February 13, 2012

Governor releases proposed budget for FY 2013

Possibility for additional funding included

On February 9, Governor Rick Snyder released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 budget proposal. This budget includes a 2.5 percent increase to the state's school aid budget. The recommendation keeps the foundation allowance at FY 2012 levels ($6,846 – $7,110 for PSAs) with the potential to earn additional revenue based on practices and performance. 

$190 million is budgeted for schools that engage in best practices and meet performance metrics. $120 million of that is dedicated to schools that meet five of six best practices, which equates to an additional $75 per pupil increase. To qualify for the additional funds schools must:

• Have a dashboard,
• Hold the districts health benefits policy,
• Monitor student growth in each subject area for at least twice a year,
• Offer dual enrollment opportunities,
• Offer online learning, or
• Participate in schools of choice

PSAs would also be eligible for up to an additional $100 per pupil for demonstrating growth in student scores in math and reading for grades 3 to 8 and on all five tested subject areas for high school students.

The Governor’s budget allocates an additional $179 million to help the long-term liability of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS), as well as a handful of other categorical funding mechanisms including innovation, early childhood education, ISD practices, and teacher evaluation professional development. 

The Governor’s recommendation is the first step in the annual budget process. For now, PSAs are looking at current funding levels ($6,846 – $7,110) plus the possibility of an additional $175 per-pupil. 

MAPSA will continue to monitor it throughout, and we encourage you to let us know how the proposal will impact your school.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Alicia Urbain, Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs, at

aurbain@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-999-4416.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996. MAPSA represents over 119,000 students, 16,000 public school academy staff members, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 255 public charter schools in the state. MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

January 26, 2012

Matt's Safe School Law signed by Governor
All public schools in Michigan requred to adopt official anti-bullying policy

On December 6, 2011, Matt’s Safe School Law (P.A. 241 of 2011) was signed into law by Governor Snyder. This new law requires the governing board of all public schools in Michigan to adopt an official policy prohibiting bullying in school, on school grounds, at school events or through the use of school owned or operated telecommunications devices no later than six months after the effective date of the legislation. This policy must contain, but is not limited to the following requirements:

• A statement prohibiting bullying of a student;
• A statement prohibiting retaliation or false accusation against a target of bullying, a witness, or another person with reliable information about an act of bullying;
• A provision indicating that all students are protected under the policy, and that bullying is equally prohibited without regard to its subject matter or motivating
  animus;
• The identification, by job title, of school officials responsible for ensuring that the
  policy is implemented;
• A statement describing how the policy is to be publicized;
• A procedure for providing notification to the parent or legal guardian of a victim
  of bullying, and to the parent or legal guardian of a perpetrator of the bullying;
• A procedure for prompt investigation of a report of a violation of the policy or a related complaint, identifying either the principal or the principal's designee as the person responsible for the investigation; and
• A procedure for each public school to document any prohibited incident that was reported, and a procedure to report all verified incidents of bullying and the resulting consequences, including discipline and referrals, to the board of the school district on an annual basis.

The board of directors must hold at least one public hearing on the proposed policy prior to its implementation. This act further requires that no later than 30 days after adopting the policy, the board of directors shall submit a copy of its policy to the Michigan Department of Education. Any schools that already have a policy that complies with the provisions found in this new law are not required to adopt a new one. However, they do have to submit a copy of their policy to the Department of Education no later than 60 days after the bill took effect.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Alicia Urbain, Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs, at

aurbain@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-999-4416.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996. MAPSA represents over 119,000 students, 16,000 public school academy staff members, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 255 public charter schools in the state. MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

December 15, 2011

Legislation passes to amend Michigan Charter School Act

SB 618 to go to Governor's desk to be signed

Senate bill 618, the bill that amends the Michigan Charter School Act, passed the Michigan legislature this week and is expected to be signed by the Governor in the next few weeks. Thank you to everyone who helped by calling, emailing and even testifying in support of this monumental piece of legislation. 

