Yesterday, I received an e-mail from Nancy Hawkins of MSBO reminding me of my obligation to you to write a monthly column for this MSBO newsletter. So, today I planned on stopping my procrastination to type up my thoughts. In case you have not seen my postings on the Business Listserv, you may not realize that I love to write. (However, some of you may think of my Listserv postings as more the ranting of a mad man than “writing.”) However, as I started this and was right in the middle of some profound writer’s inspiration, I got interrupted by a phone call. As a result, my topic has changed dramatically. Bear with me. This may not be the usual start to an MSBO President’s article.
Last Friday, I drove the 10 miles or so to Berrien RESA to pick up some financial reports from their Data Center. On the way back, I stopped at a gas station. As I was pumping gas, a woman approached me and another gentleman nearby asking for assistance in changing a flat tire. In the process of helping this lady, I found out that she not only had a flat but was recently notified by her landlord that she was being evicted. She told me she has five children and was hoping to be able to keep them in their home school district, another district in Berrien County, not my own. She also said that she may have housing available in a few days once it passed inspection. I gave her the name of the homeless advocate at Berrien RESA, my pastor’s name, and also my phone number.
The same woman just called me. She has run out of options. So, a stranger who she met for 20 minutes last Friday is someone she is turning to for help. What’s the old saying: “There but for the grace of God.” There are many in our state who are hurting, as are our school budgets.
As members of MSBO, I think we should be proud that in tough economic times that MSBO members are synonymous with prudent financial and operational management of schools. Our members and MSBO have strived always to be stewards of taxpayers’ monies. Like many of you, I get frustrated at times having to tell principals or teachers “No, we can’t afford that.” I often struggle with how to say, “no” in such a manner that does not come across as “Rob the Grinch” or “Are you nuts?”
These are indeed difficult economic times. We go through these cycles in Michigan and this cycle seems to be particularly long. Anybody who has been in this business for a few decades can tell you that. Nearly 20 years ago, I was Budget Director for the Grand Rapids Public Schools. In my first year in that role, we went through the terrible process of having to cut $15 million from the district’s budget. It was awful. I will never forget the number 183. For that is the number of young teachers we laid off that year. That does not count the number of bus drivers, custodians, paraprofessionals, and other support staff. I did not get much sleep that year (and it also did not help that my young son was colicky at the time.)
Having gone through some trying times in the past, I realize that many of you are probably frustrated with budget cuts you have had to recommend, additional responsibilities you have had to assume as positions remain unfilled, and other stresses you may be struggling with as our schools are resource challenged. If there is one thing I can recommend, it is this: you are not alone. Your colleagues at MSBO are here to help. Reach out to them for their expertise, or if for nothing else to burn off some steam from time to time.
We can make a difference. We do make a difference. MSBO members have always been strong advocates for prudent financial management. MSBO is THE place for solutions to your problems. On the Business Officials Listerv today, I see reminders of that. One of our members is asking for help in computing her state and local share of the foundation (now that we have different tax rates on commercial, industrial, and other personal property.) Dave Martell has offered up in response that the Dynamic Budget Projection Software will be coming out with a new version shortly. Over the past few years, I personally have found this to be an excellent tool to help explain complex budget issues to my Board and Superintendent. Additionally, another of our creative colleagues offered up an Excel spreadsheet, which she created to solve her own need for the accuracy of the state aid formula. Later in the day, Glenda Rader from MDE offered up a spreadsheet prepared by the state to assist schools.
Aren’t we blessed to be working with gifted and talented colleagues who are willing to share their expertise!
Which reminds me, the MSBO Leadership Group of Regional Presidents and Committee Chairs meets on November 5 and 6 in Detroit with the MSBO Board to plan for the Annual Conference in April. In order to make this conference meaningful for you, we would like to offer the break out sessions that meet your professional and personal needs. If you have any ideas of hot topics and speakers for the conference, please let your Regional President or one of the MSBO Committee chairs know soon. They are dedicated people who make our organization stronger.
Finally, if you have been reading my articles this year, you know I have tried to insert a lyrical theme in each article. This month’s theme is that MSBO is here to assist you and be your number one source of information, support, and guidance as you struggle with issues of balancing the budget, keeping the fleet safe, maintaining the school buildings and grounds, keeping up with technology trends, etc. So remember, MSBO can be your “Bridge over troubled waters.”
There are many talented and caring colleagues at MSBO and throughout our organization who are here to help. You are one of them.
I am so looking forward to seeing all of you at the annual conference this year in Detroit! If you have not been in Downtown Detroit in years, I will say this: it is beautiful. Our primary hotel for the conference is the Marriott Detroit Renaissance Hotel. I will also say that the Book Cadillac has recently reopened. I stayed in the Book Cadillac for a night the first week of August 1974. It was my last night as a civilian before enlisting in the United States Navy the next day. I am looking forward to seeing Greek Town, Comerica Park, the walkway along the waterfront, and the renovated Book Cadillac. Hopefully, we will all get a chance to tour that historic hotel (or maybe one or more of our associate members will host a dinner party there.) Although, if when I enter the Book Cadillac, I hear some Chief Petty Officer in a gruff voice yell out: “Drop ‘em! Turn and cough!” Dude, I am running the other way!
Click here for some great pictures of the recently opened Book Cadillac and other downtown Detroit venues.
Happy Halloween!