THE VOTER
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE MIDLAND AREA
|
|
Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy |
|
|
The League of Women Voters is a national, political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in their government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League is non-partisan and as an organization does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties. |
|
Annual Meeting, May 25, 6-8:30pm at the Midland Country Club
Speaker: Bradley Kaye, Midland City Manager
Information Packet - You will receive an information packet in the mail by April 25. Included will be the items to be voted on by the membership at the meeting. These are: annual budget, local program (advocacy), and slate of officers.
|
This year Promote the Vote and a coalition of voting-rights groups, including LWVMI, seeks to amend the state constitution to expand these voting rights to:
- Allow nine days of early voting
- Publicly subsidize absentee ballots (with postage) and a tracking system for the ballot location
- Continue to allow voters to sign an affidavit attesting to their identity rather than a state ID
- Allow public sources and charities to fund local elections (i.e., church voting venues)
- Allow voters to register for absentee ballots for all future elections
- Require ballot drop boxes for every 15,000 voters in a municipality
- Establish that post-election audits can only be conducted by state and local officials
LWV of the Midland Area has petitions for volunteers to circulate for Promote the Vote 2022.
The proposal by Promote the Vote 2022 includes common-sense solutions to increase access to the ballot and the security of our elections
Promote the Vote 2022 (1) gives voters more options by creating a right to in person early voting for nine days before an election, (2) ensures voting remain accessible and secure by providing funding for postage, dropboxes and ballot tracking; and (3) ensures future elections in Michigan are determined by voters casting ballot in the election,
Prohibits the harassment and intimidation of voters,
Ensures audits are conducted in public, by state and local election officials, based on clearly delineated procedures.
Some people may have the ability to collect a lot of signatures and some may only be able to collect a few among family, neighbors, and friends. All are welcome.
|
The State of Education in Michigan
A panel discussion was held April 12 with four panelists from the local educational field. Speaking were James Tarr, SVSU Academic Dean of Education; Michael Sharrow, MPS Superintendent; Craig Carmony, Meridian Public Schools Superintendant; and Mark Hackbarth, MCEA President. Moderator Judith Frock asked four questions, which were answered by each panelist.
Key Points:
Impact on Learning and Mental Health due to Covid-19 disruptions:
- The behavior of the youngest learners has been impacted the most. Most Kindergarteners have not been in preschool. There is less participation in pre-school still ongoing. (Carmony)
- MPS was in school for more days than many other school districts around the state, mediating the deficits noted in the learning process. Programs to catch up with math and reading. The RISE program is available for students who need extra support. (Sharrow)
- College students were a bit lost when they were suddenly told not to come to campus. This affected their social lives as much as their academic life. Increased availability of mental health counseling has been made available. There has been higher attrition after 1st & 2nd semesters. (Tarr)
- Younger students have not learned self-regulation, how to act, and work together. Students are about a year behind in their social and emotional behavior. (Hackbarth)
Staffing shortage (administrators, teachers, and support staff)
- Districts are having to grow their own new administrators and teachers. The stress of not having enough teachers and staff affects their mental health. District working on resilience and support for teachers. Entry level pay is not enough - schools are competing with private industry for staff. (Sharrow)
- Teachers are retiring or leaving the profession earlier than in the past. Pay for beginning teachers is too low - not keeping up with the student loans that new graduates have. A recommendation that student teacher program becomes like an internship, rather than just for college credits for which they have to pay. (Hackbarth)
- SVSU is streamlining teacher education so that everyone can finish in 4 years. There is also an accelerated pathway for people that already have a bachelor's degree - get a teaching certificate in one year. University faculty are not leaving - if they retire they still want adjunct teaching assignments. (Tarr)
- When staff and faculty reach retirement eligibility, they have trouble deciding when to leave. The average years of experience for new hires was 10 years but now is much lower. (Carmony)
School Safety Measures - health
- SVSU public health protocols were kept by students staff and faculty. They stayed open at the beginning of the Fall 2021 session, whereas other universities went to online only for a while. (Tarr)
- MPS really tested the state mandates. They have created was increased air filtration, hand sanitizer, etc. Created a healthier environment. (Sharrow)
School safety measures - Violence
- MPS and other schools have created a hardened target, work on prevention, and reactions. Help teachers identify troubled students. School alerts go directly to police and fire. The school service officers are proactive. (Sharrow)
- As a teacher, Hackbarth spoke about creating community in the classroom. so that students can support each other, and feel comfortable speaking to adults when necessary. (Hackbarth)
- Relationships between staff and students are essential. Students (teens) are very good at following emergency measures. He cited a recent tornado emergency where everyone was gathered in the halls, just like in the drills. Students were very orderly and confident. (Carmony)
What is being done to attract teacher students or retain current teachers
- Half of teachers are leaving the profession after 5 years. We need to acknowledge that they are front-line workers. We need to elevate the stature of the profession. No more "you are too smart to be a teacher" type comments. (Tarr)
- Are providing mentoring and professional "refreshment" programs. (Sharrow)
- Teachers need support (Hackbarth)
- Implement teacher cadet programs with promising high school students. Midland county has the lowest funding from the state. Class size matters. (Carmony)
This program was recorded by MCTV. The link to watch it online is:
|
Media:
LWV State of Education Panel Discussion will be added soon. Check our web page:
|
Upcoming Events
May 25, 2022, 6-8:30pm - Annual Business Meeting - Midland Country Club.
|
|
OUR SPONSORS
When you visit our sponsors, please identify yourself as a LWV Member.
Shop Local
|
|
The board meets the First Thursday at Creative 360, 9:30am. Meetings may be held via ZOOM. Please email Kim Steinke or Katherine Redwine to inquire. All members are welcome.
1st VP Membership - Carol McPherson
2nd VP Program - Judy Donahue
Treasurer - Karen Sherwood
Director, Program - Sandy Collinson
Director, Advocacy - Sandy Haughton
Director, Membership - Anne Wallin
Director, Voter Service - Sue McCollister
Director, Advocacy - Iris Haynes
Director, Education - Judy Frock
Director, Natural Resources - Carole Swinehart
Director, Voter Service - Sharron Such
Director, Shadow Treasurer - Sherri Angelotti
|
|
|
|
P.O. Box 1203
Midland, MI 48641-1203
(989) 859-5597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