Specifically, SB 618:

• Gives charter schools that currently are required to pay property tax in Michigan an exemption from school property taxes (24 mills), but schools will still be required to pay the remaining local property taxes;
• Allows schools to give priority enrollment to the children of employees who work AT the charter school;
• Phases out the charter school cap over the next three years, going to 300 as soon as the law takes effect, 500 at the end of 2012, and eliminated at the end of 2014;
• Removes the single site requirement for schools that are in compliance with the contract and making measurable progress toward meeting its educational goals in the contract;
• By March 30, 2012 a bipartisan workgroup composed of members from the House and Senate, to be selected by the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House, will be required to make recommendations to the House and Senate Education Committees on measures to improve educational quality for pupils in all public schools, focusing on student growth.
• Authorizers will be required to consider the graduation rate of a school district where a proposed PSA will be located, the population of the county in which it is proposed to be located, the number of schools in proximity of the proposed location that are on the lowest achieving 5% list, and the number of pupils on waiting lists of Public School Academies in proximity of the proposed location prior to approving a contract.
• All public schools will be required to post their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status and accreditation status on their website.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Alicia Urbain, Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs, at

aurbain@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-999-4416.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 255 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

December 6, 2010

Governor Signs Multi-Year Supplemental School Aid Bill

Budget bill gives and takes away for FY '10 and FY '11

Friday December 3 Governor Granholm signed into law HB 5887 that appropriates $246 million in one-time funds for the so-called EduJobs program for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget year.

The supplemental school aid bill, impacts both FY ’10 (last year) and FY’11 (current year), was passed on Wednesday by the Legislature, also addresses several issues:

• The primary purpose of the bill was to invest Michigan's $246 million share of the $10 billion "EduJobs" bill to provide additional one-time federal stimulus funds to maintain and rehire public school employees for FY’11.  Back in October the Governor line item vetoed $246 million from earlier supplemental legislation saying the law didn't follow federal guidelines. Without these changes, that funding was in jeopardy.
    
• NOTE: Federal guidance still requires these funds be used for salaries and benefits of direct school district employees, and cannot be used to pay staff contracted by charter management organizations (CMO) or education management organizations (EMO). Please click here for MDE's guidance for charter schools on EduJobs funding.
    
• A second purpose was to reallocate portions of the original, FY’10, stimulus money, $30 million, so that Michigan would not fall below the required guaranteed minimum level of spending, the federal Maintenance of Effort (MOE) level.  Due to unexpected lapses, primarily in special education, Michigan would otherwise have fallen below the guaranteed MOE level if these dollars were not spent.
   
  The bill earmarks the estimated $30.0 million reallocation from FY 2009 to 2010 as follows: These funds were appropriated as follows: 1) $10.0 million to intermediate school districts; 2) $10.0 million to supplement EduJobs funds to ensure every district gets at least $154 per pupil (this affects higher-funded districts); and 3) $10.0 million to be allocated on a per-pupil basis (approximately $6 per pupil).
   
• Lastly, the bill also ensures that the state can cover court-ordered payments under the Adair lawsuit, in which school districts successfully argued they were being mandated to undertake data collection without being properly paid for it.
   
  To cover this, the bill cuts $25 million from the amount of cash school districts would have seen and then allocates new funding, $25 million, to pay for data collection. In other words you will see a reduction in one line on your state aid, and an offsetting increase in another.

The Multi-Year Supplemental does not require new spending from the State, as the State is reallocating existing revenue, but schools will see an actual increase from the federal MOE reallocation approx ($6 per pupil), and from the appropriation of the new federal dollars for schools who choose to utilize the Edu-Jobs funding.

• NOTE: This supplemental money is a one-time bump using federal funds.  This does NOT change the state's foundation grant for schools, and these funds will not be available in FY '12.

Click here for a district-by-district listing of the Supplementals Impact, courtesy of the Senate Fiscal Agency.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Dan Quisenberry, MAPSA President, at

danquisenberry@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-374-9167.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 247 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

November 18, 2010

House Passes Multi-Year Supplemental School Aid Bill

Budget gives and takes away for FY '10 and FY '11; action pending in the Senate

On Thursday, November 10, the State House of Representatives passed HB 5887, a supplemental appropriations bill for school aid that impacts both FY '10 (last year) and FY '11 (current year).  The primary purpose of this bill is to invest Michigan's $246 million share of the $10 billion "EduJobs" bill to provide additional one-time federal stimulus funds to maintain and rehire public school employees.  You may recall this particular appropriation was vetoed by Governor Granholm in HB 5872 due to the wording of the bill, which indicated this $154 per pupil increase was intended to replace a legislative cut from 2009.  The federal government asserted this language violated federal guidelines, therefore the budget bill had to be re-passed.
 
