Meanwhile.....

President Obama says the decline of education is "unacceptable for our children."

Obama wants to overhaul education system from 'cradle to career'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama began to flesh out the details of one of his signature campaign promises Tuesday, outlining his plan for a major overhaul of the country's education system "from the cradle up through a career."

President Obama says the decline of education is "unacceptable for our children."

"We have let our grades slip, our schools crumble, our teacher quality fall short and other nations outpace us," Obama said in an address to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "The time for finger-pointing is over. The time for holding ourselves accountable is here."

"The relative decline of American education is untenable for our economy, unsustainable for our democracy and unacceptable for our children, and we cannot afford to let it continue," he said.

The president outlined a five-tier reform plan, starting with increased investments in early childhood initiatives.

Obama noted that the recently passed $787 billion stimulus plan includes an additional $5 billion for Head Start, a program to help low-income families.

He highlighted a proposal to offer 55,000 first-time parents "regular visits from trained nurses to help make sure their children are healthy and prepare them for school and life."

He also pledged to boost federal support in the form of "Early Learning Challenge" grants to states that develop plans to strengthen early education programs.

Second, Obama called for an end to "what has become a race to the bottom in our schools" through lower testing standards. Echoing former President Bush's call to end "the soft bigotry of low expectations," Obama said states needed to stop "low-balling expectations" for students.

"The solution to low test scores is not lower standards; it's tougher, clearer standards," he argued.

At the same time, however, he urged states to develop standards "that don't simply measure whether students can fill in a bubble on a test but whether they possess 21st century skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, entrepreneurship and creativity."

To help promote this goal, Obama said he would push for funding in the No Child Left Behind law to be more effectively tied to results. The Education Department, he said, would "back up this commitment to higher standards with a fund to invest in innovation in our school districts."

Obama's third tier focused on teacher training and recruitment. He noted that federal dollars had been set aside in the stimulus plan to help prevent teacher layoffs. He also reiterated a promise to support merit pay, as well as extra pay for math and science teachers with the goal of ending a shortage in both of those subjects.

At the same time, however, the president warned that ineffective teachers should not be allowed to remain on the job.

"If a teacher is given a chance but still does not improve, there is no excuse for that person to continue teaching," he said. "I reject a system that rewards failure and protects a person from its consequences."

Teachers' unions have opposed merit-based pay, arguing that it is unfair because it leads to competition among teachers and because teachers face different challenges depending on where they are located.

Fourth, Obama called for the promotion of educational "innovation and excellence" by renewing his campaign pledge to support charter schools. He called on states to lift caps on the number of allowable charter schools.

He also urged a longer school calendar.

"I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas," Obama said. "But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom."

Obama's final reform initiative focused on higher education. Among other things, the president promised to boost college access by raising the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,550 a year and indexing it above inflation. He also promised to push for a $2,500 a year tuition tax credit for students from working families.

The American Federation of Teachers, a union with 1.4 million members, said Tuesday that it embraces Obama's goals to provide "all Americans with a comprehensive, competitive education that begins in early childhood and extends through their careers."

"We also fully support the president's call for shared responsibility for education -- among public officials, school administrators, parents, students and teachers," the group said in a statement.

"As with any public policy, the devil is in the details, and it is important that teachers' voices are heard as we implement the president's vision."

In promoting his program, the president called for an end to the "partisanship and petty bickering" that many observers believe has typically defined education policy debates in the past.

"We need to move beyond the worn fights of the 20th century if we are going to succeed in the 21st century," he said.

Obama also offered a rebuttal to critics who have accused him of diverting attention to issues such as education and energy at the expense of the deteriorating economy.

"I know there are some who believe we can only handle one challenge at a time," he said. But "we don't have the luxury of choosing between getting our economy moving now and rebuilding it over the long term."

And so it begins.....

Oakland Press

Pontiac schools' union members face layoffs

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 9:35 AM EDT

By DIANA DILLABER MURRAY
Of The Oakland Press

PONTIAC — Members of all Pontiac school district unions will be given layoff notices beginning today.

Layoffs will be effective June 30, but the district will notify by April 30 employees who will be returning to work in the fall.

The Pontiac Board of Education approved the layoff of all members of every district union at a meeting Monday night despite threats of legal action by Pam Farris, president of the Pontiac Association of School Administrators and Irma Collins, president of the Pontiac Education Association.

The drastic action was taken to provide an efficient way to call back employees, especially administrators and teachers, according to their certification and qualifications as well as seniority to a district that will be half its size in the fall under a restructuring plan. The district’s two high schools will be merged into one; the three middle schools combined at Madison Middle School; and several elementary schools will close, leaving seven in operation.

The 4-2 vote for the layoffs took place in a board room filled with mostly union employees and followed a report by Deputy Superintendent of Finance Felix Chow on the district’s dire financial condition. Vice President Gill Garrett and Trustee Robert Bass voted against the move, preferring a different process.

Chow said the district has lost 3,400 students in five years and enrollment is projected to drop by several hundred more in the 2009-2010 school year.

The district loses about $8,000 with each child. The board approved an amendment to the 2008-2009 budget to show a deficit of nearly $12 million by the end of June. Chow said spending is currently $16 million in deficit and he is in the difficult process of trying to get more than $20 million to provide cash flow to cover payroll and bills.

Detroit Free Press

Hundreds of Pontiac school employees to be laid off

Some to get callback; aim is to trim deficit

BY KORIE WILKINS • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • March 10, 2009

Pink slips will go out to more than 700 union employees in the Pontiac School District in the coming weeks after the Board of Education approved massive layoffs Monday night in hopes of trimming a projected $11.6-million deficit.

The move, considered unprecedented by some education officials, will affect employees including teachers, support staff and administrators.

District officials say they will have a plan by April 30 on how many staffers will be recalled for jobs in the 2009-10 school year. For those who don't receive callbacks, the layoffs take effect June 30.

"It's not right," said teaching assistant Sheila Williams, who has been with the district for 12 years. "It's a shame. I might not have a future."

The district has been working since October on a massive restructuring that also calls for closing eight schools in the 2009-10 school year, including combining Central and Northern high schools.

It's unknown how much money will be saved and how district officials will decide who gets a callback.

"The financial condition of this district should not be a surprise to anyone," said Interim Superintendent Linda Paramore. "We have difficult decisions to make."

About 50 people were at the Monday's meeting; only a handful spoke. "To lay off all the employees is just stupid," said resident Billie Swazer. "It creates a feeling of chaos. A blanket layoff is not acceptable to the citizens, and I'm not sure why there are not more of us up here."

Doug Pratt, director of communications for the Michigan Education Association, said Monday night that the MEA will monitor the layoffs to make sure the district follows union contracts and acts in the best interest of students.

He said layoffs like this are unprecedented: "It's unfortunate that they chose to take such drastic action."

District officials said the cuts are necessary because the district has been losing students. It has 7,200 students and space for 20,000.

Felix Chow, interim deputy superintendent of business and auxiliary support services, said revenues aren't keeping pace with expenses.

"If we don't act, we could end up like other governmental entities that give up any options," said Board Trustee Christopher Northcross.

Pamela Farris, president of the Pontiac Association of School Administrators, said the union will file grievances and may take legal action.

Board Superintendent seach continues

Teachers Response

Pontiac teachers respond to administrator's plans

Friday, March 6, 2009 1:55 PM EST
By DIANA DILLABER MURRAYOf The Oakland Press

Teachers’ union executives are urging that top school officials be fair and follow the union contract if they carry out a proposal to issue layoff notices to unionized employees in the Pontiac district next week.

The executive board of the Pontiac Education Association issued the statement after it met Thursday in reaction to the administration’s plans.Acting Superintendent Linda Paramore said she and her Cabinet are recommending that all employees be laid off effective June 30.

The unusual action is necessary, she said, because half of the district’s schools will be closed and high schools and middle schools will be combined, calling for major changes in staffing and leadership when schools open again in the fall.

The district is in the midst of restructuring in order to help eliminate a $12 million deficit and to improve student achievement.

On Thursday, the union’s executive board issued a statement acknowledging the union does not make decisions for the administration, “but it is this union’s responsibility to ensure that the current leadership follow the language of the contract.

“It is our duty to demand that this central administration and the board of trustees be fair, follow the contract and provide timely notice to our members.”

Paramore said the Pontiac Board of Education will consider the layoff recommendation Monday.

