  Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5640 Registered: 02-2004 |
Read it and weap! Proposed School Closing Plans Announced Final Vote Comes Friday POSTED: 11:33 am EDT March 21, 2007 UPDATED: 7:16 pm EDT March 21, 2007 DETROIT -- The Detroit School Board Consolidation Committee announced proposed school closing plans for Detroit public schools on Wednesday. According to the new list of proposed closures, a recommended list, 35 schools are slated for closure, 29 of which will close at the end of this school year. Other schools were placed on a probationary period until the Fall of 2008. During that year, those institutions must boost enrollment and make improvements to curriculum in order to stay open, the committee said. The plan is expected to save the district more than $20 million and was unveiled at Spain Elementary School. A final vote is expected by Friday. The following is the recommended list as of March 21: Elementary Schools -- Atkinson Berry Brady Clinton Courville Dossin - Fall 2008 (c) Fairbanks Genesis Greenfield Park Guyton - Fall 2008 (c) Hanneman Healy International Kosciusko MAAT Imhotep Mason McGregor Monnier Northwest ELC - Fall 2008 (c) Von Steuben K-8 Schools -- Angelou, Maya Cadillac Cooper Curtis - Fall 2008 (c) Detroit Open - Fall 2008 (c) Grant Sherrard Middle Schools -- Hancock Center Joy Miller Phoenix High Schools -- Communication/Media Arts - Fall 2008 (c) Mackenzie Millennium Redford Note: (c) School originally recommended for closure, will remain open on the condition that it meets specific academic achievement, student enrollment or retention targets within one year. If the school does not meet these targets, the school will automatically close in June 2008. Detroit Public Schools 2007-2008 Realignment Plan Recommendations Program Relocation and Building Closures (Total = 8; Fall 2007 = 8; Fall 2008 = 0) Barsamian - Program relocates to Detroit City building with Hancock students as K-12 Center Bates Academy - Program relocates to Beaubien building Crosman Alternative - Program relocates to Hutchins building as 7-12 program Detroit International Academy - Program relocates to Northern HS building as 7-12 program Douglass Academy - Program relocates to Murray-Wright HS building as 7-12 program Sampson - Program relocates to Webber building Stewart - Program relocates to MacCulloch building as New K-8 learning opportunity Twain, Mark - Program relocates to Boynton building Program Closure Or Relocation and Building Remains Open (Total = 17; Closures = 15; Relocations = 2) Beaubien - Program closure (Bates program moves into building) Boynton - Program closure (Mark Twain program moves into building) Detroit City Alternative- Program relocation (program moves into Longfellow building) Greenfield Union - Program closure/reconstitution (New PK-8 learning opportunity within building) Hutchins - Program relocation (Crosman program moves into building) Jordan -Program closure (New I(-8 !earning opportunity within building) Lessenger - Program closure (Dixon Intermediate Magnet School moves into building) Longfellow - Program closure (Detroit City Alternative moves into building) MacCulloch - Program closure (New K-8 learning opportunity within building) McMichael - Program closure (Hutchins program moves into building as New K-8) McNair - Program closure/reconstitution (New 6-8 learning opportunity within building) Munger - Program closure (New K-6 learning opportunity within building) Murray-Wright - Program closure (Douglass Academy 7-12 program moves into building) Nolan - Program closure/reconstitution (New K-8 learning opportunity within building) Northern - Program closure (Detroit International Acad. 7-12 program moves into building) Ruddiman - Program closure (Building re-opens as Cody 9" Grade Academy) Webber - Program closure (Sampson program moves into building) Building Remains Open - New Program Or Grade Adjustment (Total = 13) Chadsey - Program reconfigures from 9-12 into New 7-12 learning opportunity Cleveland - Program reconfigures from 6-8 into New 7-12 learning opportunity Cody 9th Grade Academy - New learning opportunity within former Ruddiman building Dixon - Program reconfigures from K-8 into Primary and Intermediate programs in two buildings Drew - Program reconfigures from 6-8 into New K-8 learning opportunity Emerson - Program reconfigures from PK-8 into PK-5 Farwell - Program reconfigures from 6-8 into 5-8 Higgins - Program reconfigures from PK-5 into PK-6 Hutchinson - Program reconfigures from PK-5 into PK-6 Parker - Program reconfigures from PK-5 into PK-8 Southwestern- Program-reconfigures from 9-12 into New 7-12 learning opportunity Van Zile - Program reconfigures from PK-5 into PK-4 White ES - Program reconfigures from PK-5 into PK-6 School Buildings Removed From Premilinary Closure List (Total = 16) 1. Barbour - Remains open 2. Birney - Remains open with an expanded attendance boundary 3. Butzel - Remains open 4. Chadsey - Remains open as a reconfigured 7-12 program 5. Cleveland - Remains open as a New 7-12 learning opportunity 6. Detroit City High - Building re-opens as the Barsamian Preparatory K-12 Center 7. Fisher Magnet @ Burbank - Remains open with an expanded attendance boundary 8. Higgins - Remains open as a reconfigured PK-6 9. Holmes, O.W. - Remains open 10. Hutchinson - Remains open as a reconfigured PK-6 program 11. Longfellow - Building re-opens as Detroit City High 12. MacDowell - Remains open 13. Macomb - Remains open 14. McNair - Building re-opens as a New 6-8 learning opportunity 15. Thirkell - Remains open with an expanded attendance boundary 16. Trix - Remains open Stay with Local 4 News and ClickOnDetroit.com for updates. Copyright 2007 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. THIS IS SAD DAY FOR DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. | ||