Highlights of the bill:

• An appropriation of $50-$60 million in lapsed funds in the FY '10 education budget will be re-allocated to schools districts in the state, which will keep Michigan from dipping below the federal maintenance of effort requirements under ARRA. While final numbers aren't yet available, it is estimated that school districts will be receiving up to $30 per pupil in section 11d funding. This will have the effect of reducing last year's funding cut from $154 to roughly $124 per pupil.
     
• Due to the results of the Adair v. State of Michigan lawsuit, the state must invest $25.6 million as a new categorical investment (section 152b) to cover school data processing costs at CEPI.  This move is accomplished by increasing the foundation grant cut for the current year from $154 to $162 per pupil, and appropriating $12.6 million of funds intended to carry forward for FY '12 into this new categorical.  This is an immediate net loss to all schools of $8 per pupil in FY '11, and another $8 per pupil that will not be carried forward into FY '12.
    
• The allocation of $246 million in federal "EduJobs" funding, all through the 2x equity formula, will lead to a total one-time per pupil increase of $111-$222 per pupil for schools in the current year. This funding takes into account the $23-$46 increase already passed in HB 5872.  Since most charter schools receive the lower end of the state's foundation allowance, most schools will be eligible to receive close to $222 per pupil.
• NOTE: Federal guidance still requires these funds be used for salaries and benefits of direct school district employees, and cannot be used to pay staff contracted by charter management organizations (CMO) or education management organizations (EMO). Please click here for MDE's guidance for charter schools on EduJobs funding.
    
• It is important to note that this increase is a one-time bump using federal funds.  This does NOT change the state's foundation grant for schools, and these funds will not be available in FY '12.
   
• The House passed this bill on a vote of 95-5.
   
• The State Senate has not indicated whether they will pass this bill after returning from their current recess in December.

Click here for a district-by-district list of proposed school funding in HB 5887, courtesy of the House Fiscal Agency.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President of Public Relations & Legislative Affairs at

gnaeyaert@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-281-2690.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 247 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

November 3, 2010

Transforming Election is Big Win for Education Reform in Michigan

Nearly 2/3 of legislators will be new to their office, education activists will be busy to orient them

Yesterday's election was the most transformational election in state history, as never before have so many new individuals been elected to public office.  In addition to having new individuals elected in all four statewide constitutional offices, 60% of members in the State Senate and State House of Representatives will be new in their positions when they take office on January 1, 2011.

Regardless of partisan politics, the charter school movement looks forward to working with a bi-cameral and bi-partisan coalition of elected officials who support education reform issues and making policy decisions that will help all kids achieve.  This bulletin will look at these election results in light of moving education reform issues through the legislative process.

Statewide Offices

Michigan's voters have spoken, with Rick Snyder (R-Ann Arbor) receiving 58% of the statewide vote in defeating Virg Bernero (D-Lansing), who received 40% of the vote, to become the next Governor. Governor-Elect Snyder and Lt. Governor-Elect Brian Calley (R-Ionia) have demonstrated an understanding and support for key education reform issues during the campaign, and MAPSA is looking forward to working with the new administration during the transition process.

Bill Schuette (R-Midland) was elected Attorney General by 52%-45% over David Leyton (D-Flint), and Ruth Johnson (R-Oakland) defeated Jocelyn Benson (D-Detroit) by a 51%-45% margin to become Michigan's next Secretary of State.

On the State Board of Education, reformers Eileen Weiser (R-Ann Arbor) and Dr. Richard Zeile (R-Detroit) were elected.  Republicans were also elected to the each of the seats on the MSU Board of Trustees, UM Board of Regents and Wayne State Board of Governors that were on yesterday's ballot.

