Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on April 2, 2009, to authorize state funding for a failing school that has been converted into a “turnaround school” (charter school), under the same terms as apply to regular charter schools (they get the lesser of the per pupil foundation allowance of the surrounding conventional school district, or the minimum foundation allowance plus $300)

The vote was 69 in favor, 39 opposed and 2 not voting

(House Roll Call 359 at House Journal 0)

Click here to view bill details.

 

Rep. Schuitmaker, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

HB 4787/ 4788 - Turnaround schools

This legislation aims to impose sanctions on the worst performing public schools, most of which are high schools in high-poverty, urban areas. Unfortunately, many of the reforms in this legislation have been seriously watered down. At the same time, it holds charter schools to a more stringent standard than traditional public schools, making it even harder for charter schools to try to help where traditional public schools have failed.

This legislation also makes changes to union collective bargaining powers that are totally unrelated to the issue of failing school reforms. It reverses a number of cost-saving provisions that benefit unions at the expense of students. It even allows unions leverage over areas they should not control, such as the school start date.

For these reasons, I cannot support this bill at this time.”

 

Rep. Meekhof, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill:

“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

This legislation aims to impose sanctions on the worst performing public schools, most of which are high schools in high-poverty, urban areas. Unfortunately, many of the reforms in this legislation have been seriously watered down. At the same time, it holds charter schools to a more stringent standard than traditional public schools, making it even harder for charter schools to try to help where traditional public schools have failed.

This legislation also makes changes to union collective bargaining powers that are totally unrelated to the issue of failing school reforms. It reverses a number of cost-saving provisions that benefit unions at the expense of students. It even allows unions leverage over areas they should not control, such as the school start date.

For these reasons, I cannot support this bill at this time.”