Birmingham Joins Schools of Choice on Limited Basis In Exchange for State Aid

Birmingham Public Schools will open six spots in its alternative education program in exchange for an additional $430,000 in state aid for meeting state-mandated best practices.

Birmingham Public Schools is now part of Michigan's Schools of Choice program — at least, that is, on a limited basis. And even so, they're not happy about it. On Tuesday night, the Birmingham Board of Education voted to open six seats for 11th graders at the district's Lincoln Alternative School as part of the state's Schools of Choice program, which opens up enrollment to all students in Oakland County. By joining Schools of Choice, Birmingham Public Schools now meets seven of eight "best practices" outlined by the state, giving the district access to an additional $430,000 for its 2012-13 budget. Still, school board members and even Superintendent Daniel Nerad said the decision to join Schools of Choice was difficult and should not be …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Greg Thrasher

3:14 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

It is a sad commentary to observe a public school district leaders reject academic inclusion for any pool of students . Public education has been the conduit for progress and civic this policy of the district is troubling ,   more ›

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Superintendent Urges Parents to Oppose Senate Bills

According to Birmingham Public Schools superintendent David Larson, the "parent empowerment package" diminishes the district's ability to provide a comprehensive curriculum.

This letter was submitted by David Larson, Superintendent of Birmingham Public Schools: A package of bills has been introduced in the legislature, SB 618 – SB 624 (called the “parent empowerment package"), which has the potential to further erode the enrollment and funding provided by local communities that will serve to further diminish the capacity to provide the comprehensive curriculum that meet our community values. The bills support: lifting the cap on charter and cyber schools, mandating schools of choice, and diverting public monies to dual enrollment and virtual education programs for private and home school students. The expansion of charter schools, conversion schools, shared time, dual enrollment, cyber schools and mandatory …

• Photos (1)

School Board Says No to Bills Expanding Charter, Cyber Schools

The board voted Tuesday to formally oppose Senate Bills 618-624, known as the Parent Empowerment Education Reform Act.

The Birmingham Board of Education is taking a stand against a group of bills heading through the Legislature, all of which they say could “cripple” local school districts, including Birmingham. At its meeting Tuesday, the school board voted for a resolution symbolically opposing what is being called the Parent Empowerment Education Reform Package, or Senate Bills 618-624. “These (bills) are not necessarily in the best interest of all students in Michigan,” said board member Geri Rinschler. The bills are: According to the resolution approved by the board, these bills “have the potential to further erode enrollment and funding provided by local communities” and “eliminate the local community’s authority … to make financial and other …

• Photos (1)