If the board approves the action, employees, including principals, will be given layoff notices as early as Tuesday.However, Paramore said her goal is to let employees know before the school year is over whether they will be returning to work next fall.

The goal is to issue recall notices by April 30 to all staff who will be returning in the fall. She is also hoping the district will be ready at the same time to notify parents which elementary school their children will attend in the fall.

All high school students will be in a new merged high school to be redesigned and located in the Northern High School building. All seventh- and eighthgraders will be combined at Madison Middle School on the Northern campus.

In order to complete the restructuring by the time school opens in the fall, the board has approved one-year contracts with two consultants. One is working on a redesign of the high school, the other to ensure all schools that remain open will be ready for students; that each school has a principal, teachers and staff assigned and classes and curriculum planned; that all equipment and teachers’ supplies are moved to the merged schools; and all the other schools are closed and secured in a proper manner.

Irma Collins, president of the Pontiac Education Association, Wednesday said she opposed the extensive number of layoffs.

Collins said she didn’t think it was necessary for the administration to lay off all teachers to accomplish their desired results. She said Thursday she had been told initially that about 100 to 160 teachers would be pink-slipped, which she said would have been adequate.

Union officials took the opportunity Thursday to send a couple of verbal barbs to the administration in their statement.

“We will no longer allow the Pontiac school district to blame the economic plight, lack of cohesiveness and inconsistencies on teachers. The current leadership has made a point to criticize this district for supporting a ‘friends and family network,’ while they continue to bring in past friends and colleagues as consultants.

“We will not sit by while this administration uses the layoff or displacement as an excuse to continue this practice. We oppose unnecessary funding to create positions for consultants. The funds should be directed to the immediate support of the classroom,” the statement read in part.

Paramore said meetings were planned Thursday and today with district employees to provide information and answer questions, and future meetings will be held as well. Layoffs will be done according to union contract requirements, officials said.

In the draft of a letter to be provided to teachers’ union members, Paramore said, “All employees will receive layoff notifications between March 10 and 12, 2009, hand-delivered to their work locations. Absent staff will receive their letter via certified and U.S. mail.”

To be eligible to be considered for recall, proof of certification must be on file with the human resources office. The recall list will be reviewed by the PEA president and will be published in all school buildings and central administration office.

The human resources and curriculum departments will initiate the recall process with the assistance of the PEA president. Staff members will receive initial recall notification via the telephone.

If not reached, they will receive written notification through first class and certified mail, according to the letter to union members.

Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.

Please join

STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM MELTON
& THE PONTIAC SCHOOL BOARD

For a town hall meeting to discuss the
"Promise Zone"
and find out how you can get involved.

Monday, March 16
6 p.m.
Pontiac City Hall
(Council Chambers)
47450 Woodward Ave., Pontiac

"Promise Zone" legislation was recently enacted that gives
our community the opportunity to provide FREE college
education to ALL students that live and attend school in
the Pontiac School District.

"The Oakland Ministerial Fellowship, as a faith-based group,
support the Pontiac Promise Zone district."
- Bishop Robert Simmons of Living Word Ministries

MODEL the PROMISE!

VIDEO: Cradle-to-College Education

An organization targets children in a 24-block area of Harlem, assisting more than 7,400 children and 4,100 adults.

By Converge Staff

Geoffrey Canada is the man behind what The New York Times Magazine calls "one of the most ambitious social experiments of our time." He is the president and CEO of Harlem's Children Zone (HCZ), a project that targets children in Central Harlem and follows them from birth to college.

According to its Web site, HCZ operates pre-school programs, after-school programs and the Promise Academy high "to ensure that Harlem students are prepared to enter and excel in college."

WASHINGTON POST / Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Fixing Our Schools

Having uniform standards and rejecting old excuses would help, the new education secretary believes.

Thursday, March 5, 2009; A18

COUNT US as among those who worried that the economic stimulus plan's huge infusion of new money for education would produce only more of the same failed programs. So it was heartening to hear Education Secretary Arne Duncan describe an unacceptable status quo of broken schools in this country. Not only does he aim to use stimulus dollars to drive reform, but Mr. Duncan envisions this moment as the start of a historic opportunity to dramatically improve the education of children.

"Our job, my job is to fight for kids," Mr. Duncan told Post editors and reporters yesterday as he sketched his plans for the more than $100 billion in new stimulus spending and his ambitions for U.S. education. He made clear that school systems in search of the new federal dollars must be willing to pursue his agenda for change and that his reforms will be built around programs with proven records of success. Refreshingly blunt in describing a "crisis" in education, Mr. Duncan lambasted the system of 50 different states setting 50 different standards for student achievement. He is right to call it a "race to the bottom" in which neither parents nor students know where they stand in relation to the rest of the country, much less the world. Mr. Duncan is not prepared yet to require national standards, but he made clear that a single set of standards, aligned for college readiness and benchmarked to international standards, is where the country needs to be headed.

Equally exciting is his push for improved student assessments as well as sophisticated data systems to track the effectiveness of teachers and the education schools that produce them. Mr. Duncan, former head of Chicago's public schools, has firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by schools and of what works. For example, he knows that students need more time in schools -- and that "talent matters," so schools have to reward excellence, put the best teachers where they are most needed and get rid of bad teachers. He realizes that it's important to reward everyone who is involved in helping a school succeed. But he's learned that there are bigger differences in teacher performance within schools than between schools.

We admire the fact that Mr. Duncan has absolutely no use for those who would use the social ills of poor children as an excuse for not educating them. "They are part of the problem," he said with disdain, arguing that education is the best way to end poverty. No doubt there will be opposition to his ideas from those traditionalists accustomed to the status quo. But Mr. Duncan made clear that his only interest is in what works.

Our President
Geoffrey Canada and Steven Colbert
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The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

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The MONEY to STIMULATE!

Michigan schools set to win big in stimulus

Granholm, lawmakers still debating final choices; utilities, cities want help too

BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF • FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF • March 6, 2009


LANSING — Detroit Public Schools stands to reap $530 million — $355 million with no strings attached — from the federal stimulus package that will hand Michigan nearly $7 billion over two or three years.

That appears to make the district, which has an estimated $150-million deficit and finances so tangled the state recently appointed a manager to take the financial reins, the biggest Michigan winner in the stimulus sweepstakes.

In all, the state and local school districts could have at least $2.5 billion to spend as they see fit, based on an analysis by the Senate Fiscal Agency.

How that money is doled out will test the political and fiscal convictions of the governor, state lawmakers, school officials and hundreds of communities and others with their hands out for a piece of the biggest federal giveaway.

Cities, townships, counties, schools, state government and electric utilities have given Gov. Jennifer Granholm their $50-billion wish list for stimulus money.

At most, there's two cents available for every dollar requested.

In addition, Michigan will get nearly $850 million for road and transportation projects to be decided by the state and regional agencies such as SEMCOG.

Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Granholm, said no decisions have been made about the discretionary stimulus money. She said Granholm insists it be used to create jobs, improve education and promote “the new energy economy.”

Boyd acknowledged heavy demands for the money, given the state's 11.6% unemployment rate and growing need for government assistance, adding, “We are approaching this in a very prudent fashion.”

Lawmakers' ideas

Two key lawmakers represent different views of how the state should spend its stimulus money.

Rep. George Cushingberry, D-Detroit, is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees all state spending. Sen. Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks, chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Cushingberry said discretionary federal money should be used for public schools, expanded government-paid health care for uninsured people and an early retirement plan for state employees, although he offered no details.

In contrast, Jelinek said the money should be spent on projects that create jobs and save taxpayers money in the long run, such as roads, water lines and sewers, or repairs to schools.

“We want to jump-start the economy, put people to work or keep them at work,” Jelinek said. “Increasing someone's retirement doesn't do that.”

House freshman Rep. Bill Rogers, R-Brighton, suggests using $200 million from the stimulus money to cover the up-front costs of converting the pension program for teachers and other public school employees from a traditional, defined-benefit pension to a 401(k)-style savings plan.

Such a change would ignite a firestorm of opposition from teachers and their unions, which hold their traditional defined-benefit pension as untouchable.

Granholm wants to use $1 billion from Medicaid and education stimulus funds to help balance the state budget and to prevent cuts in state aid to public schools and universities.

That would leave $1.3 billion at the state's discretion to spend, and $1.2 billion for school districts and charter schools, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency — $2.5 billion total.

