DEARBORN —Residents are encouraged to act fast in order to prevent what is being called a state take over of Dearborn Public Schools. If House Bill 6004 and Senate Bill 1358 are passed school districts in the state could face drastic changes. 

Both bills shift control away from school board officials who are elected to serve into the hands of the Education Achievement Authority (EAA), a statewide school district.  EAA is accountable only to a board appointed by the governor, and not elected through a democratic process. 

The District says the changes mean the school board which makes decisions that help keep it  financially stable and able to offer quality programming, would no longer have as much of a say in what happens with the tax dollars of residents. 

Dearborn Public Schools Communications Director, David Mustonen says the EAA is not even accountable to the Michigan Department of Education He says provisions in both bills would limit the power of elected officials in school districts. Dearborn Public Schools is encouraging city residents to sign an online petition against the bills, and contact state legislators to express concern about them.  The petition can be found on www.miparentsforschools.org. 

The District says what’s most troubling about the proposed changes is that the important job of educating children will be turned over to for-profit operators who can pick and choose the students they want to allow into their schools.  Mustonen says Representatives in Lansing including State Representative George Darany, Representative David Nathan and Senator Morris Hood are fighting against the bills in the state’s capital, and need  support.  

The District says it’s important for people to take action now to assure that the bills are not passed before legislators leave for the year. 

Dearborn Public Schools isn’t in a financial crisis, and has taken measures to balance its budget.  “We’ve managed our budget, and had to make hard decisions,” Mustonen said. 

According to the District it’s had 26 consecutive years of increased open enrollment; its graduation rate has soared; five of its schools have been recognized as “Beating the Odds”; it maintains continuous improvement on local and state tests; has a five year program allowing students to graduate with both a high school diploma and a two year college degree at no cost to parents and students and earns millions of dollars in scholarships each year.  The District also has an Early College Program, STEM program, AP courses and duel enrollment. Despite the challenges the district faces, it has made a great deal of progress and had much success.  

The address used to send a letter to all state senators is : P.O. Box 30036; Lansing, MI 48909-7536. For state representatives: P.O. Box 30014; Lansing, MI 48909-7514.

For information on potential action from Lansing and legislative contacts visit www.capwiz.com/tca4edu/mlm/signup.