Oakland Area Schools Superintendents Team Up on WDET Broadcast

Three local school district superintendents spoke together Tuesday on WDET-FM's Craig Fahle Show against legislation currently in the Michigan House and Senate concerning public education.

Farmington Public Schools Supt. Sue Zurvalec, West Bloomfield's Gerald Hill, Bloomfield Hills' Rob Glass joined Oakland Schools Superintendent Dr. Vickie Markavitch to protest House Bill 6004, Senate Bill 1358 and House Bill 5923, which could still pass through the "lame duck" session of the state legislature.

Opponents say the bills would create a state-wide Educational Achievement Authority (EAA) or "super district" with little accountability, overseen only by the governor's office. The bills would also expand charter and cyberschools and allow per pupil funding to follow each student, funneling more money away from public schools. 

Local school districts may not unite on such a message very often, but area superintendents in the Tri-County Alliance for Public Education have launched a swift campaign against the legislation, which they say is wrong for Michigan.

Listen to a replay on wdet.org or download the podcast from the iTunes store.

On Monday, Fahle spoke with Bill Rustem, Gov. Rick Snyder’s Director of Strategy, who discussed why the bills are needed to help students in failing schools across the state. 

Listen to a replay on wdet.org or download the podcast from the iTunes store.

A tour of meetings throughout the state to inspire "a million voices" to speak out against the bills continues in Ferndale on Thursday, in the Harding Administrative Center, 2920 Burdette, from 7-9 p.m.

Read more:

• Your Guide to Michigan Education Reform Proposals
• BHS Urges for Local Presence in Education Reform Debate