easy to assume MESSA and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, who actually underwrites MESSA, will not give up any more than they have to without court order.  And that can't possibly be good for schools.  But when did they ever have schools in mind in the first place?  Only when the premium payment shows up in their bank account.

Districts can least afford to have to wait to have a court tell them they can receive the information the law says they can.  But its beginning to appear that that is what may have to happen.

Posted January 18, 2008, by Education Action Group

Privatization fight comes to Southfield, union bearing its claws

The MEA is beginning to zero in on the Southfield district because it is considering using private companies to provide its food, transportation, and janitorial services. The school board is just looking at options, but the union isn't taking any chances.

We'll cite two stories from the Southfield Eccentric from December, which unfortunately are no longer available on-line. The first, from December 16, says the union--in an effort to not be negative--is collecting signatures as a way for citizens to "speak out against privatization." "We don't want to be negative, we want to be proactive," support personnel union president Michael Graves was quoted as saying. Being positive by being against something. Makes sense. The second is an article from December 20, but the picture really is the story. It shows two employees holding signs--one which reads, "If you pay less, you will get less! DUH!" They certainly won't be winning any debates.

Iris Salters again called privatization a "cancer" and Southfield union president Ted Peters said, “It’s all of us—if they can come for one, they can come for all of us. The one constant in all of this is the students we serve. They (the school board) don’t appreciate the work we do for the students, or they wouldn’t be doing this.

Here's to hoping the Southfield board uses tax dollars wisely. We'll keep reporting.

Posted January 17, 2008, by Education Action Group

Predictions playing out in claims data fight

While the new law that was passed last year--in exchange for tax increases--was heralded as a great achievement, districts are beginning to realize MESSA and Blue Cross Blue Shield (who actually underwrites MESSA) have significant resources to use to block districts from obtaining the information the law allowed them to receive.

Specifically, we're talking about Senate Bill 418 (now Public Act 106 of 2007), which forces entities like MESSA to release anonymous claims data for school employees for bidding purposes. The problem is they throw up their hands and claim they don't track the information by district. Yet somehow, they are always able to establish new rates the following year and no two districts pay the same rate for employee coverage. Strange, eh?

Case in point: Leland, Benzie, and Suttons Bay are looking to pool their employees together so they can meet the threshold to obtain the anonymous information. One would think districts working together would be considered significant progress. After all, the governor called for greater collaboration in her 2007 State of the State address. But, MESSA claims they don't maintain the information. Blue Cross doesn't either. Well how then on God's green earth can they possibly know how much to charge individual districts the following year? “When a school district fails to comply with the state regulations there are penalties,” Suttons Bay Superintendent Mike Murray said. “There‘s no penalty included in the law if (insurance providers) fail to comply,” he said in a thorough and well-written Leelanau Enterprise article.

Anyone who didn't see this coming is either extremely naive or an eternal optimist. MESSA's and Blue Cross's message is clear: over our dead bodies. We don't believe anyone is out to destroy business models or put people out of work. School districts are simply trying to harness competition to their advantage and some with a quart-billion dollars in reserves are trying to use those to block that competition.

Posted January 15, 2008, by Education Action Group

Union: No bonuses for hard working teachers

The Grand Rapids Press today endorsed Mitt Romney for president and in his interview with them, he advocated for bonuses as a way to incentivize hard work. When asked about his take, MEA spokesman Doug Pratt said, "We need to raise the salaries of all school employees to attract the best and brightest to the field," according to the Press. What interest does the union have in rewarding their members' hard work? None. It takes the power out of the union's hands to bargain collectively--propping the worst and holding back the best--and puts it in the hands of hard-working teachers.

One tidbit we can call only an understandment was this, "The MEA, of course, is often described as being cozy with the Democrats." Cozy? Try rounding third and heading for home. Page 68 of the MEA's annual report all unions must file with the federal Department of Labor shows a $35,000 "Phone Bank Deposit" from the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee. We're guessing they weren't overcome by their sense of civic duty and phone banked for the Red Cross.

The Press's Dave Murray, from whom this information is gleaned, reports he'll be speaking with Mike Huckabee on Saturday. For a preview of Huckabee's thoughts, check out this video.

Posted January 11, 2008, by Education Action Group

Union 'think tank' acknowledges school choice empowerment, claims parents care more about race than academics

Perhaps the most stunning admission from a recent report from the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice is, "School choice reforms, such as charter schools and vouchers, give parents the opportunity to decide which school is best for their children." And that, incidently, is why the union opposes charter schools and vouchers. The entire press release can be found here. If they can make such an admission, and purport to have kids' best interest as their primary mission, how can they stand opposed to this statement?