State Senate
As a result of yesterday's election, there will be 28 new members (20 Republicans and 8 Democrats) along with 10 returning members (6 Republicans and 4 Democrats) in the State Senate.  Beginning in January, 26 members of the Senate will be Republicans and 12 members will be Democrats (compared to 22 GOP and 16 DEM members currently).  It takes a minimum of 20 votes to pass a bill in the State Senate. The following are among the key members of the new State Senate who have indicated strong support for education reform issues:

• Bert Johnson (D-Detroit)
• Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit)
• Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton)
• Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township)
• Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion)
• Randy Richardville (R-Monroe)
• Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair)
• David Robertson (R-Grand Blanc)
• Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell)
• Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan)
• John Moolenaar (R-Midland)

House of Representatives
In the House of Representatives, there will be 61 new members (40 Republicans and 21 Democrats) along with 49 returning members (23 Republicans and 26 Democrats).  A total of 63 members of the House will be Republicans and 47 members will be Democrats, (compared to 64 DEM, 42 GOP and 4 vacancies in the current House). It takes a minimum of 56 votes to pass a bill in the House of Representatives. The following are among the key members of the new House of Representatives who have indicated strong support for education reform issues:

• Lisa Howze (D-Detroit)
• John Olumba (D-Detroit)
• Fred Durhal, Jr. (D-Detroit)
• Thomas Stallworth (D-Detroit)
• Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit)
• John Walsh (R-Livonia)
• Kurt Heise (R-Pymouth)
• Tim Melton (D-Pontiac)
• Tom McMillin (R-Rochester)
• Rick Olson (R-Saline)
• Jace Bolger (R-Marshall)
• Thomas Hooker (R-Byron Center)
• Lisa Lyons (R-Alto)
• Bob Genetski (R-Saugatuck)
• Stacey Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw)

Please click here for a complete list of all statewide and legislative election results.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President of Public Relations & Legislative Affairs at

gnaeyaert@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-281-2690.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 247 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

October 25, 2010

Michigan Department of Education Issues Guidance on Use of EduJobs Funds by Charters

Charters to get $45 per pupil from $69 million in EduJobs funds now available via MEGS; MDE requires schools to electronically certify they understand and will adhere to federal guidance in use of one-time funds

The Michigan Legislature recently passed HB 5872, a $318 million supplemental appropriations bill for FY '11 intended to invest Michigan's portion of the $10 federal Education Jobs Fund program.  While Governor Granholm line-item vetoed a substantial portion of this budget bill due to technical wording issues, roughly $69 million in funds were made available to Michigan school districts on Friday, October 22, 2010. The funding now available represents up to $45 per pupil for every public school academy in the State.  Remaining EduJobs funding, which still must be appropriated by the legislature, is estimated to be between $125-$175 per pupil.

Today, the Michigan Department of Education will issue State Guidance specifically for Public School Academies (PSA's) regarding EduJobs Funds. This Guidance includes a description of the five options for PSA's in using these Funds:

• PSA’s may use EduJobs Funds to pay current “direct” employees; i.e. employees hired by the PSA/LEA;
• PSA's may use EduJobs Funds to hire and pay direct employees;
• PSA’s without eligible direct employees who contract with an education or charter management organization may choose to become, or by operation of law, may become “joint employers” of any staff compensated with EduJob Funds;
• PSA's may contract for school-related services from direct employees in another LEA; and
• PSA's may choose not to use EduJobs Funds allocated on their behalf.

For PSA's that intend to use EduJobs funds, it is necessary to do the following:

• Any newly-opened PSA, or one that has not yet submitted an ARRA Education Stabilization Fund grant application, must do so within the Michigan Electronic Grant System (MEGS).
• Schools must submit an Ed Jobs Fund certification in MEGS, which assures that the PSA understands the acceptable use of these funds, understands there will be quarterly Section 1512 reporting on jobs created and retained, and must enter a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and Central Contractor Registration (CCR) information into the Education Entity Master (EEM).  This certification must be submitted by a MEGS Authorized Official for the PSA. 

Submission of this MDE certification does not obligate a PSA to use EduJobs Funds, however, the MDE certification must be on file should a school choose to use these funds at a later date.  EduJobs Funds are intended to be used during the 2010-11 school year.   The deadline to use these funds is September 30, 2012. 

It is important to recognize that any PSA which uses EduJobs Funds to compensate staff contracted through an education/charter management organization will be entering into an employment relationship with the management organization as a “joint employer.” Such a designation will almost certainly require the PSA to participate in the Michigan Public Employee Retirement System (MPSERS), and make MPSERS’ contributions on behalf of all of the employees employed by the PSA and the management organization.  Joint employer status will also expose the PSA to other employment related issues including, but not limited to, unionization efforts, legal liability, and other unintended consequences.  Any PSA considering this option should consult with experienced legal counsel in the area of school and labor and employment law issues.  Click here to read MAPSA's recent Legislative Bulletin on this topic.

