Letter to the Editor: House Bills 6004, 5923 will Hurt Michigan Students

Dear community members:

There is an urgent matter that needs an immediate response from alumni, parents, and other citizens concerned about legislation that is threatening to dismantle our public educational system. I am referring to House Bills 6004 and 5923 and Senate Bill 358, being introduced during the lame duck session.

Currently, our legislators are considering these bills that call for creating a single, statewide school district called the Educational Achievement Authority (EAA) that is accountable to a board, not elected by the people, but appointed by the governor. Not only would local residents no longer have a say in the governance of the local school district, this plan would also eliminate oversight by the Michigan Department of Education. Your tax dollars would be funneled to this new super district without approval from your elected representatives.

These bills, if passed, would give the EAA the authority to open schools anywhere in the state, not just in areas where there are failing schools. The bills also dictate that local districts sell or lease unused buildings if the state­wide district wants to operate a school in that location.

The most troubling part of this plan is that some of these schools will be managed by operators and even corporations, and will allow only some of our students to enroll in these schools. You understand why we must stand together and take swift action.

For further information, the link below will take you to a video of the Oakland School District Superintendent, who gives clear, concise details ofthe effect these bills will have on public education. http://www.oakland.kl2.mi.us.

Pleasc consider contacting your legislators before Dec. 12, and tell them that you oppose House Bills 6004 and 5923 along with Senate Bill 1358. A list of legislators representing the citizens of the Chelsea School District can be found online on our homepage at www.chelsea.kl2.mi.us. Thank you for supporting a public school system that desires to educate all children with high expectations and excellence.

Andy Ingall

Superintendent, Chelsea School District