The Ypsi School Board, as I suspect you know by now, voted yesterday, at the urging of the State, to pass a Deficit Elimination Plan calling for the closure of yet another school, and the firing of close to 100 teachers and other employees. Parents, and those concerned about the state of Ypsi’s public schools, will be gathering tomorrow (Wednesday) evening to discuss possible responses. The following comes from our friend, Maria Cotera.
Dear friends of Ypsi Schools,
You may know by now that the School Board passed a revised DEP that called for the closure of one elementary school in 2013, as well as massive cuts in Special Ed, staffing, athletics, transportation, and the closure of Estabrook pool. This DEP is only the latest in a series of cuts that the District has been forced to make as a result of financial difficulties (largely) created by structural underfunding at the State level. I think it’s pretty clear after last night’s meeting that the District is in CRISIS mode, and is doing everything it can to stay afloat and avoid an Emergency Financial Manager.
Some parents have decided to come together to talk about what this means for the future of our schools. We have graciously been offered the space to do so by parents at Ypsilanti Middle School. I know this is short notice, but their PTO is meeting tomorrow, Wednesday (May 9) until 7:30 after which time we can come in and have a meeting about the state of the district and the role of the community in envisioning a sustainable educational system in Ypsilanti.
We will meet in the media center at Ypsilanti Middle School at 7:30. Turn right when you enter the building and the media center is just down the hall on the right.
Please forward this email to your parent/community contacts.
[note: Our previous discussion on the Deficit Elimination Plan can be found here.]
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I would hope that parents would turn out for the meeting tomorrow at the Middle School. The situation is as Maria says in crisis mode. As a board member who has been alarmed at the actions taken since the closing of Chapelle Elementary (the cost savings which I have been unable to obtain to this date), are alarming not only in a substantive sense but most importantly in the process i.e. the neglect and failure to involve members of the community. I do feel that this community must take back its schools and I as one school board member will to all I can to assist in that regard.
Thanks to Board Member Fanta and also (Kira ? sp) for showing leadership on this issue at the meeting. Wish I could say more for the others. Much respect for Maria Cotera (also all who stood up to speak at the last meeting) and her efforts to keep the people’s voices included in the public discourse.
Has anyone asked students in Willow Run or in Ypsilanti what their thoughts/feelings are about all that is going down in Ypsilanti around their schools?
take back our schools from whom exactly?
I didn’t expect for our elected School Board members to lock arms, make a statement, and get hauled away in handcuffs. I would have liked to have seen it, but I didn’t expect it. I would, however, have liked it if there was a little more passion. I’m tired of just whimpering and taking it. Where are we going to get serious, and plan a caravan to Lansing, or a trip to the Governor’s home?
I’m sorry I am just seeing this now, or I would have been happy to post information about the meeting on my blog, Ann Arbor Schools Musings, a2schoolsmuse.blogspot.com. Although I live in the Ann Arbor district I am interested in the Ypsilanti schools as well. Feel free to send me information about additional meetings at rlk234 (at) gmail.com and I will post them.
Glen Ford: Corporate Assault on Public Education
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdPACwRgw04
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