Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on May 10, 2005, to require all regular school board elections to be held in November, in either even or odd years. Under election consolidation law passed in 2003, school districts may choose to hold their elections in May, which in most cases means the districts must pay the entire cost of the election, because no other government bodies have elections then. The bill also specifies that for village elections held in conjunction with another township election, a village would pay a proportionate share of the election expense. If not, the village would pay 100 percent of the actual costs

The vote was 60 in favor, 46 opposed and 1 not voting

(House Roll Call 417 at House Journal 42)

Click here to view bill details.

Excellent idea. What say you, teachers unions?(especially the MEA)

Rep. Bieda, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted 'no' on HB 4755 because it runs contrary to local control and would result in a 'crowded' November ballot. People who are interested in the operation and administration of the schools will turn out and vote irregardless of when the election is held. A greater turn-out in the November election does nothing to ensure a more informed voter. Thus I voted 'no'."

Once again, Republicans have shown their true colors. The conservative party that used to proclaim "less government interference" has adopted a new mantra: "The more government interference the better." This is nothing more than a churlish response from a power-hungry legislator who can't stand the fact that neither the schools nor the public ever bought into the election consolidation boondoggle of two years ago. Unable to accept reality, he is now carrying out his party's latest assault on our schools. And with the exception of Bruce Caswell and John Stewart, who showed great integrity by distancing themselves from the rest of their caucus, the House Republicans have again revealed how much they disdain local governing bodies. Rather than talking about a unicameral legislature, the real issue we should be discussing is eliminating the legislature completely.

The reason that the school unions don't want this is because when they schedule an election or millage vote on a nice warm day in June they know that turnout will be much less and that they can rally their believers to vote. This stacks the deck in their favor. What are you guys afraid of? Maybe if all the people voted it would negate the ones that have drank the kool aid. The last thing the unions and democrats want is an educated voter. This is a recuring nightmare for most of these folks.

I find the reference to informed voters more than a little ironic. On one hand, having a special election nearly guarantees that the people who turn out to vote are those who make it their business to know when and where elections are held (read: informed voters). On the other the kool-aid drinking "unions and democrats" tend to do better in elections with higher turnouts, so I'm not sure whether the special election argument holds any water in this case. Either way, I'm convinced that what the previous poster is really concerned about is that involved parents, civically minded community members, teachers, school officials, and students old enough to stand up for their own best interests—since they are usually the groups who typically support school funding increases—are harder to sway with the empty, though admittedly effective, rhetoric of those whose primary concern is the content of their wallets, not the best interest of our children. If you really are concerned about the quality and money management procedures of your local schools, then do what every citizen has a right to do . . . vote. Tell your friends; round up your neighbors; take a bus to a nursing home and offer to drive people to the polls. I short, rather than trying to abuse the legislative process to consolidate power in whatever body tends to favor your opinion at the moment, use the democratic process to have your voice heard. Just do not be surprised when the school millage passes even though you got every tax-hating, miserly, apathetic voter in the community off their couch and into the voting booth. You see, statistically, most people strongly support both public schools and local control.

would yank little Johnny out of the public indoctrination centers at first chance if they had a choice. That is why the unions and dem's fight so hard to stop it. If the schools are good, why not have a little healthy competition? If you just want to keep the monopoly going and keep feeding at the public trough then you should be ashamed of yourself.

There's already plenty of choice. Enroll your student in another school under schools of choice. Enroll your student in a private or parochial school (scholarships are often available to defray the expense). Or if you think they are all indoctrinating Johnny, then home-school your kids. There's also the choice to sit back and bad mouth the schools, unions, Democrats, or any other group deemed suitable for blame. And there's the choice to work to build up and improve the schools at the local level---either by becoming active in school organizations or by running for and winning a seat on the school board. A state-mandated election date has nothing to do with unions, Democrats, or solving problems related to education. It's nothing more than a power grab by the state. The previous poster had it right. If you're not motivated enough to vote in a school election in May, there's no reason to think you'll be more motivated to vote in November. If you're too lazy to get involved unless it's November, you deserve the indoctrination you think you're getting.

This bill would save school districts (who are screaming for more money) thousands of dollars every year. It would also increase voter turn out. How can these things be bad? Yes, it might prevent the MEA from manipulating the elections, but is that a bad thing? Our schools are in trouble and we need better leadership. I support this bill and so should you!