• Click here to download the Guidance for charter schools released by the Michigan Department of Education on October 25, 2010.

• Click here for MDE web site resources regarding EduJobs.

• Click here to download the estimated school-by-school allocations for this initial portion of EduJobs funds.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President of Public Relations & Legislative Affairs at

gnaeyaert@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-281-2690.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

October 19, 2010

US Department of Education Issues Further Revised Guidance on Use of EduJobs Funds by Charters

Guidance illustrates extremely narrow scope for schools with management organizations to use funds

On Friday, October 15, 2010 the U.S. Department of Education released another version of updated guidance on the Education Jobs Fund, clarifying the circumstances under which a charter school can access Michigan's $318 million portion of the $10 billion in federal education jobs funding.  Prior to this revised guidance charter schools affiliated with charter or education management organizations were excluded from utilizing from this critical funding. 

Under the revised guidance, charter schools who engage staff consisting of employees of third party management organizations are generally excluded from being able to use these funds to pay their salary and benefits. However, if a charter school were to certify, through their legal counsel, that the charter school controls enough aspects of its staff activities to pass what the revised guidance refers to as "a common-law agency test," then the school could be eligible to use these funds to pay salaries and benefits of staff employed by a third party.  In essence, in order to participate, a charter school that engages staff through a third party must certify that it controls enough of the staff's actions that it employs the staff jointly with the management company.  Such control, according to the revised guidance, could be in the form of control over hiring and firing, wages and benefits, qualifications or other aspects of the staff's activities at the school.

While modifying their existing relationship with management providers or electing to certify this "joint employer" relationship would provide an opportunity to use these one-time federal EduJobs funds, we must caution schools that entering into this type of employment relationship potentially opens the school for further exposure regarding participation in the state's teacher retirement program (MPSERS), unionization efforts, and other unintended consequences. MAPSA cautions all schools who contract with management organizations for staffing to work very carefully on this issue and examine current and past practices regarding staffing and control of staff before proceeding. It is worth noting that the establishment of a joint employment relationship would continue into the future, beyond the one time use of EduJobs funds.

We believe this version of revised guidance is the last version that will be produced by USED.  While MAPSA is considering available options to formally challenge the federal guidance here, we do not believe any effort of this magnitude would be concluded prior to the expiration date for use of these funds, which is currently the end of the 2010-11 school year. 

As a reminder, those charter schools with direct employees (i.e. not contracted via a third party) can use these one-time federal funds, estimated at roughly $200 per pupil, for salary and benefits for any direct-hired school employee that fits the federal definition included in the guidance, which is reprinted below:

An LEA may use the funds to pay the salaries of teachers and other employees who provide school-level educational and related services.  In addition to teachers, employees supported with program funds may include, among others, principals, assistant principals, academic coaches, in-service teacher trainers, classroom aides, counselors, librarians, secretaries, social workers, psychologists, interpreters, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, information technology personnel, nurses, athletic coaches, security officers, custodians, maintenance workers, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers.

Schools considering the hiring of direct employees for the purposes of using federal EduJobs funding are encouraged to work with legal counsel to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of such an approach, compared with contracting for staff from another LEA or other options.

Even though this revised guidance is not a victory for all charter schools, the movement spoke loud and clear that all charter schools should be treated fairly and equitably, and we must continue to voice this message as the federal government works to reauthorize the Elementary & Secondary School Act (aka "No Child Left Behind") in the coming months.

Click here to download the updated guidance for charter schools released by the U.S. Department of Education on October 15, 2010.

NOTE: For further information on this topic, please plan on attending the 13th Annual Charter Schools Conference. Meg Hackett from Thrun Law Firm, P.C. will present a session on contracted services at 2:45 pm on Monday, November 1, 2010. Joseph B. Urban from Clark Hill, PLC will present a session on governance at 2:45 pm on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.  Click here to register for the conference.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President of Public Relations & Legislative Affairs at

gnaeyaert@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-281-2690.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

October 13, 2010

Governor Vetoes EduJobs Funds for Michigan Schools

Technical bill language inconsistent with federal guidelines, legislature expected to pass revised budget bill in November

Yesterday, Governor Granholm vetoed HB 5872, the FY '11 supplemental appropriations bill for school aid, which allocated Michigan's $316 million share of the $10 billion "EduJobs" bill to provide additional one-time federal stimulus funds to maintain and rehire public school employees. Most public charter schools would have been able to access $197 per pupil in one-time funding from this bill.  However, the federal government will not allow states to allocate these funds to restore previous state cuts to schools, and the language of HB 5872 implied that this was the intent of the legislature.  The legislature isn't scheduled to be in session until after the November 2nd general election, when they are expected to pass another supplemental appropriations bill to make these funds available to schools.  While MAPSA cannot predict the precise per pupil amount that will be included in this revised bill, it is likely to be in the range of $155-$200 per pupil.
 