Help for low-income students

Schools also will get $888 million earmarked for special education and to help low-income students.

School districts with proportionately large numbers of low-income students will get more money.

The northern Michigan district Mio-Au Sable, with 770 students, is to receive $1.3 million because it has lots of students from low-income families. That's more than will go to the 3,000-student Riverview Community Schools in Wayne County.

For a complete list of what school districts are estimated to get, go to www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa/main/K12Grants.pdf.

Cushingberry advocates using stimulus money to reduce the gap between what the top-spending and the lowest-spending districts pay to educate each child.

He said money could be used to purchase technology to create virtual universities. He also said stimulus money should be used to provide more health insurance to laid-off workers and other uninsured people.

“As a Democratic leader, that's the most important issue to me, to make sure everybody that we can gets some kind of health coverage,” Cushingberry said.

Asked what happens to schools when the extra federal money runs out, Cushingberry said, “If this economy in Michigan doesn't turn around in the next year or two, there won't be anything we can do anyway.”

Possible trouble ahead

Jelinek said he favors more state budget cuts, not fewer, to prevent chronic budget problems in the future.

He said the potential state deficit — pegged in January at more than $1.5 billion in 2010 — is likely to grow larger as the economy continues to falter.

Gary Olson, director of the Senate Fiscal Agency, said although Michigan will receive large amounts of federal money, it could be eaten up by ordinary demands for state spending. The state spends nearly $22 billion between its general and school aid funds.

The stimulus money for schools is a blessing and a concern, said Donald Wotruba, deputy director of the Michigan Association of School Boards.

The money will help avoid some layoffs, he said. But it could give a false impression that schools are flush.

“The public will be shocked because some people will still be laid off,” he said. “That will be hard to explain.”

Contact CHRIS CHRISTOFF at 517-372-8660 or christoff@freepress.com.

OUTSTANDING NEWS!

Grants to pay for early childhood education

Monday, March 2, 2009 6:04 AM EST
By DIANA DILLABER MURRAYOf The Oakland Press

PONTIAC – The Pontiac Early Academy for Childhood Education has been allocated $1.8 million to prepare children for success in kindergarten and the future.The 2008-2009 Great Start Readiness Program will fund up to 540 children at $3,400 a day for a total of $1.836 million. The grants allow the district to offer the program without charging tuition to the parents.

Breaking it down, the state funds will cover the $1,305,600 million cost of the combination of part-day, all-day/ alternative day, Head Start blend or Home-based preschool education for 384 eligible 4-year-old children at the PEACE preschool academy at Frost School on the city’s south side.

It will also cover the $435,200 cost of full-day preschool education for 64 eligible 4-year-old children.Next school year, Acting Superintendent Linda Paramore plans to open some full-day preschool classes at Whitmer Human Resource Center because the free fullday preschool program at Frost is so popular, there isn’t enough room to meet the demand at Frost School.

The funds were made available by the state Legislature because of the importance of improving school readiness for 4-year-old children who may have extraordinary need of special assistance, according to the resolution.The Pontiac Board of Education voted this week to approve the resolution accepting the funds and documenting how they will be spent.

The board also recently approved the purchase and installation of the Waterford computer-based literacy program at the preschool academy. Studies have shown children make great gains with the program, district officials said.The PEACE academy, which serves preschool children district wide, was opened in Frost School in September with Principal Deborah Broderick at the helm. It was cleaned and painted and spiffed up after being closed for a few years because of declining enrollment, said Mardella Alexander, acting chief of academics.

The school district hopes to eventually to add day care to finish out the day for children in the half-day preschool.All of the children are 4 years old. They come by school bus or with parents. Each class has a maximum of 16 children with one teacher and one assistant. Children with autism are included in the regular classroom.

ATTENTION: All Personnel

Massive layoffs expected in Pontiac school district

Thursday, March 5, 2009 5:23 AM EST
By DIANA DILLABERMURRAY Of The Oakland Press

All teachers and administrators in the Pontiac school district may be laid off in preparation for restructuring in the fall.

In fact, every employee in a school district union may receive a layoff notice effective June 30 if the action is approved by the Pontiac Board of Education Monday. Notices could arrive as early as Tuesday.

The news leaked out from union leadership earlier than Acting Superintendent Linda Paramore had planned.

She expected the news would reach the public on Monday, after staff was informed and the recommendation went to the board.Paramore called all union presidents together Monday.

“In our effort to keep the line of communication open with all employees in the district, I felt it was important to talk to the union presidents about process and procedures for their labor groups,” Paramore said.

In an interview Tuesday, she said she has plans to hold staff meetings to ensure that all employees are informed.Administrators see the action as necessary because half of the district’s buildings will be closed by fall, curriculum is being changed and the high school is being redesigned to incorporate four academies.

The 7,200 students are now in district buildings that have a capacity for 20,000, and will be in nine schools that house about 10,000 students.

Merging of students and buildings and the redesign of how the high school is operated means top officials may well put different people as principals at the schools that remain open, and teachers and other employees will be reassigned according to their seniority, certification and qualifications for the jobs that remain.

It is not unusual for districts to notify a limited numbers of teachers they will be laid off the next school year if administrators plan to make staff cuts. Then they call back those they will need. But laying off all employees is unheard of in this area, said Irma Collins, president of the Pontiac Education Association.

“We are very upset about this; this is a nightmare. They’ve never done anything like this. They say they want to do this so they can place them wherever they want them to go. It is in our contract they can be placed, that you don’t get a chance to choose where you want to go.

“I am meeting with the (PEA) executive board and they will decide then what direction they will take,” Collins said.Collins argues that the administration doesn’t need to lay off everyone; they could limit the layoffs to 100 to 160 of the district’s nearly 500 teachers, which she said was the original plan and which would be adequate.

In response, Paramore said, “We are trying to be more efficient and effective and eliminate some of the obstacles and areas we might overlook if we don’t almost lay everyone off.

“I want people to know we are taking a resolution to the board in our effort to serve the district in a more efficient matter by re-evaluating assignments of staff because of declining enrollment,” Paramore said.

Leaders want to make sure, for example, that when teachers are called back their qualifications will match up with the classes and age level they will be teaching.

“If the board approves it on Monday night, then next week we will be hand-delivering letters to each employee. We aren’t saying they will be laid off that day. All staff will be employed until June 30.

“It is our hope to have the entire recall process complete by April 30,” Paramore said, the same time she is hoping to notify parents what schools their children will be attending and notify staff where they will be working.

“We are redesigning all of this all at once. We are having to look at all curricular offerings at schools. We know we have to re-educate a number of staff. We also have to adhere to deadlines in everybody’s contracts. As we are inviting staff to come Thursday and Friday, we are saying we want you to know what we are doing and we will have more meetings for questions and answers,” Paramore said.

But Collins is against the move.

“These people (interim administrators) are all retirees from Detroit. They have antique ideas. They said they laid off the whole Detroit district once. Did they make Detroit better? Detroit is in worse shape than Pontiac,” Collins said.

In an action Jan. 26, trustees approved a restructuring plan that was presented by a committee of community residents, stakeholders and administrators and modified slightly by the board.

The two high schools — the 1,000-student Pontiac Northern and 900-student Pontiac Central — will be merged in a yet-to-be named high school in the Northern building. Central will be closed. Northern has a capacity of more than 3,000 students.

The three seventh and eighth-grade middle schools — Jefferson, Lincoln and Madison — will be merged at Madison, which officials say has more than enough room for the young teens and is located near Northern.

Jefferson and the attached Whittier Elementary will become a 1,500-student elementary school and Lincoln will be closed. The sixth grade was moved back to elementary schools this school year to help increase student achievement and will continue there. Alcott, Herrington, Owen, Rogers, Whitman elementaries and Kennedy School, a center for special education, will remain open. Owen Elementary is in a wing of Kennedy.

The district’s preschool academy will remain at Frost with some additional full-day classes at Whitmer Human Resource Center. A decision about where the alternative high school program will be held has not been announced.

Closing besides Central and Lincoln will be Crofoot, Longfellow, LeBaron, Franklin and Emerson and Bethune.

Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.

Take this Job and...............

Superintendent candidates withdraw

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 9:03 AM EST
By DIANA DILLABER MURRAYOf The Oakland Press

PONTIAC – Both finalists for the top job of Pontiac school superintendent have dropped out of the running, putting the school board back at the beginning of their search for a leader to take the district through restructuring.

