Dear Lansing School District Community,  

I hope this newsletter finds you well. This week I attended the annual Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) conference. This is the preeminent gathering for school leaders, where almost all superintendents from across Michigan come together to learn from each other and experts in the field. I attended a session on bringing solar power to school land to help offset electric costs; I went to a seminar on adult education which will help us improve our offerings for learners who have aged out of our traditional programs; and I listened to a presentation around re-organizing how schools support students in the classroom, among other forums. Additionally, I got to spend time with my colleagues, having dinner with the superintendents of East Lansing and Waverly, among others, and a thoughtful lunch with the superintendent of Dexter, among others. As a new “Michigander” I am thankful that I can learn from long-time educators from the state. 

What I can report is that almost everyone I spoke to said that this year feels better than last. Schools seem to be getting back to “normal.” But everyone I spoke to said that they still needed help. Schools are short-staffed, kids on average, are not at the same academic level as they would expect, and that they can all tell that the last two and a half years have taken its toll on our districts. So, many districts are asking for volunteers and fiscal support to offset the past few years. And thus, with humility, I would like to ask the same. However, a little perspective might help with this ask. 

When the country was founded in the 1700s, the leaders felt that creating a strong United States was very important, with very specific rules and functions. Things like defense and a postal service, roads, and a justice system are all spelled out in the Constitution. However, the word education or the concept of a public education system is not mentioned in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. The only documents in which schools are specifically discussed are the land ordinances, like the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, where the government asks that there be schools because “schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” 

But how the school functioned, was run, and organized was all based on the local government. So, fast forward 225+ years, and we have hundreds of school districts in Michigan, charter schools, private schools, and home-schooled students. And it means, in essence, that each district is on its own in some way. Each district can choose a different math textbook. Each district can choose a different bell schedule. Each district can choose what grades are in which school. This kind of choice does not exist in most of the rest of the world. There are many good reasons why we do it differently. But it also means that some school districts get more than others. 

Many of those districts get more because they ask for more. What I have found in Lansing is that we don’t normally do that. In some districts, parents are helping to run the lunchrooms. In some districts, new play equipment is funded by a famous graduate. In some districts, the music equipment is funded by a local company. But none of that happens if we don’t ask for help. I have heard, historically, the Lansing School District didn’t like to ask for help. People felt it made us look poor or needy. Nothing could be furthest from the truth. Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are three of the richest universities in the world. And they stay that way by asking for help all the time. 

It is time that Lansing believes it can act like the best because we deserve the best. So today, I am asking each and every one of you: how can you help the District? Let’s flood the lunchrooms with volunteers. Let’s have a mentor for every student. Let’s get a local company to fund a new playground. Many companies have matching donations. Many employers have a specific number of paid volunteer hours. Whatever we can do to help our students, we should do. How amazing would it be if we had the GM basketball court at Gardner? Or could you imagine a Quality Dairy farm and agriculture learning center? That would be awesome! What about a DART science lab? Amazing! 

There are so many people, organizations, and companies that can and want to help. All we need to do is ask and open the door. So that is what I am doing today -- the door is open; we would love your help! We need to find a way, like so many other districts in this country, to rally around our schools and lift them up. So, if anyone reading this wants to volunteer, donate time, money, or equipment, please feel free to email me or your school principal. It is time to raise an army to support our schools. 

Thank you so much for all of your incredible support of our district. Together, we will do great things for the children of Lansing. 

Benjamin Shuldiner, Superintendent

Lansing School District