Failure of Special Education Millage Proves Divisive for Macomb Voters
Comments left on the Macomb Patch website and Facebook page in the last 24 hours show township voters divided on the issue of special education funding.
The polls have closed and the millage rejected, but the issue of funding for special education programs in local districts is still sparking commentary among Macomb Township voters on the Macomb Patch website and Facebook page.
At the township level, the 1.2-mill property tax proposal, also known as the special education enhancement millage, passed by a vote of 5,120 to 4,705–one of the closer races in the county.
Opponents of the millage maintain it was the proposed increase in taxes rather than the need for special education programs that prompted their “No” vote, but supporters argue the millage’s failure had more to do with a lack of confidence in public education.
In any case, comments made for and against the millage suggest the issue of school funding is a divisive one in Macomb Township.
“When public school systems go down the drain because the government doesn't care enough about education and the only choice is private or charter schools then you will see the value of public education,” John Adams wrote on Patch. “People that voted no to this millage...don't have a clue what students' needs are and the services that are vital in helping students on a daily basis.”
Reader Joe Wier took an opposing view.
“This did not need to pass,” Wier wrote on Patch. “Many school districts in Macomb County are not fiscally responsible. I see so many districts remodeling and erecting new buildings despite a shortage of funds. The district I live in managed major renovations, new athletic fields and many other improvements while still having a cash surplus. Oh sorry I failed to mention it did so with out any raises to its current millage.”
Other readers took a strict dollars and cents view of the issue, foregoing comments on the organization of public education or need for more fiscal responsibility.
“The people have spoken,” wrote Chris Judnick on Facebook. “We just don't have money to give.”
L’Anse Creuse North student James Coller agreed.
“(People) did not want to pay any extra money, especially in a time when families are living paycheck to paycheck, such as mine,” he wrote on Facebook. “While it may not seem like a lot of money, around $100 per year may mean the difference between a few more meals or a couple of extra tanks of gas to get food and to go to doctors. It makes a difference.”
However, readers like Susan Formento Buffa and Kelly Gendernelle found the millage’s proposed $100-$200 tax increase a “small price to pay to make sure that ALL students are provided a equal public education,” Gendernelle wrote.
“People have no clue,” Buffa replied. “They will spend more this year eating out but they won't spend it for public schools. So sad.”
Rejected by 52.3 percent of Macomb County residents, the millage will not be levied in 2011, but reduced state and federal funding and lower property values will likely lead local districts to propose a similar millage in the future.
Local districts and the Macomb Intermediate School District have yet to comment on how the failure of this millage will affect special education programs this year and next.
In This article
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John Adams
Joined Patch Wednesday, November 9, 2011 -
Joe Wier
Joined Patch Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Dana Nowak
11:59 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Very very sad that this did not pass!!!! My son is in one of the special education programs and as I see him and the other students in these classes, I see how important these classes and programs are to each and every one of our children and to us parents as well. It really is a sham that it all boils down to politics and in the end it's our beautiful children that suffer! What a sad sad world we live in that we can't spare a little bit of extra money each year to help our children. I know some who don't care about this or don't think it's a "big deal" but try having your child in one of these programs and you'll see how "big of a deal" it really is!
Bleeding Michigan
1:26 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
School Districts need to be activly campaigning to receive monies from the $285,000,000 state SURPLUS that Lansing already has collected from TAXPAYERS !
That surplus should not be going to build a bridge to Canada or any other Snyder project until the schools get their fair share.
Ashley Roby Schreiber
2:37 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
My dad taught me even before I was of legal voting age that you never vote down a proposal that would benefit schools. Even if it means more taxes. My family of 6 lives pay check to paycheck and that wouldnt stop me.
Ticked off at Lansing
3:35 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
If people started screaming at the politicians in Lansing...starting with Snyder...maybe we could get more money back for the schools. Instead people just complain about paying higher taxes and won't fight those who keep taking the money away from all of us. I'll bet that most of you who are complaining about paying more taxes have never even once contacted any of your politicians about the continual financial raping of the middle class in general.
Tired Taxpayer
8:10 am on Thursday, November 10, 2011
There is just no more money in my budget to cut. Until I see the school districts doing more I won't be voting for any more millage increases. Until times get better the districts will have to make do with what they have just like many Macomb county families. The tax payer funded trough is dry. If you don't believe they have more they can do, just look at this chart:
http://robmontilla.com/2011/11/macomb-county-school-districts-using-financial-best-practices/
Scotty
8:37 am on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tired Taxpayer,
You're exactly right. Schools can cut more. School unions present the fallacy of lowered funding means worse education. Actually, the school unions are more worried that lowered funding means less benefits and less pay for their union members. The same union members that have still had pay raises all the way through the recession. The same union members that balk at high insurance costs that all of us in the real world pay. The same union members that top out at 80k+ a year for working 8a to 3p for nine months out of the year. The same union members that after receiving generous pay and benefits retire in the 50's and collect pensions funded by the taxpayers.
It's time to do away with the pension system for all new teachers. Give them a bump in pay to offset the lack of pension, and let them fund their own retire via a 401k. This money would be theirs to have and do with as they please. There would be no legislation or budget cut that could effect what is theirs.
Being a public servant is a tough job, especially being a teacher. However, it shouldn't be so lucrative. Let's get teacher pay in line with real-world pay.
Don't buy into the argument that the unions will tell you, that paying teachers less is going to hurt the kids. Don't buy into the argument that teachers need to get paid a big salary, have good benefits, and need to get a pension for working 8a-3p 9 months out of the year.
Ticked off at Lansing
7:30 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Scotty,
Contrary to the information you present to the public with your comments, I am a teacher and I spend my NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS doing "homework" during the 10 months I am in class. I justify my 2 months off as a tradeoff for all that I do outside of the school day during the 10 months I do work. I don't care about putting in the extra time. And how often do you work multiple hours outside of what I can assume is your 9-5 job? That is the problem with you and others like you who have NO clue as to what our job entails. This job is nothing like it was when I was a student. Expectations are high for us and for our students. Our curriculum is dictated by politicians - who in many cases - have never set foot in the classroom with today's students. The expectations in many cases are not age appropriate. When was the last time you spent time in a classroom other than for a party or for something other than a field trip? You could have gone into the profession, but obviously you did not. I challenge you to spend time in a classroom observing or helping out for more than a day. Until you do, you have no room to complain!
Julia
8:41 am on Sunday, November 13, 2011
You tell him, "Ticked off at Lansing"--teaching shouldn't be so lucrative?!? Since when did teachers become the enemy?!? I CANNOT believe how these people are being brainwashed.