NOTE: Federal guidance also requires these funds only be used for salaries and benefits of direct school district employees, and cannot be used to pay staff contracted by charter management organizations (CMO) or education management organizations (EMO).  MAPSA has been working closely with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and other key stakeholders to urge the USED to revise the guidance documents so that all Michigan charter schools will be use these funds for teacher salaries and benefits, regardless of how they are employed. We will keep you informed as we make additional progress on this issue.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President of Public Relations & Legislative Affairs at

gnaeyaert@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-281-2690.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

September 30, 2010

Legislature Passes Supplemental School Aid Budget, Sending $316 Million to Schools

Bill includes one time bump of $200 per pupil in federal funds; use by most charters still in question

Last night, the State Senate and House of Representatives both passed a revised version of HB 5872, a FY '11 supplemental appropriations bill for school aid.  The purpose of this bill is to invest Michigan's $316 million share of the $10 billion "EduJobs" bill to provide additional one-time federal stimulus funds to maintain and rehire public school employees.  

Highlights of the bill:

• Each local school district will receive a one-time funding increase of $154 per pupil, which is intended to restore the remaining net per-pupil cut from FY '09.
    
• Additionally, each local school district will receive an additional one-time increase of between $23-$46 dollars, using the 2x equity formula.  Since most charter schools receive the lower end of the state's foundation allowance, these schools will receive up to $46 per pupil.
    
• The total one-time increase for most charter schools will be $200 per pupil ($154 + $46).  [The House-passed version of HB 5872, passed, earlier in the month, resulted in a one-time increase of $188 per pupil.]
    
• It is important to note that this increase is a one-time bump using federal funds.  This does NOT change the state's foundation grant for schools, and these funds will not be available in FY '12.
    
• The bill also contains $4.5 million for intermediate school districts, instead of the $16 million that passed the House
    
• The Senate passed this bill on a vote of 29-9, while the House gave the bill final approval on a 104-1 vote.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Federal guidance requires these funds only be used for salaries and benefits of direct school district employees, and cannot be used to pay staff contracted by charter management organizations (CMO) or education management organizations (EMO).  MAPSA has been working closely with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and other key stakeholders to urge the USED to revise the guidance documents so that all Michigan charter schools will be use these funds for teacher salaries and benefits, regardless of how they are employed. We will keep you informed as we make additional progress on this issue.

• Click here for a district-by-district list of proposed school funding increases in HB 5872, courtesy of the Senate Fiscal Agency.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President of Public Relations & Legislative Affairs at

gnaeyaert@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-281-2690.

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

July 1, 2010

Legislature to Pass FY ’11 School Aid Budget

Foundation Grant increased by $11 per pupil for this year and next year

Last night the Senate-House Conference Committee on School Aid Appropriations, chaired by Sen. Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks) and Rep. Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) voted 6-0 to pass a compromise version of SB 1163, which is the 2010-2011 budget for K-12 education.

The full State Senate and House of Representatives are expected to pass the school aid budget today, which will be the first time in recent years that a school aid budget has been passed prior to the start of the school fiscal year.

While additional analysis is being conducted on the budget bill, highlights of the school aid budget are as follows:

• A total investment of $12.9 billion, an increase of 0.2% compared to the current year.
• The per pupil foundation grant reduction of $165 per pupil from FY 2009 is reduced by $11, or $154, effective in both FY 2009-10 and FY 2010-11. In other words, schools will receive an additional $11 per pupil for both the FY ’10 and FY ’11 school years.
• Cyber students will count as a full FTE, rather than only 75% as passed by the House.
• Charter schools are able, as are traditional districts, to provide instruction for elective courses to neighboring non-public schools.
• The minimum number of days for instruction remains at 165 days, but school districts that operate 4-day weeks may apply for a waiver.
• The mandated employer contribution to the MPSERS pension program was increased from 16.94% in FY 2009-10 to 19.41% in FY 2010-11.
• School districts will be required to report on efforts to consolidate non-instructional services. 
• The conference report removed the requirement that the Department set up a “hotline” for teachers to report on the lack of basic instructional materials.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please

contact Gary G. Naeyaert , MAPSA Vice President of Public Relations & Legislative Affairs at

gnaeyaert@charterschools.org or by phone at 517-281-2690.