Who is the Great Lakes Center? They don't try hard to disguise their true intentions. After all, their executive director is Teri Battaglieri, wife of MEA Executive Director Luigi Battaglieri. It seems their main mission is to pooh-pooh any research or information telling the virtues of choice, competition, or increased standards for public schools. They are funded by the MEA and other school employee unions.

In addition to the stark admission about choice, we also found it odd that they would suggest parents of caring more about the race of other kids at the school than the academic performance of the school. Surely they give parents more credit than that.

Posted January 8, 2008, by Education Action Group

Board acknowledges problem, encourages teachers to think critically

Bronson teachers are the latest group to have a new contract and they were allowed to keep MESSA as part of the deal. Board president Jim Arver and vice president John Lindsey said they could have gotten a better deal.

"I'm very happy to have a contract, but I know that better, more affordable options are available when it comes to health insurance," Lindsey said, according to a story in the Sturgis Journal.

Arver said of the deal: "I am pleased that the contract was settled and we are moving forward, but the leadership of the MEA (Michigan Education Association) did our teachers a disservice. There were better options that would have saved our teachers more money. MESSA is a cash cow for the teachers' associations. I would have liked to see our teachers accept the same insurance that was accepted by administrators and support staff." This is a case similar to the Holton district apparently. Teachers turned down a 3% raise in favor of a 2% raise in Holton, all to keep the "cash cow" insurance, in Lindsey's words.

Posted January 8, 2008, by Education Action Group

Quote of the Day

"We must turn out volunteers in force to educate voters and show the scam-artists behind "Right to Work" that it is wrong for (the) Michigan (Education Association)." --MEAVotes newsletter

Posted January 3, 2008, by Education Action Group

Holland adjusts budget midstream, union prez isn't happy

The Grand Rapids Press reports the Holland school board has adjusted its budget to spend more money on "science, music, art, theater and physical education." You'd think that'd be good news, right? And more resources are going to instructing kids, right? Well, you'd be wrong.

"The numbers show that some of these gains are, in fact, being made at the expense of teachers," said Charles Bullard, president of the teachers union. See, he doesn't like the fact that they had to switch health plans away from MESSA, and co-pays "doubled" according to the story. We're not sure if they doubled from $2 to $4 or from $5 to $10. Either one, we'd be happy to have.

"Holland's strategic plan, adopted in August 2006, sets a goal for the fund balance of 7 to 10 percent, according to the HEA," the story reads. That's odd--what is the union doing speaking about board policy? Maybe they're setting the table for another contract fight because the district allegedly has more saved than they planned for. We seem to recall the late Al Short of the MEA being quoted as saying that it is acceptable for districts to have a fund balance between 10% and 15%. Seems like Holland is right in that range. Someone should tell that to their local president.

Posted January 1, 2008, by Education Action Group

Freep exposes union's protection of incompetence

The Detroit Free Press ran a story that can only be described as discouraging, yet unsurprising. It exposes the practice of moving tenured teachers accused of incompetence or worse to another district and wiping their record clean. Why? Because it's cheaper to settle with the teacher and allow them to move elsewhere than it is to go through the tedious process of firing a tenured teacher. And, oftentimes part of the settlement includes taking the action off their record, which the article asserts is against state law.

Doesn't anyone see the outrage in this process? Certainly not the MEA. Apparently too dicey of an issue for MEA president Iris Salters, MEA general counsel Art Przybylowicz fielded the questions. Of taking a deal and moving on, Przybylowicz said, "The teacher has to look at what's in their best interest." Huh, we thought they were looking out for the kids' best interest. After all, those kids being taught by incompetents are our future.

Districts agree it is easier to settle with a bad teacher than it is to actually get them out of the classroom. We used the word "easier," administrators use the word "cheaper." As one of our regular readers noted, "'Cheaper' for whom? Certainly not for students whose time or opportunities were squandered."

MEA urging voter harassment at the polls Jan. 15

The MEA has again contacted their members--as a part of a wider organized labor move--to get them to stand at the polls January 15 under the guise of "educating" the public on a possible Right to Work initiative. The real motive, of course, is to block signature gatherers and harass voters into not signing a petition so citizens could have a vote on the issue.

Some of the more humorous lines from the e-mail include: "Paid signature gatherers may be out in force on Jan. 15 trying to trick voters into believing that this law has something to do with everyone's right to a job." If anyone is being tricked, as organized labor claimed with another initiative in 2006, they should contact authorities. But that, of course, won't happen--just as it didn't happen in 2006.

