Local Teachers to Join in Statewide School Protests

Teachers in the Bloomfield Hills Schools are expected to join colleagues from around the state today in informal pickets outside schools in opposition to pending state budge cuts.

The teachers plan to hand out fliers and engage parents as they pick up students at the district's elementary schools.

The effort is part of a statewide Day of Action organized by the Michigan Education Association, which vowed to show Gov. Rick Snyder and the State Legislature that they will be held accountable for slashing K-12 funding.

"The end of the school year is here and Lansing politicians plan to spend the next few weeks working on legislation that will impact your students and your job," a statement on the MEA website said. "The Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder are counting on your silence over the next few weeks so they can vote on unpopular measures, including bills to dismantle tenure and collective bargaining. We need to let our elected leaders know that we will hold them accountable."

The State House is expected to vote on a package of bills impacting tenure and collective bargaining as early as today.

District officials projected a $6 million budget deficit for next year that was remedied by a combination of cuts and reserve funds.

Superintendent Rob Glass sent an e-mail message to parents about the protest through Monday afternoon. He also reiterated that the teachers were not acting on behalf of the district and that the fliers will not be distributed to students to take home.

"We appreciate efforts by all stakeholders – teachers, students, parents, and community members – to add their voices and viewpoints to the public discussion regarding school funding," Glass wrote. "A full spectrum of opinions will help our legislators make informed decisions about appropriate funding levels that enable our students to become architects of their futures."