Politics & Government

Superintendent Faces Off With Senator at Public Forum

Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) came to TV's Deli & Diner to speak with residents about issues pertaining to the district.

Over 20 people packed into a small corner of TV’s Deli & Diner Monday to ask State Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) questions pertaining to hot button issues in Trenton, namely Trenton Public Schools.

Colbeck represents district 7, which includes Trenton.

Colbeck fielded questions from Trenton residents, former teachers and district Superintendent John Savel.

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Colbeck began the morning with an extensive introduction of himself then opened the discussion up to questions from the audience.

Of the many questions related to the public school system one stood out from the rest. Several people asked if it were true that, as per Gov. Rick Snyder, tax revenue specifically set aside for public schools kindergarten through 12th grade would be reallocated to community colleges and universities. The answer, according to Colbeck, is yes.

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According to Michigan.gov, Snyder’s proposal would involve “the creation of a State Education Act that uses State School Aid Fund revenue as well as General Fund dollars to support the state’s education system all the way through to higher education, while protecting community college funding.”

The proposal would also reduce per student funding by $470.

What this means is that money originally set aside for public schools would be given to community colleges and universities to make up for any lost revenue they may have had in tuition dollars.

Colbeck began the discussion by saying he does not support this, and would not vote for it.

Savel spoke to Colbeck about specific pressing issues for TPS. He began by telling Colbeck that though he knows education needs to change based on students needs and state cutbacks. “It seems like the state is not looking at the impact that these cuts are making” on TPS. For example, Savel said, as a result of the proposed cuts, the advanced placement classes offered at TPS would be hurt dramatically, as would every other program at all levels of education.

“At some point the state has to follow through with their promises,” Savel said. “When Proposal A passed there was a promise made to education, they’ve gone back on their word.”

Colbeck responded by saying he had not gone back on his word on anything that he said he was going to do during his campaign. He said he agreed with Savel about government needing to honor previous obligations.

Colbeck then referenced an article he had written, which can be found on his website, about looking at issues from a “new school perspective” rather than from an “old school” perspective.

“Old school is when you go up against budgeting shortfalls, you go off and you layoff teachers and you get rid of programs that are of value, like AP (advanced placement) courses. From my perspective, there are other options,” Colbeck said. “If you start looking at what are we spending money on in the school districts right now, that’s what I’m encouraging we have a dialogue about.”

Colbeck added that in the private sector people pay on average about 20 percent toward their healthcare premiums, and “we’re proposing a bill that’s going to make it so that all state employees, including legislators, are going to pay 20 percent towards their healthcare.”

If people were to adopt that 20 percent, the districts would have fewer budget issues according to Colbeck.

Savel responded to Colbeck by saying that adopting the 20 percent and putting it toward district schools would not solve all of the budget issues. He said the plan would save the district about $600,000, but Snyder’s plan would cost the district about $1 million. The district would still have a budget shortfall of $400,000.

“That’s a good example of why the state is saying things that are not true,” Savel said. “It’s not true that it will take care of it.”

Savel personally invited Colbeck to visit TPS to get better understanding at what goes on inside the classroom. He also invited Colbeck to take a look at the district’s current budget.

After the event was over, Savel said he was very happy to hear that Colbeck was not in favor of using state aid fund for programs other than kindergarten through 12th grade education. He added that if there are no additional cuts per pupil, and if funding stays within the district, there could be an increase of $200 per student.

“It’s a difficult time and we need to work at it and do the best with what we’ve got,” Save said.

Pam Mace, president of the Parent Teachers Organization, asked Colbeck what could be done about the proposal. Colbeck did not offer an alternative, though he did take Mace’s contact information and told her he would get back to her at another time.

laying off dozens of teachers, eliminating transportation for general education students, eliminating full-day kindergarten classes, and eliminating three administrative positions.

The district must adopt a budget by June 30, 2011.

Colbeck continued to field questions regarding other issues like taxing pensions.

One audience member said it was unfair to tax people whose pensions provide very little to live on, and Colbeck suggested that perhaps there should be a $40,000 threshold protecting those who make less than that amount.


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