Penelopetheduck Member Username: Penelopetheduck Post Number: 8 Registered: 09-2006 |
I have to say that, from my experience with the schools, this is a good list and at least a moderatly good day for the detroit public schools. I've worked at both Atkinson and Hannaman and they are lousy school, structurally and academically. Hannaman's closing seems more like a bad idea since the neighborhood around it is growing. Changing chadsey and southwestern into 7-12 is going to be really good for the surrounding community (if they do it right). I just isn't safe how an entire floor of southwestern is completly abandoned. | ||
Wilus1mj Member Username: Wilus1mj Post Number: 181 Registered: 05-2005 |
Are any of these schools in marketable areas? Or are they going to sit and rot....for a couple decades?? | ||
Penelopetheduck Member Username: Penelopetheduck Post Number: 9 Registered: 09-2006 |
I can't speak for most of the schools, but of the ones I've worked at, it seems totally reasonable that Southwest Solutions or SDBA would buy Phoenix and convert it to housing or retail. They've certainly done more dramatic rehabs before and that's a nice neighborhood. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5644 Registered: 02-2004 |
The Detroit school board will meet at the MLK High School to vote on the 35 school closures plus 8 more buildings.T he Detroit School Board is going to be dealing with hundreds of angry Detroit parents and students. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 334 Registered: 02-2007 |
"The Detroit school board will meet at the MLK High School to vote on the 35 school closures plus 8 more buildings.T he Detroit School Board is going to be dealing with hundreds of angry Detroit parents and students." The Urban Student Flock Will Then Be in Full Effect. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5647 Registered: 02-2004 |
Yes Urbanize, There will be thousands of mean DPS Teachers, Parents and students crying foul! This is one challenge that Ms. Calloway would have to face. The DPS School board better start saying their prayers. | ||
Peter Member Username: Peter Post Number: 33 Registered: 02-2007 |
At this rate are there going to be any public schools left in the city??? | ||
Peter Member Username: Peter Post Number: 34 Registered: 02-2007 |
At this rate are there going to be any public schools left in the city??? | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5655 Registered: 02-2004 |
Peter, Detroit Public Schools will survive, not by state control but by corporate sponsors and their promising grants. But that would end up Detroit Public Charter Schools. | ||
Peter Member Username: Peter Post Number: 35 Registered: 02-2007 |
Danny- My comment was really more sarcastic than anything... It is amazing how the COD spent $125 million on the New Cass Tech while closing down every other school in the city... | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 968 Registered: 06-2006 |
My school is safe, but we will get the kids from several closing high schools. It will be crowded (I don't have desks nor room for the kids I have NOW) and I suspect many turf wars will break out (since it's gotten warm, we've already had more than a few fights amongst the kids we have now). Danny, do you mean ANGRy DPS teachers? I don't see too many that are outright mean. We are frustrated with the way things are going. I don't have a prep, I have to cover for absent teachers or vacancies (YES, I said vacancies). I rarely get a lunch since I am usually tutoring or helping kids in some way...my pay is constantly wrong, and the list goes on. It will be interesting to see how things really turn out since nothing in DPS ends up being what they say it will be. | ||
Aschar76 Member Username: Aschar76 Post Number: 65 Registered: 11-2006 |
DPS Board caves to pressure and votes to Close no schools. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 525 Registered: 11-2005 |
Read it and weap! I read it, but I don't know what weap means. Is that a new version of the MEAP? Also, since the schools are not closing after all, the only thing to weep over is the stupidity of the board. TOUGH LOVE, FOLKS. The state has MANDATED that the district shed 50 schools by 2010. Unless an asston of people return to the city in the next two years, schools WILL be closed. This is yet another example of poor leadership in this city. I just hope that when the new superintendent starts she has the guts to do what is necessary. Otherwise, we're going to have to ask the Legislature to step in yet again to try to fix what we Detroiters cannot. The incompetence in this city's leadership is simply unbelievable. CAN ANYONE LEAD?! Wait, wait. Let me change that: WILL THIS CITY ELECT ANYONE WHO CAN LEAD?! | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 2901 Registered: 10-2004 |
