A presentation given as part of an introduction to school issues at North Park Schools PTA Education Forum in May 2010 in Grand Rapids, MI. The four current legislators that directly represent the Grand Rapids Public Schools were in attendance Representative Robert Dean (D), Representative David Hildebrand (R), Senator Bill Hardiman (R), and Representative Roy Schmidt (D) in front of an audience of about 65 parent and citizens.

1. North Park Schools Legislators Forum
Sponsored by the North Park Schools PTA
Grand Rapids, MI, May 2010
A few facts about
PK–12 Education
in Michigan

2. July 1
All Michigan schools must
complete their budgets
On

3. October 1
(or later) to complete
their budget
The MI legislature has until

4. 19,000students for 2010/11
GRPS currently has about
http://grpublicschools.org/grps1/images/stories/home_page/pdfs/summer/may_17_budget_presentation.pdf

5. $7500in total funding per student
GRPS receives
http://grpublicschools.org/grps1/images/stories/home_page/pdfs/summer/may_17_budget_presentation.pdf

6. $750per student to cover
unfunded mandates
GRPS allocates
$7500x10%=$750

7. $14 million
for the 2010/11school year
19000x$750=$14,250,000
GRPS unfunded mandates are

8. $14 million
for the 2010/11school year
The GRPS budget shortfall is
http://grpublicschools.org/grps1/images/stories/home_page/pdfs/summer/may_17_budget_presentation.pdf

9. 23%from 2000-2009
Michigan cut
early childhood education
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100517/FREE/100519868#

10. 20%can result from
district consolidation
A savings of
http://www.abettermichiganfuture.org/?q=node/61

11. 37thper capita income
[1] Connecticut [50] Mississippi
Michigan ranks
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/ranks/rank29.html

12. 2%of MI state budget
went to corrections
In 1970
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100517/FREE/100519868#

13. 23%of MI state budget will
go to corrections
In 2010
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100517/FREE/100519868#

14. 80%are functionally illiterate
Of all violent criminals,
http://www.good.is/post/preventing-violence-by-teaching-literacy/

15. 99%will never be incarcerated
If children are reading
at grade level by grade 3
http://www.good.is/post/preventing-violence-by-teaching-literacy/

16. 17thin teacher salaries
[1] Connecticut [50] Mississippi
Michigan ranks
http://blog.bestandworststates.com/2010/05/04/best-states-for-income-2009.aspx

17. 26thin per student expenses
[1] Vermont [50] Utah
Michigan ranks
http://blog.bestandworststates.com/2009/01/29/state-rankings-on-education-spending.aspx

18. 6thin SAT Scores
[1] Iowa [50] Maine
Michigan ranks
http://blog.bestandworststates.com/2009/08/25/state-sat-scores-2009.aspx

19. 40%of MI economy was services
In 1950
http://www.abettermichiganfuture.org/?q=node/61

20. 75%of MI economy is services
In 2010
http://www.abettermichiganfuture.org/?q=node/61

21. 26of 164 identified services,
ranking it 38th
Michigan taxes only
http://www.abettermichiganfuture.org/?q=node/61

22. $3.2 billion
in taxes cuts will be made
due to Headlee Amendment
In 2010
http://www.abettermichiganfuture.org/?q=node/61

23. $8 billion
below Constitutional
revenue limit
In 2010, state revenues are
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100429/OPINION01/4290303/Give-voters-a-crack-at-income-tax-plan

24. 27thfor rate of taxation
[1] New Jersey [50] Alaska
Michigan ranks
http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/10/pf/taxes/state_tax_rates/index.htm

25. 4%of Michiganians wanted only tax
increases to balance budget
In a Nov 2009 EPIC Poll
http://www.abettermichiganfuture.org/?q=node/61

26. 16%wanted only cuts
to balance budget
In a Nov 2009 EPIC Poll
http://www.abettermichiganfuture.org/?q=node/61

27. 71%wanted a mix of cuts and
taxes to balance budget
In a Nov 2009 EPIC Poll
http://www.abettermichiganfuture.org/?q=node/61

28. 63%would support
a graduated income tax
In an April 2010 EPIC poll
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100429/OPINION01/4290303/Give-voters-a-crack-at-income-tax-plan

29. $600
million
more monies than
the current flat tax
A graduated tax will collect
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100429/OPINION01/4290303/Give-voters-a-crack-at-income-tax-plan

30. of Michiganiansʼ tax bills
A graduated income tax will cut
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100429/OPINION01/4290303/Give-voters-a-crack-at-income-tax-plan
90%

31. Michigan has
some decisions
to make if we want
a well educated state.
http://www.northparkschools.org/