Indeed, workers lacking high school diplomas saw their unemployment rate jump 6.6 percentage points in June vs. a 2.3 point increase for college grads who has their degree from one of the High Speed Universities

I suspect some of us would have been upset with this story had the district spent the $950,000 to purchase the Hayze-Lemmerz site, then the additional $7.5 million to improve it only to discover... lower enrollment.

Brings back memories of the bond in the late 90s or 2000 that fixed-up a bunch of schools expecting steady or higher enrollment only to discover, lower enrollment.

http://ferndale.patch.com/articles/ferndale-school-board-oks-purchase-agreement-for-hayes-lemmerz-site

Tom, you are implying that our administration is too stupid to consider changes and forecasts in admission rates in a very large purchasing decision. Whereas, this article actually depicts a different story, that the district is able to make smart decisions (reducing costs at times of lower enrollment) when needed.

Also, the article informs us only of lower admission for this year (a year of difficult spending decisions for everyone). Unless you are looking at a more complete set of numbers, with a significant indication that admission numbers will continue to decline and therefore signifying that infrastructure will not be needed in the future for an alternative education program, your point is sharply misguided and short-sided.

Not exactly. What I'm implying first, not subtly, is that had the district proceeded with a plan to spend $8.5 million then found enrollments dropping, folks would be upset. That's what I meant when I wrote, ".. some of us would have been upset .. had the district spent $$$ only to discover... lower enrollment."

To the contrary of what you may suspect, I think that in many ways the board and superintendent are smarter than most. From FF 8/11:

"Few have as good a grasp of running government like a business as do Michigan’s Governor, Rick Snyder, and Ferndale School’s Superintendent Gary Meier.

"While other school districts have teetering budgets, Gary Meier is running the school district like a business—looking to increase income and not just reduce expenses, and is safely in the black."

I haven't a crystal ball, but Ferndale and its surrounding communities have been losing population and students since at least 1970, which left school systems with excess space and capacity. Some of that estate was sold, razed, or converted to community centers and administration buildings. I think 40 years of census and demographic data make a persuasive case that a district's best chance to grow its student body is to lure them from elsewhere or increase enrollment of non-traditional students.

That said, the cost of the last renovation on the advice of consultants is still fresh in some folk's memories and bond payments.

I apologize for misinterpreting. That's right, just because an emotion is unsubstantiated, doesn't mean it won't emerge.

Perhaps we shouldn't try to elicit those emotions on what-could-have-happened statements.

Still, surely the administration considered the falling population and admission rates when considering the acquisition and renovation of the property. 'Mr. Meier is running the district like a business' so I'm sure he is considering the cost/benefit of a new facility with regard to dropping admission.

Perhaps the best way to lure those students is with a new, efficient facility that maximizes tax payers' contributions.

I'd like to see an honest effort by Ferndale's Board of Education and the district's administration to bring back the students who live in our community but are enrolled in neighboring districts because of Schools of Choice. Those are the students whom we should be concernced with.

Thats what i like about you Tom? This is it: "students who live in our community but are enrolled in neighboring districts because of Schools of Choice. Those are the students whom we should be concernced with." by Sharon Kaiser

My reply may not be politicaly correct, but it is true! We have inner city kids who move in and bring their damaged culture with them. You can spend all the money in the world and buy them everything; they will exploit and not respect what is given. It is all one great big system of moral hazard with no accountability.

I put a bird feeder out once; the pigions and rats moved in and chased away the other species. The pigions, the minute I walked out swooped down expecting to be given feed. As long as there is free cheese down that tunnel, the rats will keep coming! And that is why people leave and schools suffer.... It is a systemic failure of a culture to parrent children properly; then they blame the school system or someone else for their short comings. You mean wll Tom; but the road to Hell is paved with good intentions...

For tonight Tom; I'll just say I love you! Really.... I'm tired. We will debate latter; you are just too smart for me sometimes?

But I will say, you are a asset. As is your VIBRANT wife... God Bless.

Too be continued. Respectfully