The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996. MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state. MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI 48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

May 14, 2010
  

Legislature Passes Landmark Teacher Retirement Reform
Charter schools retain flexibility to participate in MPSERS

At 4:17 am this morning, the Michigan House of Representative voted 56-45 to concur in the conference report for SB 1227 (Gilbert), the teacher retirement reform bill.  At 1:30 am the State Senate voted 21-14 to accept the conference report as well.  The legislature also passed HB 4073, which creates the Retiree Health Care.

Key features of the bill include the following:

• A financial incentive to retire this summer for school teachers currently eligible.
• A 3% employee contribution to the new retiree health care trust fund.
• Creation of a new "hybrid" pension system for new school employees, which is a combination of Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plan.
• Charter school employees, as well as all 3rd party contracted school employees, will not be forced to join MPSERS.

Please click here for the Senate Fiscal Agency analysis of the conference report.

Passage of these reforms are intended to save school districts over $3.0 billion in the next 10 years.

MAPSA owes a debt of gratitude to all of our supporters and advocates who contacted key legislators during the past month.  Your pro-active grassroots communication was a key to this legislative victory.

Click here to read a MIRS article about the legislation.

If you have any questions regarding this or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President for Public Relations & Legislative Affairs, at 517-374-9167.
  

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

April 30, 2010
  

Stalemate on Teacher Retirement Bill Continues
Key legislative negotiators need to hear from you on charter flexibility

As of this afternoon, key legislative negotiators are still working to hammer out a compromise on SB 1227 (Gilbert), the teacher retirement bill. While the House and Senate are adjourned until Tuesday, May 4, negotiations are continuing around the clock. Please click here to read today’s article in MIRS newsletter on the latest details. According to insiders, the four primary points of contention are:

1. Identifying retirement eligibility criteria, what the “multiplier” will be for computing benefits, and how many years of service will be used to determine the final average compensation.
       
2. Including former teachers/administrators hired back by school districts, as well as all private sector employees contracted by school districts (janitorial, food service, transportation, lawn maintenance, etc) in MPSERS. They are also debating whether to develop a “hybrid” MPSERS for new hires, with more limited benefits and reduced employer contributions.
     
3. Whether the 3% employee contribution should go into the pension system or create a new “health care foundation” to cover future retiree health care needs.
     
4. Mandatory inclusion of all charter school teachers in MPSERS, regardless of who hires them.

Charter school advocates know this language would be a huge detriment to the charter school movement. There are currently 454,000 active and retired teachers in MPSERS, and costs for this retirement system continue to rise.  The employer contribution necessary to support MPSERS is going up to 19% of total payroll this year, and the House-passed version of the bill will force roughly 4,000 non-participating charter schools teachers into the system to help foot the bill. The cost of bailing out this pension program could bankrupt charter schools and leave charter students and families without educational choices.
 
Even if you’ve already reached out to your legislator, we need you to please contact the conference committee members and urge them to remove the charter school mandate in SB 1227.  Click here to send an e-mail to all six, or use the numbers below to place a call to these key legislators:

If you have any questions regarding this or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President for Public Relations & Legislative Affairs, at 517-374-9167.
  

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

April 27, 2010
  

Legislature Voting to Include Charters in MPSERS
Please contact your elected officials and maintain charter autonomy & flexibility

Members of the state legislature will be voting THIS WEEK on SB 1227, a bill which intends to reform the public school employee pension system and save school districts millions of dollars. However, the version of the bill passed by the State House of Representatives this morning MANDATES the inclusion of all charter school teachers into MPSERS, regardless of who hires them!

As a charter school advocate, you know this language would be a huge detriment to the charter school movement. There are currently 454,000 active and retired teachers in MPSERS, and this bloated retirement system is in serious financial trouble.  The employer contribution necessary to support MPSERS is going up to 19% of total payroll this year, and the House-passed version of the bill will force roughly 4,000 non-participating charter schools teachers into the system to help foot the bill. The cost of bailing out this pension program could bankrupt charter schools and leave charter students and families without educational choices.

