Mich. Ed. Roundup – Jan 10

Jan 10, 2017 by Sara Brintnall

DeVos Hearing Delayed Until Jan. 17

The confirmation hearing for Betsy DeVos, originally scheduled for this Wednesday, has been delayed until Tuesday, January 17 at 5:00 PM. DeVos, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Education, will appear before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

In a recent blog post, Kelly McManus of The Education Trust highlights what we’ll be listening for during Betsy DeVos’ confirmation hearing. Read the full post here.

What You May Have Missed

It has been four weeks since the last edition of this newsletter, so what have we missed?

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that school districts may prohibit the possession of firearms on school property. The new Detroit School Board takes control of the school district this week, following years of emergency managers appointed by governors from both parties – but many challenges for the district remain. Legislators passed legislation to allow billboards to be placed on school property…which was then vetoed by Governor Snyder. The annual Quality Counts report by news publication Education Week gives Michigan education a C- overall, earning a D for academic achievement. Legislation limiting when schools can restrain and seclude students passed during the Lame Duck session. Additional legislation aimed at reducing suspensions and expulsions by giving schools increased flexibility around student discipline also has been enacted. In the 2016 lame duck session, Governor Snyder pushed and suspended a plan that would have diverted approximately $425 million in education funding to pay income tax refunds, however, it is expected to resurface in his executive budget, due out next month.

Noteworthy News

Capital Update

State Board of Education meeting began today at 9:30 AM in the Ladislaus B. Dombrowski Board Room of the Hannah Building and is streaming online. This is the first meeting for new board members Tom McMillin and Nikki Snyder. Agenda: Election of State Board of Education Officers and presentations on Top 10 in 10, the Every Student Succeeds Act plan, Effective Education Workforce and Local Wellness Policies.

At the beginning of the meeting, the following offices were elected.

Co-President: Casandra Ulbrich and Richard Zeile
Secretary: Michele Fecteau
Treasurer: Tom McMillin
Delegate to the National Association of State Boards of Education: Nikki Snyder

Elections for the office of vice president have been tabled until the February 14 meeting.

Michigan legislature begins meeting on Wednesday, although House committee assignments have not yet been announced. The 2017 House session schedule is available here and the Senate session schedule may be viewed here.

This morning it was announced that legislation to repeal Section 1280c of the Revised School Code to be introduced by Senator Pavlov (R – St. Clair Township) on the first day of session. This section of law deals with the identification of the lowest achieving schools, models of redesign or school closure, and authorization for the State Reform and Redesign office.