They claim those collecting signatures will be "lying about the true intention of this law—to cripple union efforts to represent workers by allowing freeloaders to receive union benefits without paying dues or service fees." Freeloaders? Seems to us the union protects freeloaders now. And if the union is worth what they say they are, once workers are not required to be a part of them, that worth will be paid out in sustained memberships.

We have nothing to do with a Right to Work initiative and aren't convinced there is such a movement right now in Michigan. But judging by the reaction of the MEA to a phantom campaign makes us think advocates are on to something.

Note to taxpayers: schools are for employing, not educating

A potential fight is brewing in Southfield over privatization as the district is looking for ways to save money and "preserve programs," according to deputy superintendent Ken Siver.

“It is incumbent upon our Board of Education to employ the best management in the most fiscally advantageous manner,” said resident Thom Bainbridge, according to this story. School board President Nancy Miller said the board “values its employees but is forced to reduce costs while preserving programs and quality.”

Not so fast, madame president. “These are people,” said Michael Graves of Southfield, president of the support personnel union. You see, for some, it's important for a school district to serve as an employer than it is to spend money efficiently and fulfill their primary mission: educating kids.

Not all speakers were as sensible as Bainbridge. The article points out, "Another questioned the use of funds to open elite new programs..." What? Helping students excel? What nerve! Didn't they know those funds were supposed to go to the employees?

Predicting the old dog's next move

It could be humorous if the media didn't take it so seriously: union members are in solidarity with one another. We know--it's a headline as riveting as the moon landing or Saddam's capture--but some treat it as such.

We've written here periodically about the non-sense going on in Willow Run and it just seems to get more absurd. This time, area unions are voting on whether or not to stand in solidarity with the embattled brethren in Willow Run. And...wait for it, wait for it...they are! The Ypsilanti Courier carries a story of neighboring unions asking the school board to treat WR teachers "equally and fairly," MEA code for coddling the worst ones and holding back the best ones.

Oh, and for our regular readers, the MEA has finished with its work to "analyze the situation and make a recommendation to district teachers," according to the article. Their recommendation (someone really needs to teach this old dog some new tricks) is a "job action," with no specification. The union prez said they must "garner" community support before an action can take place. If their recent community forum is any indication, perhaps they should stick to educating kids and garner community support by wowing parents with an excellent education. Nah, that's no good.

Board resolve resolves contract dispute

We're happy to report teachers in the Holton school district have a contract and we're even happier to report the district will be able to realize an estimated $345,000 in health insurance savings. We'll call this one a technical knock-out. While the board was not able to move the union off a MESSA plan, they did move from SuperCare to Choices II, a savings of some $200,000. In addition, employees will now have a 10/20 drug card ($70,000 savings), and will contribute $100 in order to keep MESSA ($75,000). For the accountants out there, that represents a savings of about $315 per student.

When we got the heads-up that this was happening (for our union readers: it wasn't from the administration), we were informed that earlier that week, employees had voted down a 3% raise with a non-MESSA health benefit. Instead, they agreed to a 2% raise and MESSA. Here's to hoping the Uniserv director had a Merry Christmas with the bonus she received for keeping MESSA in the contract.

We were watching this case with particular interest because of how we got involved: we conducted a post card campaign into the community that suggested how savings could be found and urged the community to get involved. And they did. While we are the first to admit it is the school board and administration that does most of the heavy lifting, we believe we played a role, too, and look forward to playing a similar role in other communities in Michigan.

MEA files financials with Labor Department

Some interesting tidbits emerged from the recent filing all unions are required to provide to the U.S. Department of Labor. Some quick hits from the MEA's:

-MESSA paid over $4.7 million to the MEA for "marketing fees." Hopefully that should dispell the myth that the MEA and MESSA are not connected. Clearly the MEA's budget would take a hit if it no longer received these "fees" from an embattled MESSA.

-$6,290 to APS Cleaning Service, $20,700 to Dietz Janitorial Service, $107,728 to Ellis Cleaning Co., and $12,881 to H&M Landscaping. For an organization that berates contracting every chance it gets, the fact that they seek savings by contracting certainly is strange.

-$15,360 to Michael Lahti of Hancock, Michigan. We thought his name rang a bell so we did a search and turned up his occupation: he's an Upper Peninsula state representative. At this time, we wouldn't accuse the representative of impropriety, but it looks strange for an elected official to be accepting that sum of money from an organization that is also lobbying him for his vote on key issues.

-The real doozy that emerges is the compensation that is paid to MEA president Iris Salters. Her paid compensation for MEA activities is $254,864, not including benefits and retirement. Payment for sitting the Blue Corss/Blue Shield board (which underwrites MESSA) was a cool $30