T.C. Wallace Jr., superintendent of the Lansing School District, and Brian Ali, special assistant to the superintendent of Matteson Consolidated Schools 162 in Illinois, notified school board President Damon Dorkins of their decision shortly before a trio of trustees was set to visit their school districts this week.

Trustees decided at a hastily called board meeting Tuesday that they will begin the search again rather than look at some of the other candidates who applied for the position.

But this time, the board will take part in the search as well as the consulting firm that has provided candidates for the last two searches, Dorkins said. A total of 15 applicants were submitted to the board by Mike Wilmot, CEO of the Michigan Leadership Institute. The board selected five candidates to interview and picked Wallace and Ali as their finalists.

This is the second time a search for a new superintendent was aborted. A search last year ended when one of two finalists dropped out in the second interview stage and the board decided to start the process again.

This comes at crucial time for the Pontiac school district, which is in the midst of major restructuring. Wallace and Ali were in Pontiac last week for question and answer sessions with the community and second interviews with the board. A few employees and community members made it known they didn’t want Wallace because he had previously worked with former Superintendent Mildred Mason, whom he would be replacing. Mason resigned amid controversy two years ago.

Since then, there have been two interim superintendents, Calvin Cupidore and Linda Paramore, a retired administrator recommended by Oakland Schools who is in the position now.When Ali was here last week, he was told by one community activist, Fran Fowlkes, that the community would be tough on him if he got the job, but he should move ahead and do what he thought right for the district.

Irma Collins, president of the teachers union, was quoted in a story as saying she opposed the hiring of Wallace and was not yet convinced Ali was the right candidate.

On Tuesday, the board first met in closed session over the objection of The Oakland Press, which argued that meetings involving a superintendent search are to be held in public.

Dorkins said the meeting had to be closed because the board did not want to discuss the two candidates or the others whose resumes had already been submitted in a public forum.

Board attorney George Pitchford said all parts of the process would be held in public session.

After about 11 2/ hours in closed session, the board came back and Dorkins reported, “T.C. Wallace withdrew from the process as of Friday at 8 p.m. He did not give a reason and I still don’t have a reason why.

“As of Monday, I received a phone call from Dr. Ali at 9 a.m. stating he was withdrawing.“He said he prayed about it and talked to his family and stated this is not the direction he wanted to go,” Dorkins said.

“Today after discussing the candidates and search process we have determined we will move forward with another search, using the Michigan Leadership Institute and simultaneously the board will be conducting a search and getting information from potential candidates.

“The board is taking a more hands on approach than previously. We will use all of our resources to bear on the search,” he said, saying the board would reach out to leaders and members of several state and federal education associations in an effort to recruit good candidates.

The search subcommittee will meet today, then report to the full board at a study session at noon Friday. The board will also make a report to the community regarding the search at Monday’s 5:30 p.m. meeting.

Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.

A PROMISE that MUST BE KEPT!

Promise Zone plan for Pontiac draws praise

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 5:22 PM EST

By DIANA DILLABER MURRAY
Of The Oakland Press

PONTIAC – The resolution to create a Promise Zone and scholarships for all Pontiac graduates hadn’t even been approved by the Pontiac school board before donations of money and time came flowing in at a public hearing.

In a meeting filled with excitement, determination, accolades and even tears over the prospect of guaranteeing every Pontiac district child a college education, Leon Jukowski said his family of longtime Pontiac business owners would pledge $10,000 toward the effort.

The public hearing on the Promise Zone resolution brought out so many supporters that they filled the board room to standing-room-only and brought many accolades to state Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills, who sponsored and fought for passage of the Promise Zone legislation for two years.

Melton expects the Promise Zone guarantee not only to help children but to bring more residents and businesses to communities in the Pontiac district — like it has in Kalamazoo — to take advantage of the opportunity. “This is for the kids. This is life changing ... it is also community changing,” Melton said. “When I look at the combination of high schools in the fall, it is possible that first graduating class could be the first to be guaranteed a college education,” he said, to applause.

Pastor after pastor, several mothers with children in the school district, an Auburn Hills councilman, longtime Pontiac school supporters and representatives of neighborhood organizations were among the many who advocated approval of a resolution to make the school district a Promise Zone before the Pontiac Board of Education approved it.

Funds must be raised by the community for two years before a percentage of growth in state education tax dollars will be added to the pot to provide scholarships to Pontiac students.

Continuing fundraising may also be necessary, depending on how many tax dollars are available.

The original projection of need for the campaign last year was $750,000, “which would pay tuition for all kids that graduated high school that would go to college for year one and year two,” Melton said.

“But it is a rough number until the authority board is established and the criteria is in place.”

The amount of federal Pell Grant money available will also impact the amount needed and “there are a lot of other moving factors. I don’t believe the money is going to be an issue from the interest I’ve seen,” Melton said.

Several supporters noted they have little to donate but would give their time trying to raise the funds.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the resolution, with Vice President Gill Garrett absent.

Now, the state Department of Treasury has 30 days to certify that the school district meets requirement of poverty higher than the state average and allow the process to begin.

Melton wants Pontiac schools to be the first Promise Zone, since it is students in the district who first motivated him to introduce the legislation. Only 10 Promise Zones can be created around the state.

The Pontiac Promise Zone will be similar to the one created by a private group in Kalamazoo four years ago.

Since then, Kalamazoo has attracted 1,600 new students, increased the number of students going to college by 30 percent and has had a 5 percent increase in property values, Melton said.

Pontiac school district graduates, whether low income or not, will be eligible for funds that make up the difference between what a student can obtain in scholarships and grants and the full tuition at a public Michigan college or university or a similar capped amount for a private college.

A yet-to-be created Pontiac Promise Zone Authority will set the other criteria for eligibility and plan and implement a fundraising campaign and a sustainability plan. Two authority members will be appointed by legislative officials and nine by the Pontiac school board.

Renee Redmond, who is part of the Title 1 parents group at Emerson Elementary School, where her son David, 7, is a student, said, “I am so excited and so proud. I know we’ll be able to raise the money,” she said, offering the group’s help.

Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.

Leadership Inquiry Insightful

The Oakland PRESS

Second Pontiac superintendent candidate interviews with board

Friday, February 27, 2009 9:08 AM EST

By DIANA DILLABER MURRAY
Of The Oakland Press

Brian Ali, one of two candidates seeking to become superintendent of Pontiac schools, said the “Effective School Movement” he has used in other districts could help bring the Pontiac district back to academic achievement.

Ali, special assistant to the superintendent of Matteson Consolidated Schools 162 in Illinois, met with community members for a question and answer session Thursday morning and had a second interview with board members in the afternoon.

T.C. Wallace, superintendent of Lansing school district, had a similar meeting with the community and board on Monday. Wallace was superintendent of the Mount Clemens school district before he went to Lansing in the 2007-2008 school year. Ali was superintendent of the Kankakee, Ill., school district before he moved on to the Matteson district in summer 2008. Both are near retirement age.

Next, said board President Damon Dorkins, a trio of board members will visit and assess the school districts where the candidates work and talk to employees and community members. Before the board makes a decision, an evening meeting will be scheduled so community members and employees have another opportunity to meet with the candidates, Dorkins said.

Asked what ideas he uses to ensure children learn, Ali said the “Effective Schools Movement,” promoted by Ron Edmonds, is one that he has found most effective.

“It is one thing I subscribe to and have used in the districts I’ve been in. Leadership matters at every level,” from teachers through the school board, Ali said.

In an article titled “Revolutionary and Evolutionary: The Effective Schools Movement,” Lawrence W. Lezotte, said the movement’s research indicates what works for children is a clear and focused mission, safe and orderly environment, climate of high expectations, frequent monitoring of student progress, positive home-school relations and opportunity to learn, and student time on task.

Trustees and community members have focused on a report on the district done by the Chartwell Group, operated by Rod Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education. The detailed report covers an in-depth study of the district. The board has created a strategic plan to deal with the report and has been especially focused on spending money only for things that will increase student achievement.

Among the things Ali said are called for in the report include improvement in finances, restoring confidence, halting the exodus from the district and improving morale.

Both men said they would come up with a way to implement the plan to improve the district.

“This is ground zero for the school district,” said Fran Fowlkes, community activist. “This is make it or break it. There is no wiggle room. However, we are not asking for the stars and the moon.”