Help MAPSA save your charter school’s autonomy and financial future! We need you to contact your Senator and Representative TODAY and let them know:

• We need educational reform and restructuring for Michigan to have quality schools, including pension reform.
• Charter schools currently have the flexibility to offer retirement and benefit programs that are tailored to their individual needs, and this flexibility should continue.
• Forcing 4,000 charter school teachers into a pension program for 454,000 teachers will not save MPSERS, but it will likely bankrupt public charter schools.
• Please take charter schools out of SB 1277.

Please click here to contact your state Senator and State Representative -- and let then know you care about this issue!

You can help to protect the independence and quality of your charter school!
Use your voice to keep charters with CHOICE!

If you have any questions regarding this issue, or any public policy issue facing charter schools, please contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President for Public Relations & Legislative Affairs, at 517-374-9167.
  

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org

March 25, 2010
  

State Senate cuts foundation grant in passing 2010/2011 school aid budget
Late yesterday afternoon the State Senate, on a largely party-line vote of 20-17, passed SB 1163, which is the 2010/2011 budget for K-12 education. Highlights of this version of the budget are as follows:

• A total investment of $12.6 billion, which is a decrease of 1.3% when compared to the current year.
• The Senate did not include $554 million in revenue that would be generated if the legislature were to pass the Governor's proposal to reduce the sales tax to 5.5% and expand it to nearly all consumer services.
• This version of the budget continues the $165 per pupil cut from the current year, and it includes an additional cut of $118 per pupil for 2010/2011, which represents a cut of $283 per pupil when compared to the foundation grant level for 08/09 (last year).
• It should be noted these cuts are calculated after "backfilling" any reduction in state funds with the remaining $115 per pupil in federal stimulus funds.
• It is important to highlight the fact that this budget includes a $225 million contribution from the state's General Fund, which is dramatically higher than the $30 million GF contribution in the current year, which was also the contribution level proposed by the Governor in her 2010/2011 school aid budget.  It has not been identified area of state government has "donated" this new $195 million to schools, but if for any reason this general fund contribution is not maintained, schools should expect to see a further reduction in the foundation grant of roughly $125 per pupil, which would be a total reduction of $408 per pupil for next year when compared to last year.

The budget will now go to the House of Representatives, where the Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid will begin hearings after the legislative two-week recess.  Governor Granholm has stated she plans to veto any school aid budget that reduces our investment in K-12 education from 2009/2010 levels.

Key Senate Committee Passes Teacher Retirement Bill
Late yesterday afternoon the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks), on a largely party-line vote of 10-7, passed SB 1227, which is a bill to reform the public teacher retirement system (MPSERS).

• The committee removed the language mandating the inclusion of all charter school teachers into the MPSERS program.  Thank you to all MAPSA members who contacted these key legislators on this!!
• The bill makes signification changes to teacher retirement program for existing enrollees, including a 3% employee contribution, but keeps the retirement multiplier at 1.5 of one's final average compensation.
• The bill creates a new MPSERS for enrollees beginning in 2010, which includes an employee contribution, a 30-year cap on benefits, and health insurance that doesn't begin until age 65.

The full Senate is likely to pass this bill yet today, and the House of Representatives will take it up (or HB 5963) soon.  MAPSA supports the version of the bill in the State Senate.

House Education Committee Gets an Earful on Fund Balance Bill
This morning the House Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Tim Melton (R-Pontiac), heard testimony again on HB 5963 (Melton), a bill to deduct state aid from any school district with a fund balance greater than 15% of their annual budget.  While strongly supported by the MEA and AFT, this bill has been opposed by every school district and school association that has testified in committee, including MAPSA.  While no vote has been taken on this bill, we are working against passage with members of the committee. Please click here to read MAPSA's testimony on this bill.

For additional information or questions, please contact Gary G. Naeyaert, MAPSA Vice President for Public Relations & Legislative Affairs, at 517-374-9167.
  

   
The Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996.  MAPSA represents over 110,000 students, 5,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 243 public charter schools in the state.  MAPSA assists the state's public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through our advocacy, communications, technical assistance and professional development services. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org

MAPSA
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 135
Lansing, MI  48933
517.374.9167 p | 517.374.9197 f
www.charterschools.org