Jimmy Womack, school board president stated on Saturday on WJR that the elected board caved into pressure because most of the school board members come up for reelection later this year. He further said that the October count this coming school year will show an additional student loss of at least 9000 and that there will be $80 million less funding in addition to the currently owed $200 million that the state of Michigan mandated be paid back to the state. The net result: the same number of schools open but with some 1800 teachers fired. Detroit News: Board vice president Hayes-Giles said she didn't think the board members who opposed the plan realized what they had done. "We really could go into receivership," she said after the meeting. "We aren't going to have enough money to pay off our debt. This is a very sad day for DPS." Hayes-Giles said she and other board members might have to begin work immediately to consider an alternative cost-saving proposal. | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 969 Registered: 06-2006 |
LY: It didn't say teachers, it said staff. That can mean anyone from the custodians to teachers/administrators. Don't know how they can shed teachers, my classes are overcrowded, we need all the teachers we have (at least at the high school level). | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 2902 Registered: 10-2004 |
The article (assuming that's the "it" of the previous post) may have said "staff," but on WJR today Womack said that "teachers" would be affected. And that's obviously going to be true if another 9000 students flee DPS next school year, over and beyond the looming threat of financial (and academic) receivership. | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 970 Registered: 06-2006 |
I agree. With overcrowded classrooms in quite a few schools, I can't see how losing teachers will help. Again, DPS is taking away from the classroom and forgetting about the KIDS. Closing schools makes sense (they are just consolidating). While many don't want to lose their school, it just makes sense for the sake of the KIDS to keep as many teachers and services in the classrooms as possible. Teachers would not have lost jobs due to consolidation, they would have followed their kids. We are bare bones now as far as teachers and support staff. The article mentioned getting rid of some staff in the Ivory Towers (the Board) and I think that they should look at THAT issue as a means of trimming the fat instead of taking away from the classroom. This problem isn't going to go away, it's inevitable that they will close schools. It's just a matter of when...now or later. Instead of trying to keep all the schools open for all grades, they should stop enrolling students that are new to the schools (for high schools, that would mean 9th graders) and then let the classes that are there graduate or move on (for the lower grades) and then close once all the kids are gone. I'd term that phasing the school out. They could then move the teachers (and books, desks, etc) not needed in that particular building to schools where the kids they would have been teaching are going. Makes much mre sense to me than just avoiding the problems. | ||
Bulletmagnet Member Username: Bulletmagnet Post Number: 138 Registered: 01-2007 |
What a shame all of this is, the pride of Detroit taking another beating. I feel for you Detroitteacher. I’m sure how ever this all shakes out, your job will be made harder and more unsafe then it already is, and that wont be reflected in you pay. I too wonder what will become of the unused buildings. Sell them? I wonder how many more of these students will be enrolled into Ferndale’s schools? | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 276 Registered: 10-2005 |
Because of less students, most cities have been closing some schools for a number of years now. Baltimore has closed quite a few which has enhanced the present-day school system. Remaining schools have been receiving more funds and better upkeep. Also, the student-teacher ratio has not climbed up but has actually gone down to an average of about 20 students in class. When schools are closed there are always some complaints about students having to travel farther to get to the next school but soon after, parents realize the benefit and endorse the cost-savings. I would think that this measure would be great for the city in terms of saving money on underused buildings and greater focus on the remaining campuses. Sometimes, downsizing is a good thing. | ||
Bulletmagnet Member Username: Bulletmagnet Post Number: 147 Registered: 01-2007 |
I see your point Jjw, but this IS Detroit. Need I say more? | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 971 Registered: 06-2006 |
I'd kill for 20 kids per class! | ||
65memories Member Username: 65memories Post Number: 365 Registered: 10-2003 |
Right, Detroitteacher...At Mumford, with over 2200 students, every class is filled to the 35 student maximum. By the way, today every administrator in the district, from Asst. Principal to Principal to Central administrative personnel, received a notice of contract non-renewal from Interim Superintendent Satchell. Every administrator will have a hearing, private or public at their choice, to determine their job status for next school year. So cuts will not only affect teachers. | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 972 Registered: 06-2006 |
It's about time they started trimming in non classroom positions and funds. The way I see it, if enrollment is down, then we don't need as many central office people either. I am in favor of doing whatever necessary to make the education of the KIDS better. | ||
Firstandten Member Username: Firstandten Post Number: 76 Registered: 05-2006 |
