NoviTalk.org

Novi School District keeping public in the dark

In a cost cutting move planned to alleviate a $5 million dollar deficit, the board unanimously approved the layoffs of 44 employees (as recommended by the school administration). This is in addition to 7 pending resignations. The layoffs (which take affect after the school year) include approximately 30 teachers. Additional reductions are being considered and will be discussed at the next school board meeting.Our elementary schools took the brunt of these cuts. Since the board abdicated the entire responsibility for determining cuts to the school administration, it had little choice but to accept what was given to them. In hindsight, it might have been better to ask for $6 – $7 million in cuts so that they could choose those things most palatable to the residents of Novi.

I was surprised that the administration presented so many issues to the board at one time. There was not adequate time to digest the information, get public input, and debate the pros and cons of each issue. Understandably, very little analysis was offered by any of the board members, as there was little time to review. Union rules dictate that a certain amount of notice must be given before layoffs can take effect. This might explain why there was such a rush to approve the layoffs. But why not have this meeting on May 10th instead?

Although this special budget meeting had been scheduled for about a week, the district’s only attempt to alert the public was to place a notice on the Educational Services Building. Don’t Novi residents deserve better?

Prior to this school year, the board had always convened 2 monthly board meetings–both taped and televised. At the request of the superintendent, one of these meetings was replaced with a round-table “work session”. Taping and televising was eliminated under the guise of “cost-cutting”. In this format, board members are seated amongst our Superintendent, school administrators and principals. Surprisingly, these meetings (for the most part) are led by the superintendent and not the board president.

No public comments are allowed during these “work sessions”. This was made clear to me by the Board President. It is at these meetings where most of the discussion surrounding issues to be voted on take place. In addition, the released minutes are not much more than a carbon copy of the published agenda.

School Board Secretary Julie Abrams stated that she would not support cameras at these meetings, as she felt more comfortable speaking her mind away from them. I guess her wishes trump the public’s right to know. Of course, you’ll just have to take my word for this, as I have no proof to share and I doubt she’ll document her comments in the minutes.

Other meeting highlights and observations:

• Spanish at the elementary schools has been eliminated, while Chinese at the High School (which has low enrollment) has been spared.
• 25% of the district’s custodial staff will be cut. Another 25% is being strongly considered. One board member showed some concerns and asked if a plan was in place to get all of the necessary cleaning done. Unfortunately, no one was able to offer any concrete answers. It should also be noted that custodians typically served pseudo-security guards during nights and evenings.
• Jim Fry, our Director of Technology, will have his time reduce by 25 to 50%. During the bond campaign we heard the administration boasting of this man’s credentials. I hope that half of his time is still enough for him to recommend how to wisely spend the technology dollars the newly passed bond will bring.
• Switching from full-day Kindergarten to 1/2 day + k-care (as other districts do) was not considered. Novi is one of the rare districts that provide full-day kindergarten at no cost (without federal subsidies for Title I schools).
• The eliminating of block scheduling at the High School was not brought forward. We would see a significant savings to the district if we did away with this. I understand that there is a committee considering this, but certainly not soon enough.
• The elimination of the additional planning session for team teachers at the Middle School was not considered.
• The sale of the unused Bosco property was not considered. I don’t know how much equity we have in it, but I’ll bet it’s significant enough to make a dent in this shortfall (if not totally eliminate it).
• Other recommendations (including pay-for-play, reduction of H.S. hall monitors and H.S. busing, increased community ed. fees, elimination of any new athletic uniforms in 2007/2008… etc.) will be discusses at the next school board meeting.

There are too many important issues being discussed away from the public. I respectfully ask the board to reinstate taping and broadcasting of ALL board meetings as well as allow for public comment. Also, publish minutes that are of some value. Those candidates who ran on the mantra of improving communications should see that this happens.

I find it shameful that after supporting a $26.4 million bond, we’re being kept in the dark. In addition, our elected school board members should be given adequate time on important issues like this to allow for sound decision making. We expect “critical analysis” and background as to why certain decisions are being made.