New GRPS committee to oppose fund cuts

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Grand Rapids school board created a committee Monday night to work with union leaders and others to try to find new ways to oppose proposed state funding cuts.

But board members stopped short of supporting a union leader's plan for students to have the day off while teachers and other supporters protest in Lansing.

Grand Rapids Education Association President Paul Helder first suggested that idea in March.

And when it was discussed at Monday night's school board meeting, he suggested actions he said could help derail proposed cuts.

"We need to demonstrate strength in numbers of real people. Real people who are impacted by the decisions these elected officials are going to make. Real people who vote," Helder said.

About half of GRPS' estimated $25 million budget shortfall for next year would be caused by cuts in Gov. Rick Snyder's budget proposal, according to documents provided by district administrators.

Among Helder's suggestions for prompting change are "voluntary educational civics field trips to Lansing to teach our students about the importance of having a voice in government" and "taking an action of some kind that requires the rescheduling of a day of school." The union leader said the latter action "would be less harmful educationally than a snow day" because a make-up day would be scheduled.

Board member Catherine Mueller suggested that protesting on a non-work day would be more impactful. And Lisa Hinkel, who chairs the board's legislative committee, suggested that commitee members offer solutions rather than simply protesting cuts.
Superintendent Bernard Taylor asked the board to agree not to "disrupt students' education." After the meeting, Taylor specifically said he would oppose a day off, even if a make-up day was scheduled.

Maureen Quinn Slade, who will chair the new committee, told 24 Hour News 8 she too opposes the idea.

The Michigan Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, is currently surveying its members to see if they would be willing support actions up to and including a walkout to protest proposed funding cuts and other actions approved or proposed at the Capitol.