This is so disappointing because it seems nobody has the political courage to do what needs to be done. This district should have been downsizing five years ago. If someone had the foresight to close a few schools a year then you don't need to hit the public with the need to close 30, 40, 50 schools in a year. To leave this mess for Calloway is not fair to her. To think of the kids first is fine but you need to make sure you have a district that won't go broke. Also this whole fire central office personnel because its bloated flies in the face in what has been done. That perception of bloated central office staff was true up to about 6-8 years ago. You have overworked staff just like you have overworked teachers | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 529 Registered: 11-2005 |
This problem isn't going to go away, it's inevitable that they will close schools. But at least they'll have all that um, "neato" artwork to display, right? Ugh. | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 973 Registered: 06-2006 |
Quote: You have overworked staff just like you have overworked teachers That is very true BUT, when I have to go downtown for anything it seems as if I always see more people going to lunch (all of the office at the SAME time), sitting around, talking on the phone with personal calls (one person was very rude because I interrupted her phone call to her boyfriend...and I know she was talking to a significant other because she was talking about the club, what was going on over the weekend, etc). I just don't see much in the terms of working folks down at central office. No one can get my paycheck right (it should be the same every two weeks but never is), my sick bank is continually wrong, they don't have my certification listed correctly in their files (I've been down there 6 times to resolve it and I finally stopped trying). I realize that some teachers aren't doing their jobs either and my response to that is to get rid of them along with the non working folks at central office. When the district can afford millions in artwork, I don't feel that they should get rid of teachers. How about NOT spending money on frivolous stuff until the budget is balanced and everything is in order? Again, the classrooms can't afford to take another hit, something else has to give or else we won't be able to teach anything and I thought that was what we were in business to do...(I'm beginning to think I am a minority in my thoughts about this). | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 2910 Registered: 10-2004 |
quote: Since when can DPS afford anything? It's deeply in debt and doing next to nothing about that and is close to reentering receivership yet again. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5660 Registered: 02-2004 |
So far here is the results of the DPS board meeting. The DPS School board voted NO to close 35 schools but instead lay-off a couple of teachers and administrators. Detroit parents cheered YAY!! Teachers and administrators cried FOUL! Superintendent Calloway is shaking her head. But one way or another DPS will make another proposal is close some schools that the attendance level is so low. So who is pointing blaming fingers? EVIL CHARTER SCHOOLS, flight to better suburban schools, 1890s educational tactics, unqualified teachers, some dilapidated school buildings, demands of smaller class sizes, bad payroll depts. The entire school board, higher drop-out rates. These every day problems are going to leave unless teachers, parents and the rest of Detroit community get together and teach our children their ABCs to E=mc2. (Message edited by danny on March 25, 2007) | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 581 Registered: 10-2003 |
Danny, Where did you go to school? | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 727 Registered: 12-2005 |
The blame ultimately must fall on the shoulders of the voters who have repeatedly elected incompetent people to the DPS School Board. Until the parents who are committed to saving the DPS band together, find and support candidates for the Board who are unequivocably committed to improving the delivery of knowledge in - and funds to - the classroom (as opposed to helping themselves, contractors and administrators), nothing will change. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5661 Registered: 02-2004 |
Ed_golick, I went to Cody High School CLASS OF '03. YAY DPS! | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 974 Registered: 06-2006 |
I can't agree more, Mikeg. LY: I was making the comment about the artwork because it's paid for...yet we can't pay the loans, bills, etc. So obviously they came up with the cash for the artwork. Perhaps not worded the greatest in my last post. How's this instead? "If DPS can PAY for millions in artwork" | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 2911 Registered: 10-2004 |
That artwork scam was just just another (criminal?) act of DPS cronyism involving the churning of commissions for dubious art "dealers." BTW, just where is all that artwork anyway? Does anybody at DPS really know for sure? How come such expensive purchases of "art" aren't prominently displayed (and secured)? So, is it a safe assumption that this latest scam was simply swept under the rug lest other such scams become investigated also? | ||
Firstandten Member Username: Firstandten Post Number: 77 Registered: 05-2006 |