Ali said he felt a sense of urgency from the community members, such as community activist Beverly Garrison, to make the improvements called for in the Chartwell report.

“To say I could get things done overnight would be totally misleading; it didn’t happen overnight,” Ali said. “We can tackle it immediately. Those are huge issues. We have to get the train out of the station and get it moving in the right direction.”

H. Bill Maxey, vice president of the Pontiac branch of the NAACP, said he wants to see something done to keep 10th- to 12th-graders in school and involved in internships.

Ali said he thought children from sixth grade and up should have opportunities to be exposed to post high school education and careers. But he said it will take community partnerships to bring about change.

“What about a No Child Left Behind community mandate,” Ali proposed.

Rick David, from United Way, suggested there be a report card so that the community can judge the district’s progress.

Ali agreed. He suggested measurements he could be graded on could include the degree of parental involvement, the number of partnerships established and how viable they are, the number of students in internships, the number of students taking advanced placement courses and more.

“It is important to reach out and establish partnerships to serve students at every level,” Ali said, including community colleges, the labor market and laboratories for middle schools.

“Businesses call it their annual report and we can do that,” Ali said.

Some residents have voiced concerns about Wallace, using terms such as nepotism because he has worked previously with Pontiac’s former superintendent, Mildred Mason, who left in the midst of controversy with some trustees and employees.

However, Dorkins points out Mason is no longer with the district and that none of the board members have a relationship with Wallace or Mason.

Some employees also are concerned about Wallace’s habit of bringing administrators with him when he moves from one superintendent’s position to another — something he acknowledged during his interview.

Ali, who hails from Illinois, said he doesn’t know anyone from the Pontiac district.

“It would be presumptuous of me to begin talking about bringing people here,” said Ali, who explained he would want to assess the talent already existing in the district before he made any employment decisions.

Irma Collins, president of the Pontiac Teachers Association, is not yet convinced either candidate would be good for the Pontiac district.

Both have had some controversy in their previous district, she noted.

“We know that a change must come. Someone must be hired in the district. We’ve got to get rid of all these consultants.

“It is going to take some sort of person to lead this district. There is a question mark about Ali, but not the way we feel about Wallace. He should stay in Lansing.

“We don’t know Ali. We will have to do more research on him at the previous district where he worked.

“We’ve had so many bad superintendents, especially late in their careers, and they want to come here when the district is not in full bloom. So many have promised they can get us there. … and they leave us completely devastated.

“We know what we have and we are afraid of what we might get,” Collins said.

Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakPress.com.

The ART & MASTERY of BEING a "PLUSER!" (COLLABORATION ON STERIODS)

A LOOK at WHAT WORKS!

Seminal superintendent inquiry perhaps produces more questions then answers

Superintendent hopeful answers questions

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 8:37 AM EST

By DIANA DILLABER MURRAY
Of The Oakland Press

PONTIAC – The main question everyone is asking — in Pontiac and Lansing — is why Superintendent T.C. Wallace Jr. wants to leave the larger Lansing school district with his $175,000 salary for Pontiac, a district half its size.

Wallace, one of two finalists for the position of Pontiac school superintendent and president-elect of the Michigan Association of School Board Administrators, answered the question in a second board interview recently. He said a member of his family, whom he did not identify, has health issues. Another source said the family member lives in Oakland County.

The Lansing superintendent, who also answered questions at a community forum Monday morning from audience members such as Art Fowlkes and Irma Collins, president of the Pontiac Teachers Association, said he wants to be part of carrying out the restructuring underway to downsize the district to a more efficient size, redesign the high school, improve student achievement and help eliminate the $12 million deficit.

On Thursday, Feb. 26, the second of two finalists will visit the Pontiac district. He is Brian Ali, a special assistant to the superintendent of the 3,600-student Mattesen Consolidated District No. 162 in Illinois and a former four-year superintendent of Kankankee, Ill.

A community forum with Ali is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, where Ali will be open to questions from members of the audience. He will have a second interview by the school board from noon to 1:30 p.m. the same day.

Both men have doctoral degrees. News paper reports from previous districts indicate both men have been successful in raising student achievement, but there was controversy in their districts that remained even after they moved on to their current positions.

Wallace, who moved to sic Lansing from Mount Clemens, where he served 10 years as superintendent, is in his second year in the new position. He said when he arrived, the district had a $10 million deficit and now it has a balanced budget plus a fund balance.

Wallace is in the midst of several initiatives in Lansing to improve student achievement. Scores aren’t in, according to Lansing school board President Hugh Clarke, so it is too early to say whether the initiatives worked. However, he is optimistic they will because so much work has been put into the effort.

In Mount Clemens, the prosecutor did an investigation of finances at the request of the board president last spring after Wallace and his business manager, Venkat Saripalli, left for the Lansing district, although some board members were critical of the move — one calling it a witch hunt.

“In a letter to top school officials, Prosecutor Eric Smith said a two-month investigation into concerns raised by the district determined past administrators may have lacked “good business judgment” but also pointed the finger at school board members, reported the Macomb Daily in July 2008. “Many of the school district’s accounting problems stem from lax internal controls and a failure by the board to exercise responsible fiscal oversight,” Smith said in his letter. Wallace said at Monday’s interview that the prosecutor’s report was fair. However, he said neither he nor Saripalli were ever contacted by the prosecutor nor informed of the investigation.

However, he said, “A clear and unequivocal decision was reached that clearly exonerated” them.

“But (Smith) hammered home that there were issues at the board level,” Wallace said, noting the trustees who asked for the investigation “didn’t know the snake they picked up was going to bite them.”

Wallace said he traditionally brings Cabinet members and other administrators from one district to another when he makes a change because he tries to help them progress professionally, and they ask to come with him. That is one reason, he said Monday, that there is a “firestorm brewing” in Lansing about his possibly leaving. He said trustees are afraid he will bring some of his cabinet to Pontiac, where all cabinet members and the superintendent are in interim positions.

In an interview last week, Clarke was not happy that Wallace had decided to apply for a job in Pontiac with two years left on his contract and new initiatives underway there. He said he was taken by surprise.

The resulting controversy in Lansing brought television and newspaper reporters from that city to the superintendent’s forum in Pontiac on Monday.

Clarke said Wallace “has two more years on his contract that we anticipated he was going to honor.

“He would leave the district in bit of a turmoil. You can certainly expect turmoil and concern by staff. But we are an experienced board and we’ll hit the ground running,” he said.

Collins, who is president of the teachers’ union, said she didn’t feel Wallace answered her questions about why he would come to Pontiac.

Collins and others in the district have alleged that it is “friendship, kinship and relationship” in Pontiac that is bringing Wallace to the Pontiac district. Collins and others said Wallace has worked with former Superintendent Mildred Mason, who left the district in controversy, and that his wife, Rose Wallace, worked for Mason.

In addition, Mason had at one time proposed the board hire Wallace for quality control, but the suggestion never went further, said Board President Damon Dorkins.

But Dorkins said there is no nepotism or cronyism involved in the district’s interest in Wallace. He pointed out Mason is no longer with the district and said no one on the board has connections with her that would influence them to hire Wallace.

Wallace touted his experience as superintendent at several districts, his ability to connect with the community and his affiliation with state and national organizations that can help gain resources for the district.

Collins disagreed.

“I don’t think he has anything to offer the district to get us out of the situation we are in right now,” Collins said, alleging that Wallace, who earned his bachelor’s degree in 1967, has “ideas all in the past.”

“He is in the sunset of his career,” she said. “Why leave Lansing unless he is going to work until he is 100?” Wallace said he would stay in Pontiac no longer than six years, then retire.

Wallace suggested the board talk to the many leaders in state education who know him and know of his work if they want to be confident of his abilities.

Contact Oakland Press staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.

On Practical Wisdom Skills, Brilliance and the "Moral Will to DO the Right Thing"

Superintendents (Backgrounder Info)

Superintendent finalists gather praise, dismiss controversial pasts

Friday, February 20, 2009 6:03 AM EST

By DIANA DILLABER MURRAY
Of The Oakland Press

PONTIAC – Both candidates for Pontiac school superintendent have records of increasing student achievement and both resigned amid controversy from their previous districts.

Pontiac trustees on Wednesday selected as their two finalists Lansing Superintendent T.C. Wallace, a former 10-year Mount Clemens school superintendent; and Brian Ali, special assistant to the superintendent of the 3,600-student Mattesen Consolidated District No. 162 in Illinois and a former four-year superintendent of Kankankee, Ill., schools.

