Friday, November 30, 2012
The district will implement a number of fixes, including enrolling a minimal number of students that live outside of Dearborn, to rectify a $4.4 million mid-year shortfall.
Facing a $4.4 million shortfall, Dearborn Public Schools announced this week that administration will have to make mid-year cuts of $1.5 million from the district's $170 million 2012-13 budget. The comprehensive plan will include mid-year layoffs, introducing the state’s “Schools of Choice” program for the semester beginning in January, extracting money from the district’s fund balance, and creating a six-month instead of a 12-month projection to allow for the resolution of a legal fight regarding teacher pension contributions. “It’s unfortunate to have to cut in the middle of the year, but there was no way to avoid it,” said Supt. Brian Whiston. “You hate to have to let staff go. We’re not sure how many people will be laid off, but I …
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Amid a $3.3 million budget deficit for the 2012-13 school year, the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education votes to sideline teachers effective June 30.
After little debate Tuesday night, the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education laid off 44 teachers at several of its 32 elementary, middle and high school facilities. Supt. Brian Whiston said the layoffs were implemented because of a projected $3.3 million deficit the schools will face for the next fiscal year. “We do have a deficit, but we’ve been able to find some money,” said Whiston. “Of the $3.3 million, I’ve been able to find 2.2 million, so that leaves us short about 1.1 million.” Chris Sipperly, the president of the Dearborn Federation of Teachers, was not immediately able to return phone calls seeking comment regarding the layoffs Wednesday morning. Typically at the end of the school year, the district undergoes pink slipping …
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Patch asks the question on the heels of news that more than 500 employees of newspapers around the state will be out of jobs in January.
Booth Newspapers confirmed last week that more than 500 layoff notices have been issued to employees at six newspapers in Michigan as the company prints fewer papers and its owners plan a greater online focus. It was a harsh blow to those facing job loss and those who still prefer newspapers to get their news. The changes, according to a report Friday on MLive, "involve the launch of two new companies and both are hiring: MLive Media Group and Advanced Central Services Michigan." Which begs the question: Do you read newspapers anymore? How DO you get your news and information? Answer our poll, then add your thoughts.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
From changes in athletic fees to a new bullying program, here's what parents should know when they drop the little ones off at school this fall.
Change is inevitable, and as our environment, our homes and our communities undergo conversions on many fronts, so do the schools. At Dearborn Public Schools, the talk of change has been a topic mostly brought on by budgetary concerns. But because new ideas are always taking root, students may see subtle or obvious changes at their school. So, to help parents make note of important changes, Dearborn Patch has compiled a list that will hopefully make the back-to-school season a little easier. 1. School start times – Though there was much talk earlier this year about having high school students start later, and having elementary and middle schools start earlier, there will be no such change this year, said schools spokesman David Mustonen. “…
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Some believe the layoff of 57 paraprofessionals Monday night will change the face of classroom instruction for some of the district’s most vulnerable children.
The layoff of 57 classroom paraprofessionals means that there will fewer resources for students that need the most help achieving success in school beginning this year, district and union officials said. The district–which until Monday night employed in excess of 200 part-time paraprofessionals–laid off the employees because of losses in state and federal funds, particularly Title I funding meant to help disadvantaged and challenged learners. But the effects of the layoffs in and out of the classroom could be extensive–part-time paraprofessionals have lost their jobs and health care benefits, teachers will not be able to depend on assistance from paraprofessionals as much as they once did, and students who are considered vulnerable will …
Monday, August 22, 2011
A reduction in federal title funds and existing budget issues has led to a loss in classroom paraprofessionals, while staffing moves and open positions have made way for 34 teacher recalls.
Good and bad news for employees of the Dearborn Public Schools district played out with little discussion Monday night when the Dearborn Board of Education laid off 55 instructional paraprofessionals and two bilingual paraprofessionals, and recalled 34 teachers. The layoffs were the result in a reduction of federal Title I funds, and were called “unfortunate” by Superintendent Brian Whiston. “It’s not the kind of thing you like to do,” he said. Paraprofessionals–who handle many tasks involving assisting children in classrooms–are represented by the Dearborn Federation of School Employees. DFSE President Rodger Bartles said he believed that the schools would be able to retain Title I funds that were lost, and without those dollars, …
Brittany Dobbins
8:51 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Very well said, Jerry. This is a side of the argument that is rarely seen by the general public. more ›