Board members admitted that the up coming elections affected how they voted. I would suggest that every board member who felt that way should absolutely not be voted back in for another term. What an insult to the voters of Detroit. We Detroiters elected you to make the hard decisions that have to be made. As a voter I can separate a decision made for the good of the district versus something I may not personally like. I don't want buildings closed, but I fear what might happen if this debt isn't dealt with. Too many of these board members only want to use this office as a political stepping stone and lack any political courage,unfortunately Detroit has too many of these kinds of politicians | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 975 Registered: 06-2006 |
LY: There is at least one piece of the controversial art at Cass. There are quite a few more missing (not one person can account for them). I suspect that some are hanging in the homes of our "leaders". They can't properly secure anything in DPS. Our library and media center (which has steel doors and only a few people have a key) were repeatedly broken into the last few weeks. The few computers we did have were taken. I can just imagine how easy it would be to take artwork off a wall, even if it is secured! Now that folks know how much it's worth, I see it/them being taken very soon (is summer vacation too soon?) | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 2912 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hint: The public was not supposed to know or find out about the "art" works and whatever else DPS buys--be it TP or copy paper. Some or all of some purchases were never meant to see the light of day in any DPS school or office. No honest school district conducts "business" that way. And most of the school board is just bunch of cronies in public-sector "jobs" for those lucky few whom the few school-board voters elect. The sooner DPS bellies up, the better. And hopefully, DPS stays under receivership this time until both the financial matters are fixed and the kids become educated. The latter would require a whole decade or longer. And lastly, DPS definitely does not need any mayoral involvement bestowed by the state like the last (failed) time when Archer inherited it. (Message edited by LivernoisYard on March 25, 2007) | ||
Mayor_sekou Member Username: Mayor_sekou Post Number: 622 Registered: 09-2006 |
Wow Danny were the same age I had no idea. Murray-Wrong c/o '03 | ||
Firstandten Member Username: Firstandten Post Number: 78 Registered: 05-2006 |
DT- You are correct the district cannot secure or account for assets (office equipment, computers,etc) in the schools. The Principals don't know where the equipment is half of the time , they move the stuff from room to room. Most of this stuff walks aways with the help of employees, more so than the kids. The district, if they even have a system of tracking this stuff is very poor and is something Calloway should tackle as soon as she gets on the job. Also you are right there are both teacher slackers and staff slackers and they should both be gotten rid of. The issue I had is that the perception exist that all teachers are good because they are on the front line educationally and all staff people are a waste of money. And we know its not true. LY - If the state takes over DPS just watch the howls from the political hacks and there cronies who couldn't work for or steal from the private sector. DPS right now is that goose laying the golden egg for these people. As long as this situation exists kids education will be an afterthought. | ||
Imhere Member Username: Imhere Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2007 |
I attended McGregor elementary back in the '70's, so I guess I have some emotional connection seeing that school on the list. My mom still lives in the old neighborhood and I was surprised this school was on the list. McGregor, is right in the middle of a very stable neighborhood and I can only imagine what will happen when the school closes. I'm not saying the DPS shouldn't close the school. By all means, if it will make the overall system better, then so be it. I am only surprised at it being on the list. My understanding is it is due to low enrollment. | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 977 Registered: 06-2006 |
Firstandten: No business is perfect with its workforce. I see MANY teachers who aren't worth the gum the kids put on their chairs. I say reevaluate everyone and those who are known to be lousy (everyone knows who they are) should go. Is my thinking realistic? Certainly not. DPS does have some great teachers who really think of the kids first. The kids, parents, admin and other teachers know who those folks are. We have some lousy central office staff (everyone knows who they are). We also have some great folks (they are just overworked because everyone and their brother contacts them because they get the job done). Who really gets hurt in all this is the kids. Some wonderful teachers leave the district (or never even apply to DPS) because of all the uncertainty. Those of us who are sticking it out...teacher, custodian, central office, lunch lady, whoever (and really trying to do good for the kids) are tired, drained, and frustrated. Something needs to give or we'll lose the only people left who care about the kids and the kids will get stuck and be left with all of those folks who can't get hired elsewhere. | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 296 Registered: 08-2006 |
Just think of the art work this guy could have by now... http://www.crainsdetroit.com/a pps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2007 0325/SUB/703230354&SearchID=73 276185274170 quote: | ||
65memories Member Username: 65memories Post Number: 367 Registered: 10-2003 |
http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20070327/NEWS05/ 703270338 |
