Protest over Public Education Cuts Pops up in Ferndale

More than 100 people gathered at Woodward and Nine Mile to protest the various actions Gov. Rick Snyder has taken so far in Lansing.

In the wake of news — to the tune of about $300 per pupil, on top of the $170 that was cut over the summer — a large number of the protesters and their signs were in the streets Friday, condemning the action.

"Closing schools, that's not healthy. Get the money from the wealthy," a man on a bullhorn called out over and over again.

The protest was organized by Jobs with Justice Southeast Michigan Chapter, an organization that works with unions and community and faith-based groups and offers support to these groups dealing with labor issues. The organization has been protesting on the first Friday of each month across southeast Michigan since February. The first Friday signifies when the government releases the jobs report to the nation.

However, this particular protest, because of the cuts public education is facing, brought out a lot of educators, current and retired.

"There's a lot of teachers here today," said organizer Kae Halonen, chairperson of one of the subcommittees for Jobs with Justice.

"I'm out here because of the Republican assault on our public education here in the state of Michigan," said Rob Stack, a sixth-grade teacher from Waterford.
Stack, a Shelby Township resident and 15-year schoolteacher, was holding a sign that said "School Aid Is Not Snyder's Slush Fund!"

"The schools have taken drastic cuts over the years, we've taken great sacrifices. And we've built up the School Aid (Fund) to a surplus," he said. "The governor sees that surplus as a cash cow, and we're being punished for our fiscal responsibility."

Snyder's proposed budget looks to pull money from the School Aid Fund, which currently is carrying a surplus, to balance the state's deficit of more than $1 billion.

"The reality is that the School Aid Fund is not running a deficit," Ferndale Superintendent Gary Meier said. "It has a thriving surplus. It's unprecedented, these cuts."

Ferndale's state Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-27th District) mirrored Meier's sentiments almost exactly.

"Never did anyone think they would come in and cut up more than $400 per pupil," Lipton said. "This is unprecedented."

She said Snyder is manufacturing a crisis. "The School Aid Fund is healthy," she said.

"I'm upset with what is being done with our teachers. It's an assault on teachers. They don't make enough as it is, and Snyder wants to take away," said Linda Samelson, a retired teacher from Southfield said.

Charlie Robinson, and aide for state Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14th District), was also out in protest of the proposed cuts to education. Robinson taught for nearly 40 years in the city of Detroit.

"The kids are getting a raw deal," Robinson said.

Scott and Susan Warrow are both teachers at Groves High School in Birmingham. They were out protesting the cuts as well. Their two children, Nina, 6, and Aaron, 9, were also holding signs.

"They go to public school," Susan Warrow said. Nina and Aaron attend Norup in the Berkley School District.

"We are really sad that this Michigan House voted to slash so much money for our public education," Susan Warrow said. "With these cuts, schools might have to increase class size and cut art and music, things kids are interested in."

"It's shameful to (cut) the School Aid Fund," Scott Warrow said. "They are taking that money from our children to give tax break to corporations. It's a terrible transfer of funds.

Shirley Magder taught art for 28 years in Detroit and Southfield.

"If it wasn't for education and unions, we wouldn't be the country we are today," Magder said. "I'm afraid we're going backward with these cuts. I know (Snyder) says we need to save money, but we have to find other ways to save."

Larry Banish and Dennis Pasini taught at Warren Consolidated Schools for 40 and 38 years, respectively.

"I'm out here letting the public know that what Governor Snyder is doing is not pleasing to us," said Pasini, a Rochester resident.

"(Snyder) is showing a lack of concern and respect for public education," said Banish, a Royal Oak resident.

Pasini said Snyder was anti-democracy and anti-education.

"When you throw out elected school and city officials and replace them with emergency financial managers, that's anti-democracy," Pasini said.

"He's creating these financially stressed situations by reducing revenue to cities and schools, and then he can put in his emergency financial managers," Banish said.

The cuts aren't final, however. The bill the House passed Thursday differs from the bill the Senate passed. The two legislative bodies now have to go into a conflict conference to hammer out a compromise. Then it goes to the Snyder for a signature.

Correction: The Warrow faimily's name was misspelled in a previous version of this story.