Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on April 24, 2007

Click here to view bill details.

In general, I oppose laws that restrict. In this case, I say let it stand. School districts should have the flexibility to source certain services in any way that makes sense for the district.

I mean the a big part of the reason our schools are broke now is because of union mobsters.The system is full of crappy teachers and other postion's but these people can't be fired or permantly layed off the union won't allow it.The whole idea of ten year is ridiclous basically after ten years these people are untouchable and at that point they get benefits for life that is crazy. I say after 30 years you get medicare like the rest of us unless you foot the bill for the insurance premiums this should be the policy for anyone in the school system who is not a educator. The tax payers money is being wasted by the millions on jobs and things that are definitely not in the best interest of our kids.The thing is raises, promotions,and other things of this nature should be based solely on job performance.The teachers should get decent incentives and benefites but the janitor shouldn't get the same.

So the purpose of this legislation is to let the teachers unions add bussing, food service and custodial services employees to thier rosters? What in the hell were the sponsors of this bill thinking of, except to perpetuate their party as the the favorite party of teachers and set an example for others who feed off the public trough.

I just did a tour of student teaching. Guess what, I'm abondoning the dream! I smelled the coffee and I vomited! Every day I went home so beat down emotionally! Tired! Whipped! and overwhelmed! I am going to work in private industry. The crap and contempt teachers put up with is unbearable for me. That profession has perpetual critics. My hats off to you dedicated teachers out there! I will never be crtical of any teacher again! You never know what its like in the classroom until YOU HAVE BEEN THERE. I was there and OH MY GOD!!! The job all you existing teachers do is phenominal!

Well, I hope you weren't planning to teach English and grammar (*ba-dum-ching* thank you thank you) Anyway, you might mosey on over to johntaylorgatto.com, and find out why a New York State and New York City Teacher of the Year quit his teaching career in disgust. His well-researched book, the Underground History of American Education (read it on-line for free!) details the progression of American schooling from simple schools that had farm kids mastering Shakespeare by eighth grade, to the hideously expensive but broken* socialist mess we have today. *(actually, the gubbermint schools were DESIGNED to be "broken"--turn-of-the-century progressives wanted schools pumping out obedient worker bees, not liberally-educated, well-read individuals who might get too uppity, start questioning things, and upset applecarts. Read the book.)

2007 Senate Bill 424 - Allow teachers union to bargain for privatization ban -- it's another socialist scheme to allow the public sector educational system to to stick it to the private sector and to foot the expense of their expensive follies. They don't believe in saving money -- they only believe in making sure that their nests are feathered at taxpayers expense. Senate Bill 424 represents rampant greed and self interest. Who cares that it does not represent the best interest of the general public -- let alone blowing tax dollars to the wind. Anyone who supports this bill is not only after garnering the vote of the educators, but is also out to "SERVE US UP."

vote buying scheme. These guys don't care about nothing but power. Most of them would sell their mothers for another term or two.

This is, simply, wrong. I have no quarrel with teachers bargaining over the terms of their own employment. What makes this bill wrong is that it would take an important element of school district policy making behind doors and out of view by the general public.

How could this bill possibly serve the public? Furthermore, how could it improve education?

Recognize that the MEA is the bargaining unit for FAR more than teachers. There are MANY bus drivers, custodians, cooks, etc. that are covered by the MEA. This is not a grab to protect our "precious" teachers, it is a backdoor attempt to protect service workers and futher tie the hands of school district administration.

"Tenure" status is granted to a teacher after just 4 years of employment. Not ten. That just makes what you implied worse thasn you imagined!

Unions are supposed to represent their own members only, but we've let them think they run the show for so long that they think they are both union and management! This bill is horrible public policy. It completely undermines the school board's ability to make financial decisions for the district. This bill is more evidence that Michigan should become a Right-to-Work state!

As one of our posters pointed out...this is very hard work and not for the meek. Maybe the private sector IS the way to go.