The KISD spent about $8,500 for a study of what’s wrong with public education in West Michigan, and what to do about it. The research by Public Sector Consultants of Lansing concludes the problem will take more than just program cuts or temporary revenue.
Senior Policy Fellow Ken Sikkema says it will take structural changes in the education system, like more sharing of resources among Michigan’s 500-plus some public school districts. And he says the time has come for educators to start shouldering more of their health care costs.
Sikkema notes that the average around the country of both public and private employees is 28 per cent. “In other words, employees around the country, on the average, pay 28 per cent of their health care premium. Teachers in Michigan public schools statewide maybe pay 5 per cent. In some cases, it’s zero,” said Sikkema, a situation he calls “unsustainable.”
Sikkema says the continuing downward spiral of the economy and unemployment will only worsen the situation. And the latest economic forecast from the University Of Michigan backs that up, predicting job losses won’t even to begin to start bottoming out until the middle of 2011.
Today ArtPrize Projects Beginning To Take Shape In Downtown GR Grand Rapids, Mi September 8, 2010 | WGVU ArtPrize 2010 is only 2 weeks away. WGVU’s Lindsey Smith reports on one of several works that are beginning to take shape in downtown Grand Rapids. ListenDownload Lawmakers Agree On Some Michigan Budget Principles Lansing MI September 8, 2010 | AP Michigan's legislative leaders and Governor Jennifer Granholm are making progress on the state budget and soon could have a signed deal outlining major objectives.
Winds Push Fire Through Dozens Of Detroit Homes Detroit MI September 8, 2010 | AP Detroit fire authorities continue working on hotspots as they investigate blazes that swept through dozens of homes.
D.I.A. Showcases Artist's Imagination In New Exhibit Detroit MI September 8, 2010 | AP A new exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts focuses on images from artists' imaginations shown in prints from the last 500 years.
Grand Haven Considers Zoning Regulations For Medical Marijuana Grand Haven, MI September 8, 2010 | WGVU Since voters passed a 2008 ballot initiative allowing medical marijuana in Michigan, municipalities have been scrambling to hammer out local zoning laws to handle distribution.
Yesterday 2 Small Planes Crash In West Michigan, No Injuries Kent County September 7, 2010 | AP Both carried flight instructors, who had the stick? AAA Michigan: State Gas Prices Up 7 Cents Dearborn MI September 7, 2010 | AP AAA Michigan says gasoline prices are up 7 cents per gallon over the past week to a statewide average of $2.78.
Decision Delayed On Saugatuck Township Dunes Expansion Saugatuck Township MI September 7, 2010 | WGVU Saugatuck Township board members have pushed back until next month a decision on whether to add 11 acres to a critical dunes area. Experts To Testify In 5-State Carp Lawsuit Chicago IL September 7, 2010 | AP Experts are set to testify in a federal lawsuit in Chicago, where five states are asking a judge to close Illinois shipping locks to prevent Asian carp from overrunning the Great Lakes.
Late Bus Keeps Detroit Schools Official Waiting Detroit MI September 7, 2010 | AP Mix Up in keys at new bus garage makes students and the boss late for class. Bernero Asks Snyder To Back Obama's Business Tax Breaks Lansing September 7, 2010 | AP Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero is asking his GOP rival to join him in urging Congress to back business tax breaks being proposed by President Barack Obama.
New Name, New Mission: Experience Grand Rapids Through Social Media GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. September 7, 2010 | WGVU As part of a new branding strategy, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau announced they will now be known simply as Experience Grand Rapids.
Monday Grand Rapids Tapped For Second Green Town Conference Grand Rapids MI September 6, 2010 | WGVU A national conference on improving sustainability takes place this week in Grand Rapids. WGVU’s Lindsey Smith reports on the “Green Town” forum.
ListenDownload WYMEDS Program Provides Safe, Non Polluting Medicine Disposal Wyoming MI September 6, 2010 | WGVU The average American takes more than a dozen different prescription drugs in the course of a year. A program by the city of Wwyoming is working to make sure folks have an alternative to dumping the expired and unused meds down the toilet or drain. WGVU’s David Moore reports. ListenDownload Michigan Governor Campaign A Priority For Both Parties Lansing MI September 6, 2010 | AP The two men running for Michigan governor are launching what are expected to be tough-talking and expensive fall campaigns.
Granholm To Cross Mackinac Bridge On The Run Today Mackinaw City/St. Ignace MI September 6, 2010 | AP Governor Jennifer Granholm is returning to her tradition of running the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk and Run as she leads the crossing for her last time as governor.
Michigan's Rich Film Incentives Not A Sure Thing For ALL Around Michigan September 6, 2010 | AP Michigan's aggressive tax credit program for filmmakers is far from a sure thing for those seeking a state subsidy
Friday Study Shows Michigan Graduates Taking On More Debt Michigan September 3, 2010 | WGVU Most college students are wrapping up their first week of classes today. In Michigan, undergrads are getting their diploma while accumulating the 12th highest debt load on average in the nation. ListenDownload SW Michigan Oil Spill Workers Detained In Texas Winnie TX September 3, 2010 | AP Forty-two suspected illegal immigrants have been detained in Texas after returning from an oil spill cleanup job in southwest Michigan.
SS Badger Car Ferry Out Of Service Today Due To Winds, Waves Ludington MI September 3, 2010 | AP The company that owns the SS Badger says the car ferry won't be sailing due to heavy winds and high waves on Lake Michigan.
Burr Oak Man Spots Alligator In Corn Field Burr Oak MI September 3, 2010 | AP A Burr Oak man simply wanted to gather some sweet corn for the family freezer. He didn't expect to have to deal with an alligator rushing at him.
What Price Politics? Governor's Race An Expensive Endeavor Lansing MI September 3, 2010 | AP Snyder's campaign largely self-financed, while Bernero depends mostly on public donations. Cooking A Lifetime Love, Passion For Muskegon Chef Muskegon MI September 3, 2010 | WGVU TV food shows have been very popular, with their stars achieving celebrity status. But not everybody with the title of chef is rich and famous.
WGVU’s David Moore tells us about one West Michigan culinary expert who sees his craft as nothing less than a “labor of love.”
ListenDownload Michigan Supreme Court Keeps 'Tea Party' Off November Ballot Lansing MI September 3, 2010 | WGVU A new court order leaves a shadowy group calling itself "The Tea Party" off Michigan's November ballot.
Some "Failing" West Michigan Schools Will Get Federal Grants, Others Will Not Michigan September 3, 2010 | WGVU 28 of Michigan's 108 lowest-achieving schools have been awarded federal grants aimed at improving student performance.
Thursday Holland To Challenge State Over Power Plant Expansion Holland, MI September 2, 2010 | WGVU Holland City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to challenge the state’s rejection of their bid to build a new coal-fired electric generation plant. Teen Gets Up To 20 Years In Home Break In, Dog Killing Grand Rapids MI September 2, 2010 | AP A 15-year-old boy who broke into a Kentwood home and killed a family's dog with a hammer has been sentenced to spend up to 20 years in prison.
Four-Sate Region Updates Travel Website Springfield IL September 2, 2010 | AP Motorists in the states along the shores of Lake Michigan now have an updated website to ease their travels.
Environmental Coalition Awards Great Lakes Grants Ann Arbor MI September 2, 2010 | AP An environmental coalition is giving out about $190,000 to help groups take part in Great Lakes restoration efforts.
Facebook Post Catches Up With Juror Mt. Clemens MI September 2, 2010 | AP Suburban Detroi woman who Facebooked about a defendant's guilt before the trial ended draws fine and an object lesson in Democracy.
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