Community members and school staff will have the opportunity to meet both candidates from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. when they individually visit the school district Monday, Feb. 23, and Thursday, Feb. 26.

Both have achieved doctorate degrees and long careers in education, but have not been at their new posts for long. Wallace is in his second year as Lansing superintendent and Ali in his first year as special assistant to the superintendent to help increase student achievement in the Mattesen district.

Nonetheless, news reports from The Macomb Daily and The Daily Journal in Kankankee, Ill., that cover their former districts indicate controversy remained many months after they had moved on to their new positions. The newspapers also reported positive stories about both men and their achievements during their time in the districts.

Former Mount Clemens school board President Greg Murray and the new superintendent requested an investigation of finances last spring after Wallace and his business manager Venkat Saripalli left for the Lansing District, although some board members were critical of the move, one calling it a witchhunt.

“In a letter to top school officials, Prosecutor Eric Smith said a two-month investigation into concerns raised by the district determined past administrators may have lacked “good business judgment” but also pointed the finger at school board members,” reported the Macomb Daily in July, 2008.

“Many of the school district’s accounting problems stem from lax internal controls and a failure by the board to exercise responsible fiscal oversight,” Smith said in his letter.

Wallace could not be reached for comment Wednesday. His secretary said he was on the road.

In Kankankee, allegations were made that Ali purchased an Apple laptop computer with a district credit card. The charges against the district’s first black superintendent caused great turmoil in the community. Leaders of the black community say the $2,000 computer question was racially motivated and a way for the board president to remove Ali.

In the end, Ali resigned two years before his contract expired and his or concerns about them, “I always say to the board, this is someone who has great paper credentials but I have great concerns about them,” Wilmot said.

In Lansing, Hugh Clarke, school board president, who announced in 2007 that Wallace was his first and only choice as superintendent, said Thursday he did not have advance notice that Wallace was looking for another position. Wallace told the Pontiac board he has been reading about the restructuring the district is undergoing and wants to take on the challenge of carrying out the strategic plan to improve the district.

Clarke said Wallace “has two more years on his contract that we anticipated he was going to honor. He would leave the district in bit of a turmoil. You can certainly expect turmoil and concern by staff. But we are an experienced board and we’ll hit the ground running,” he said.

The Lansing board president said several initiatives have been initiated to increase student achievement but it hasn’t been long enough to know whether the initiatives have made a difference.

“We are constantly evaluating things,” Clarke said. “You have to wait to see the test scores. We would certainly anticipate with work that has been done with staff and professional development that we certainly expect to see improvement.”

He also said the board had evaluated Wallace twice during his first year and there were areas of progress and areas where more work needed to be done. He said he couldn’t remember specifics, but noted the documents are public. Kankankee, Ali said, “I would not comment on that other than to say that is something that is behind me and move forward.”

Mike Wilmot, president and CEO and Southeast Michigan regional president of the Michigan Leadership Institute, said it is common for superintendents to leave in controversy. Wilmot is the consultant who has provided search services, including investigation of each candidate for the Pontiac district.

“The reality is anybody who has sat in the superintendent’s chair for any length of time has had controversy, especially in today’s environment. That occurs virtually with any candidate you have,” Wilmot said. That doesn’t mean he ignores such issues when he becomes aware of them.

“We have our people (candidates) sign off” so their background and experiences can be investigated, he said. “We go to secondary and tertiary sources,” not the people provided by the candidates as references. We get reactions from them to what we are really looking for.

“The other resource we use all the time in doing our urban services is Chuck Mitchell. He is an experienced superintendent and serves on the National Association of Black School Administrators. We particularly look to him when we are dealing with candidates that are out of state that we may not know to get a good read,” Wilmot said.

However, Wilmot explained that the leadership institute does not recommend which candidates the boards they serve should select.

“We say, ‘Here are all the candidates who applied and here is how we evaluated them to the criteria you gave. These are close matches.’”

If Wilmot or Mitchell has questions resignation papers and the settlement amount with Ali were never made public, something The Daily Journal in Kankankee is still fighting to get as public record. The district maintains those records are private. Neither the board nor Ali would comment to the Journal on the allegation.

When Ali arrived in 2004, 52.5 percent of students met or exceeded Illinois State Learning Standards on standardized tests in the district measured as a whole. In 2007, the percentage of students has grown to 67.2 percent.

Mattesen Superintendent Blondean Davis invited Ali and another superintendent, who retired from a Blue Ribbon school district, to help her continue her efforts to move student achievement up.

“We are on a fast track in this district at 55 percent and my goal is to take it to 95 percent or better,” said Davis, who has been superintendent six years.

“To make that final leap I felt I needed some bench strength on the academic side.”

Davis said her perceptions of his abilities “have been more than true. I’ve offered him a permanent position here. I have fully intended to issue him another year’s contract. But he is so good at what he does, he really needs to get back into the seat.

“It would be difficult for you to do better. You can’t be confrontational if want cooperation,” she said, noting he has a good way with people.

Ali said in an interview Thursday, “I’m honored to be selected as a finalist and I look forward to next round of interviews.” He also expects “the multiple perspectives of members of the community be helpful and insightful.”

As far as the controversy at

Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana. dillaber@oakpress.com.

Creativity brings Innovation

Pontiac schools making some innovative plans

Thursday, February 19, 2009 6:09 AM EST

By The Oakland Press

In the past few weeks, the Pontiac School District has been taking some unpopular but needed action to survive. It is closing half of its schools and decided to combine Northern and Central into one high school.

Now it appears the district may not only be moving toward its survival but taking strides to significantly improve the quality of the education it offers to students.

In fact, shall we dare say that Pontiac could become an educational leader in the metro area?

That’s the message we’re getting from recent announcements of plans for the new, merged high school.

Pontiac’s new high school is scheduled to open in the fall on the city’s north side and will offer four magnet career academies.

Under the initial concept, the school will feature a revamped ninth-grade academy; a business, finance and entrepreneurship academy; an arts and communications academy and a scholars academy.

The BFE Academy will include the legal program already under way. All academies will give students the opportunity to earn certification in career areas. In addition, the building may be utilized the entire day, providing students the opportunity to do online makeup courses as late as 7 p.m.

The initial plans are impressive and certainly offer district residents hope for the future.

A first glimpse of the concept was given by Geralyn Stephens, with whom the Pontiac Board of Education contracted to create a high school geared to meet students’ curriculum needs and improve academics and career opportunities for youth.

The outline is intriguing.

Students, teachers and counselors would be divided into teams and stay with their teams for core and career classes. However, they also would take part in community programs, such as band, outside their team.

Teachers, counselors and social workers address the individual needs of the students on their team.

Each teacher will see where their students are and will work with the counselors and social workers to help meet their needs.

Under a restructuring plan, Central High School will be closed in the fall and Central and Northern students will be combined in a new type of school at the Northern building at Perry and Madison.

The four career academies were selected based on state required assessments given to ninth- through 11th-grade students that provided the top interest areas of students.

In addition, Stephens’ team did an audit of students’ transcripts to determine where they are in respect to completing high school graduation requirements. They found a need for many students to take some online courses to bring them up to where they should be.

Stephens stressed she only presented a framework, and said a team of staff, teachers, parents, special-education experts and students will be formed to work on details of the plan.

There appears to be quite a bit of work yet to be accomplished, but the plan is promising.

If it materializes as well as expected, it not only could help restore Pontiac’s diminished reputation as a school system but possibly catapult the district into a new, innovative leadership role.

Superintendent Search.........Update!

Superintendent finalists have long careers in education

Thursday, February 19, 2009 6:09 AM EST

By DIANA DILLABER MURRAY
Of The Oakland Press

PONTIAC – Lansing’s school superintendent T.C. Wallace has been selected as one of two finalists for the top leadership position in the Pontiac school district.

Also a finalist is Brian Ali, former superintendent of Kankakee, Ill., school district, who became assistant to the superintendent in Madison, Ill., in July 2008. Both have doctorate degrees, have had experience as superintendents and have had long careers in education.

Trustees selected the two finalists from four semifinalists at a special meeting late Wednesday afternoon after a 3 1 /2-hour interviewing session.

They said the decision to narrow the field was difficult because all candidates were competent professionals.

