The school board reversed the decision and these cuts are off the table for now. It has been an exhausting road but we forced them to see the value in these programs. Keep watching them closely because we cannot let this happen again.
September 6, 2020
Final supporters
Michigan's School Aid Fund's main points of revenue being sales and income tax has caused huge issues in the flow of Kalamazoo's budget due to the coronavirus pandemic - forcing the school board to try and make up for lost revenue. These cuts include ending the Middle School Alternative Learning Program which is a "program that provides students the pro-social skills needed to improve their behavior by focusing on literacy, choice theory, resilience, and positive behavior support. Students will also gain enhanced self-esteem and academic performance".
The budget cuts also call for terminating 5 positions at both major high schools in the district, Loy Norrix and Kalamazoo Central saving $1,060,000.
+ A 1.33% salary reduction for staff making greater than $11/hour - proposed to save another 1.35 million.
+ Cutting the Lift Up Through Literacy program which is an after-school program that offers literacy activities for students and families. President Patti Sholler-Barber disapproves and sees the importance of this program.
The kicker is, all while they're seemingly struggling to find money to fill this budget gap with a $7m total - KDPS is receiving new stations, a new radio system, and Nazareth shooting ranges and CLASSROOMS for training under the Capital Improvements Program, totaling $8,350,000.
Public hearing for these proposed budget cuts will be held on Thursday, June 25 with the board at 6:45 with public comments welcome. The proposed cuts will be voted on by the board in their meeting later that evening.
The people of Kalamazoo say no to these budget cuts! We are a community that values education.
Updates
June 23, 2020
We hit 250 signatures today. Dealing with these constant setbacks is draining but seeing this many people recognize the absurdity of these priorities gives me a reason to keep fighting.
Reached 250 supporters
June 23, 2020
Reached 100 supporters
June 22, 2020
71 Comments
as a kps employee, i can't support any budget cuts to education. this was the kind of thinking that sold my education short and we can't do the same to the students now
I worked in a contract position with Playworks in many KPS schools. Kids deserve as many caring and consistent adults as they can have in their lives. Holistic education is the greatest factor in later successful, community engagement, and economic growth.
KPS teachers already face larger than average class sizes, and a lack of funding that requires then to buy many of their own classroom supplies. If you care about the community, invest in its future.
I work as a BT at a local autism center, and I can account first hand why children need programs for proscoial skills, why they need more funding in their education, and why teachers deserve more than 11 an hour. House keepers make more than that without even needing a high school diploma
My son is headed into 3rd grade next year. The system is already bolstered by teachers and parents, do not make these cuts to our children's educations and futures.
No!!! Send our kids back to School and stop this nonsense!
More student support through social workers, counselors, and art! NO PoLICE in school
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The school board reversed the decision and these cuts are off the table for now. It has been an exhausting road but we forced them to see the value in these programs. Keep watching them closely because we cannot let this happen again.
September 6, 2020
Final supporters
Michigan's School Aid Fund's main points of revenue being sales and income tax has caused huge issues in the flow of Kalamazoo's budget due to the coronavirus pandemic - forcing the school board to try and make up for lost revenue. These cuts include ending the Middle School Alternative Learning Program which is a "program that provides students the pro-social skills needed to improve their behavior by focusing on literacy, choice theory, resilience, and positive behavior support. Students will also gain enhanced self-esteem and academic performance".
The budget cuts also call for terminating 5 positions at both major high schools in the district, Loy Norrix and Kalamazoo Central saving $1,060,000.
+ A 1.33% salary reduction for staff making greater than $11/hour - proposed to save another 1.35 million.
+ Cutting the Lift Up Through Literacy program which is an after-school program that offers literacy activities for students and families. President Patti Sholler-Barber disapproves and sees the importance of this program.
The kicker is, all while they're seemingly struggling to find money to fill this budget gap with a $7m total - KDPS is receiving new stations, a new radio system, and Nazareth shooting ranges and CLASSROOMS for training under the Capital Improvements Program, totaling $8,350,000.
Public hearing for these proposed budget cuts will be held on Thursday, June 25 with the board at 6:45 with public comments welcome. The proposed cuts will be voted on by the board in their meeting later that evening.
The people of Kalamazoo say no to these budget cuts! We are a community that values education.
Updates
June 23, 2020
We hit 250 signatures today. Dealing with these constant setbacks is draining but seeing this many people recognize the absurdity of these priorities gives me a reason to keep fighting.
Reached 250 supporters
June 23, 2020
Reached 100 supporters
June 22, 2020
71 Comments
We received a property tax break several years ago because of a private donation. I would happily pay more in property taxes for our children & schools! I no longer have students in KPS, they have all graduated from college. Kalamazoo Public schools need more resources not less.
as a kps employee, i can't support any budget cuts to education. this was the kind of thinking that sold my education short and we can't do the same to the students now
I worked in a contract position with Playworks in many KPS schools. Kids deserve as many caring and consistent adults as they can have in their lives. Holistic education is the greatest factor in later successful, community engagement, and economic growth.
KPS teachers already face larger than average class sizes, and a lack of funding that requires then to buy many of their own classroom supplies. If you care about the community, invest in its future.
I work as a BT at a local autism center, and I can account first hand why children need programs for proscoial skills, why they need more funding in their education, and why teachers deserve more than 11 an hour. House keepers make more than that without even needing a high school diploma
My son is headed into 3rd grade next year. The system is already bolstered by teachers and parents, do not make these cuts to our children's educations and futures.
No!!! Send our kids back to School and stop this nonsense!
More student support through social workers, counselors, and art! NO PoLICE in school
Share Petition
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We received a property tax break several years ago because of a private donation. I would happily pay more in property taxes for our children & schools! I no longer have students in KPS, they have all graduated from college. Kalamazoo Public schools need more resources not less.