New Emergency Manager Law
Governor signs new EFM law Click Here for Details
Martini Bar Succeeds
Brighton’s Downtown Main Martini Bar and Grill thrives after making it through recession Click Here for Story
How Will RTW Affect Schools?
Existing contracts have to expire before RTW goes into effect Click Here for Details
The Seven Principles of Sound Public Policy
Courtesy of Michigan Capitol Confidential
Former Mackinac Center for Public Policy President Lawrence W. Reed, President of the Foundation for Economic Education, presents the keynote address at the Georgia Legislative Policy Forum.
The Michigan Association of School Administrators has been one of the most vocal organizations against what it calls “for profit” charter schools.
In an op-ed, MASA Executive Director William Mayes rails against “profiteers who will be allowed to take taxpayer dollars … ”
While Mayes complains about “profiteers” he has been paid on average a total compensation of $205,000 the past three years, according to records MASA submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. MASA makes a significant amount of its money due to its relationship with public schools.
MASA made $3.3 million on its “program service revenue” that involves two multi-day conferences it puts on and is attended by public school officials. Public school districts also pay to be members of MASA. For example, the Utica Community Schools District paid MASA $2,500 in 2011-12.
MASA is classified as a non-profit, which plays to the myth that only charter schools benefit financially in dealings with public education. The “profiteering” theme has been a main criticism of the education reform bills that include House Bill 5923, House Bill 6004 and Senate Bill 1358.
Mayes didn’t respond to a request asking for an explanation how MASA is different from the charter school that hires a for-profit company to run its schools.
“Many people and organizations make profits off of the tax dollars we supply to schools to provide education for students and they have for many years,” said Michael Van Beek, education policy director at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
Van Beek questioned why MASA is only criticizing charter schools for hiring for-profit vendors while public schools also have the same practices.
For example, on May 3, the Ann Arbor Public Schools district paid $21,000 to Apple Computer and $27,500 to Google.
“But where’s the outrage over the for-profit textbook companies, pencil manufacturers or Apple?” Van Beek said.
Here It Is
Feinstein unveils new gun ban Click Here for Details
Utah Teachers Get It
More than 200 teachers attend weapons training Click Here for Story
Obama Needs to Get Serious
Senator McConnell says Obama has no plan even if GOP agrees to tax hikes Click Here for Details
Moron
Professor says climate change skeptics should be eliminated? Click Here for Story
The Next Thing In Robots
Tendon driven motors Click Here for Details