Community members will have the opportunity to interview one of the candidates from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, and the other from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, when they come back to visit the district.

The board will interview them a second time from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday and noon to 1:20 p.m. Thursday.

They will visit both men’s districts the week of March 3.

Wallace, who has been superintendent in Lansing for two years, was interviewed last week. He has served in many capacities in his 42 years in education, including several times as a superintendent.

“You have done something that causes me to be here. You have taken bold steps necessary in education if students are going to be impacted,” Wallace said, referring to the district’s strategic plan.

“You have set the district for success,” he said.

Ali also has been a teacher, elementary and high school principal, curriculum superintendent, superintendent and assistant superintendent during his career.

“I’ve become known as a turnaround superintendent,” Ali told the board during his interview Wednesday. “I am a good listener, and I can make tough decisions and I can be collaborative.”

Whichever candidate is selected for superintendent will have the unusual opportunity to select his own Cabinet because the district is running with an interim superintendent and top administrators now.

The new superintendent will be expected to lead the district through the final stages of restructuring, including closing half of the schools and redesigning the high school.

He also will have to follow a plan to eliminate this year’s projected $12 million deficit and ensure programs are in place to raise student achievement.

The other semi-finalists selected from 15 applicants were DeAngelo Alexander, program officer of The Skillman Foundation; and William DeFrance, superintendent of Eaton Rapids School District.

A fifth candidate, I.V. Foster Jr., superintendent of Prairie-Hills Elementary School District in Markham, Ill., dropped out of the running before his interview to take another position.

Mike Wilmot of the Michigan Leadership Institute, has been a consultant to the school board in its search for a new schools superintendent in the district’s second year with an interim superintendent. A search last year ended when one of the finalists dropped out in the second interview stage and the board decided to start the process again.

Oakland Press staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana. dillaber@oakpress.com.

Creating Community

I noticed At a School restructuring meeting that there is a dynamic group of people in Pontiac that serve as the nucleus of what could be a much larger creative force.Creating an open and enabling educational environment for the young folks in Pontiac could be the momentum to bring more people out, to really make the difference in creating a community that is a safer more healthy and fun place to share with your neighbors. There are a lot of tools to make that happen and perhaps even some "stimulus" money. Although peoples ability to find their Mo Jo and share it, is something money cannot buy.

Tent-poles established for envisioned execution!

The Oakland Press

New Pontiac high school to focus heavily on academics

Friday, February 13, 2009 6:08 AM EST
By DIANA DILLABER MURRAYOf The Oakland Press

The Pontiac district’s newly designed high school scheduled to open in the fall on the city’s north side will offer four magnet career academies within one building.

Under the initial concept presented Thursday at a special study session, the school will feature a revamped Ninth Grade Academy; a Business, Finance and Entrepreneurship (BFE) Academy; an Arts and Communications Academy and a Scholars Academy.

The BFE Academy will include the legal program already underway. All academies will give students the opportunity to earn certification in career areas. In addition, the building may be utilized the entire day, providing students the opportunity to do online makeup courses as late as 7 p.m.

The first glimpse at the concept was given by Geralyn Stephens, with whom the Pontiac Board of Education contracted Monday night to create a high school geared to meet students’ curriculum needs and improve academics and career opportunities for youth.

“As we look at the needs of the students, we have to look at things differently,” Stephens said. “We’ve got to look at other ways to do things. It will be creative. It won’t look like it does now and it shouldn’t.”

Most importantly, students, teachers and counselors would be divided into teams and stay with their teams for core and career classes. However, they would also take part in community programs, such as band, outside their team.

Teachers, counselors and social workers address the individual needs of the students on their team. There will also be efforts to help students have intern and work experience.

Under a restructuring plan approved by the board Jan. 26, Central High School will be closed in the fall and Central and Northern high school students will be combined in what will be a new type of school at the Northern building at Perry and Madison.

Stephens, who is a Wayne State University faculty member, stressed that she was presenting only a framework at this point. She said a team of staff, teachers, parents, special education experts and students will be pulled together to work on the plan that must be submitted in early March.

The four career academies were selected based on state required assessments given to ninth through 11th grade students that provided the top interest areas of students. Eighth-graders will be given the same assessments at the end of the school year.

In addition, Stephens’ team did an audit of students’ transcripts to determine where they are in respect to completing high school graduation requirements. They found a need for many students to do some online courses to bring them up to where they should be.

Each teacher will see where their students are and will work with the counselors and social workers to help meet their needs so they can succeed and achieve.

“Yes, it is a lot of work but fundamentally we have to change things,” said Stephens, who said she is convinced parents will want their children in a high school such as the one she is visualizing.

As the lead person in redesigning the high school, she plans to have everything planned, including students’ teachers and schedules in May, so that students and parents will know what they will be doing in the fall and will spread the word.

“Our students will be our ambassadors,” Stephens predicted.

Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana. dillaber@oakpress.com.

Possibility exists to exceed Brilliance! STAY TUNED!

Turnaround specialists hired for schools

Thursday, February 12, 2009 8:04 AM EST
By DIANA DILLABER MURRAYOf The Oakland Press

Turnaround specialist? Redesign project coordinator? These new titles at Pontiac schools may be unfamiliar and mystifying, but Sheryl Thomas and Geralyn Stephens, who will bear the designations, are seen as the keys to the success of downsizing the district by the fall semester.

Thomas, a retired Detroit schools administrator, will work under acting superintendent Linda Paramore to lead staff in the arduous job of shaping and implementing the restructuring plan for the entire district. Once completed, the plan will have merged high school, middle school and elementary school pupils and staff in time to welcome the district’s 7,000 students to half the buildings open today.

It will be the responsibility of Stephens, a Wayne State University faculty member, to use “dramatically different approaches” to redesign the new high school that will combine Pontiac Northern and Central.

She will work with students, faculty and administrators to carry out the project that will create a school with a new name and new colors.

The Pontiac Board of Education approved separate one-year contracts with Stephens and Thomas this week to ensure the complicated tasks are carried out in a timely manner.

Thomas said she was directly involved in closing 38 Detroit schools in a two-year period and assisted in writing the transition plan. She was assistant superintendent in the leadership and accountability office, and a principal and counselor before that.

Her company, Thomas Educational Consultants, LLC, will be paid up to $95,000 to work in conjunction with the acting superintendent and the incoming superintendent, to be hired this spring, to “plan, execute and finalize all projects related to the redesign of the school district,” Paramore said. “This includes tracking the district’s resources and coordinating the efforts for all necessary staff members, departments and third-party contractors involved.”

The Thomas contract will be paid from the general fund budget and runs through June 30, 2010.

“You’ve made the hard decisions. Now you need full communication and collaboration,” said Thomas.

“We have the opportunity to create a new Pontiac School District. I heard someone in the audience say, ‘We are going to make it or break it,’ and they are right.

“I have a manual with all of the steps. You are starting late, but it can be done,” she concluded.

Paramore said Thomas will “make sure everybody is on task.”She will outline every step that has to be taken between February through September. “It is a huge list.”

By Feb. 23, Thomas is expected to recommend a logistics contractor to move all furniture, equipment and files between buildings.

Stephens, who has been working under contract to coordinate and improve the district’s career programs, will be the turnaround specialist for the new high school that will be located in the Northern building. Her contract is not to exceed $100,000 and also terminates June 30, 2010. Her pay will come from federal grants.

“The Turnaround Specialist will specifically lead the design and implementation of our new high school by coordinating and collaborating with all district stakeholders, students, staff, parents and community,” Paramore said in her recommendation.

Stephens will have the authority to creatively manage people, time, fiscal and program resources in changing school conditions, Paramore said.

The high school turnaround plan must be written by March 9.

Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.

Possible Brilliant Stroke of Genius

School board votes to keep Whitmer open another year

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 1:35 PM EST

By DIANA DILLABER MURRAY
Of The Oakland Press

PONTIAC – In a surprise move, the Pontiac Board of Education voted to keep Whitmer Human Resource Center open one more year to give the district time to relocate students and programs as they restructure the district.

However, the majority of the children who now attend WHRC, near the city’s downtown, will move to other schools in the fall as planned.

Remaining in the WHRC building will be 350 students in kindergarten through sixth grade, several classes of full-day preschoolers, central enrollment, the teachers’ computer laboratory and meetings rooms, and several ancillary district services.

Whitmer was among the nine schools that were to close for the 2009-2010 school year in the restructuring plan approved by the school board Jan. 26. Discussion about the possibility of keeping the building open for one more year came up at a school board retreat at Oakland Schools over the weekend.

By fall semester, the district will be almost half its size. Officials plan to close one high school, a middle school and six elementary buildings, requiring school administrators to make major scheduling changes for students, teachers and school buses.

On Monday, acting Superintendent Linda Paramore made an official request to the board to keep Whitmer open one more year to allow some flexibility as the major transition is carried out over the summer and next school year.

“I’m recommending a reevaluation next school year,” she said. “I don’t want us to be in the position where we don’t have space. I’m not saying keep WHRC open forever. I’m just saying for the transition.”

Board Vice President Gill Garrett was happy about the proposal because he had argued to keep WHRC open during the meeting Jan. 26, saying he was concerned about moving the district’s new central enrollment office and all the district’s records out of WHRC when it was unclear where there would be space for them.

“We are not sure where we will house the furniture and equipment from the other buildings,” Garrett said.

In addition, Paramore pointed out if the district receives funds from the federal stimulus package to repair buildings, as trustees hope, the district may need the space at WHRC to provide temporary classrooms for students who must be moved while work is being done at their schools.

About 350 children in kindergarten through sixth grade will be at the school for the 2009-2010 school year, Paramore said.

In addition, she recommends moving some of the all-day preschool children to Whitmer, which will bring $240,000 to the district. The district opened a preschool academy at Frost school last year, but has not had the required space to meet the demand for full-day preschool.

The preschool addition will pay for itself,” she said, in terms of dollars and enhancing test scores as the youngsters grow up.

“As the district evaluates where we are in terms of enrollment and whether we have adequate space for ancillary staff, the board will have to take under consideration whether it would remain open beyond the 2009-2010 school year,” Paramore said.

Even as Garrett acclaimed the WHRC decision as a positive one, Trustee Christopher Northcross said he was concerned about leaving open a building that was closed as part of the restructuring plan. He said it means money will be spent keeping open another building that is over capacity for the students served. He compared it to keeping Bethune school open for alternative education two years ago and reopening Frost for the preschool last year after they had been removed from the budget.

“Year after year, the board refused to close buildings,” Northcross said, costing the district millions of dollars.

After both men had their say, board President Damon Dorkins refused to allow what he called “the back and forth” between them. He said both had made their statements well.

In the end, the board unanimously approved keeping the building open for one more year.

Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.

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Hollywood comes to Oakland

The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON A building in the General Motors Centerpoint complex in Pontiac, which will be the site of a $70 million movie studio with nine sound stages.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 11:40 AM EST

By CHARLES CRUMM and RANDAL YAKEY
Of The Oakland Press

Founders of a movie studio planned for Pontiac want to be making movies within 90 days. That’s a realistic goal, says county Executive L. Brooks Patterson.

The movie studio initiative was the high point of Patterson’s State of the County address Tuesday in Troy. Gov. Jennifer Granholm was supposed to make the same announcement at the same time in her State of the State address to the Legislature. Patterson blamed the governor for leaking news about the studio a day before the concurrent speeches. “The governor got so excited about the news — you remember she lived in Hollywood for awhile — she couldn’t contain her girlish enthusiasm and let the cat out of the bag,” Patterson said.

Patterson is among a halfdozen Republicans considering a run for governor when the term-limited Granholm leaves office in 2010.

But all agree the studio is certain to generate much-needed jobs.

“It’s good news — it’s going to be 3,600 jobs,” Patterson said Tuesday.

The local investors in the new studio are Oakland County developers A. Alfred Taubman, Gary Sakwa of Grand Sakwa Properties in Farmington Hills and Linden Nelson of Nelson Ventures in Birmingham. They’re teaming up with Raleigh Studios of Hollywood, Calif., and Endeavor Talent Agency of Beverly Hills, Calif.

“They’re the real deal,” state Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills, said of Raleigh and Endeavor. Melton’s district includes Pontiac.

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority also is putting up money for the venture, the reason it was included in both Patterson and Granholm’s speeches.

The new venture, called Motown Motion Pictures LLC and currently based in Birmingham, will include both a film studio and production company.

The investors plan to spend $70 million for a 600,000-square-foot development, including nine sound stages located inside General Motors’ former Centerpoint truck plant at South Boulevard and Opdyke Road in Pontiac.

The state’s growth authority expects the studio to create 3,600 direct jobs and another 1,500 indirect jobs by the year 2020 with an average weekly wage of $824.

The authority on Tuesday approved a state tax credit valued at $101 million over 12 years. The project also will receive $12 million in state incentives along with job training assistance through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Also receiving assistance from the authority are two other film industry businesses — one to be based in Plymouth and one in Detroit.

Michigan currently has the most favorable tax incentives for the film industry in the country.

Movie studio a definite among many ‘maybes’

Thursday, February 5, 2009 6:08 AM EST

By The Oakland Press

Amid all of the promises and glowing predictions we heard Tuesday night from both Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, there was at least one bit of very good, defi nite news.

In their state of the state and state of the county addresses, we were informed of the establishment of a movie studio in Pontiac. Motown Motion Pictures will invest $70 million to build its new film studios at a former General Motors plant.

Granholm noted that Pontiac’s studio was one of three projects coming to Michigan to boost its ongoing efforts to attract Hollywood filmmakers to the state. The governor noted that Wonderstruck Animation Studios will invest $86 million to build a new studio in Detroit and Stardock Systems, a digital gaming manufacturer, will build its production facilities in Plymouth.

The local investors in the Motown studio are Oakland County developers A. Alfred Taubman, Gary Sakwa of Grand Sakwa Properties in Farmington Hills and Linden Nelson of Nelson Ventures in Birmingham. They’re teaming up with Raleigh Studios of Hollywood, Calif., and Endeavor Talent Agency of Beverly Hills, Calif.

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority also is putting up money for the venture.

Motown Motion Pictures LLC is based in Birmingham and will include both a film studio and production company.

The investors plan to spend $70 million for a 600,000-square-foot development, including nine sound stages located inside General Motors’ former Centerpoint truck plant at South Boulevard and Opdyke Road in Pontiac.

The state’s growth authority expects the studio to create 3,600 direct jobs and another 1,500 indirect jobs by the year 2020 with an average weekly wage of $824.

The authority has approved a state tax credit valued at $101 million over 12 years. The project also will receive $12 million in state incentives along with job training assistance through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

However, tax revenue for Pontiac is expected to be anywhere from $1.4 to $2.8 million annually, according to city officials. The state expects its tax revenues to be $178 million by 2020.

Patterson even mentioned the county was in the early stages of its first-ever film festival, possibly coming in 2010.

In speeches that made a lot of promises, it was good hear about some real, concrete projects coming to Oakland County and the state.

We commend Patterson, Granholm, the Pontiac mayor’s office as well as other local and state officials for their efforts in securing this project.

Generally, Granholm painted a beautifully bright future for Michigan.

Of course, she had to do something positive because with the highest unemployment in the nation and an economy that is reeling, gloomy doesn’t even do justice as a description.

Meanwhile, Patterson also did some painting. As usual, he focused on the county’s accomplishments.

Patterson, among other things, noted that Automation Alley, on the strength of a 17-percent increase in membership last year, has hit the magical 1,000 membership mark. He also said that 106 Emerging Sectors companies have either located in Oakland County or expanded here over the past four years, resulting in $1.3 billion in new investment and the creation of 14,762 new jobs.

The picture Granholm crafted certainly sounded good. She plans to shrink state government and balance Michigan’s budget while creating more jobs through diversification of the state’s industries.

Obviously, the devil is in the details.

Will the state balance the budget through some type of tax increases on the backs of businesses and individuals? Will Granholm remember that whatever federal stimulus funds the state receives will be a one-time shot, so they need to supplement Michigan’s finances, not just prop them up for one more year. We certainly can’t argue with anything Granholm and Patterson said. We hope their visions come true.

But just how realistic are they? Historically, we would predict that Patterson’s projections are more accurate because Oakland County has continually led the way in fiscal responsibility and acumen.

Time will tell.

We’ll get a glimpse of Granholm’s plans to finance her visions when she presents her budget next week.

But no matter how successful Granholm and Patterson are in their programs, one thing is certain: For the time being, we’re all in for a bumpy ride, so hang on.

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