Schools

UPDATED: Northville School Board Approves 59 Teacher, Staff Cuts

In a 6-1 vote, the school board voted to eliminate the positions – but may call back the teachers later.

The Northville voted 6-1 Tuesday – before a crowd of about 100 students, teachers, staff and other community members – to cut the positions of 59 district teachers and staff members.

The district is facing a $7 million budget deficit and must have a budget completed by June 1.

"Some of these people will be able to return and serve the district," said board member Ken Roth.

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After the district learns of how much it will receive from the state under Gov. Rick Snyder's budget and after on-going contract negotiations with unions come to a close, the teachers may be called back. For a full list of the laid off staff, see our list.

Students, community members weigh in on cuts

A handful of students came in support of their teachers, some tearfully addressing the board.
 
"As a student I find this absolutely horrifying," senior told the board. "I consider these teachers my family."
 
Patsalis said students are concerned about the future quality of Northville's schools under such cuts.
 
She also said that she was worried that her two siblings won’t enjoy the benefit of having close relationships with teachers because of inevitably increased class sizes due to the cuts. Patsalis paused as she cried, saying that her teachers have guided her this year through college applications and even “personal problems.”
 
“I really hope my brother and sister will be able to experience that,” she said.
 
Patsalis and other students said they understand how complex the budget situation is for the board. But she asked the board “to bring as many teachers back as possible.”
 
She said several students formed a Facebook group to support their teachers and plan to rally in Lansing on May 27.
 
Chris Debs, a product of the Northville Public Schools, said that he was displeased with what he perceived as a lack of transparency with the district’s financial records.
 
“I think there should be some place it’s in public view,” he said. “When we’re laying people off, every penny should be accounted for.”
 
School board President Joan Wadsworth said that there are financial records online. By law, added Assistant Superintendent of Finance Michael Zopf said, those with salaries over $100,000 are listed on the website.
 
“Anything beyond that we’d have to discuss,” he said.
 
Northville High School student Rebecca Pokrandt said she wished she saw “a better relationship between the board and teachers.”
 
Student Liz Boutin echoed other students’ sentiments.
 
“I’m really concerned for next year,” she said. Her teachers at the high school, who lost a planning period in this school year, show more movies and give more in-class assignments than homework this year, she added.
 
“I feel like my education has been wrecked,” Boutin said as she fought back tears. 

Find out what's happening in Northvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Concessions, union negotiations

There were some tense moments between the school board and the district staff members who were present.

Northville Education Association President Ann Cook, who represents the teachers, was upset that Wadsworth mentioned furloughs as a possible concession in union negotations between the district and staff.
 
"I think that was unfair," Cook told the board. "None of the teachers make those statements in public."
 
Wadsworth apologized. The comment came up as an example in response to a student's question to the board.
 
In a previous interview, Cook told Northville Patch via email: "I am deeply saddened by this event. This is a crippling blow, both personally and professionally, to all of the Northville Teachers. I would expect that our community and its parents share my concern for 37 students in K-12 classrooms.  This is a 48 percent increase in average class size."
 
Cook, a physical education teacher at the high school, said that she had hoped the passage of the district's sinking fund millage — which will be used for districtwide capital improvements — would alleviate the need to lay off so many of Northville's teachers.

Board discusses its decisions

Wadsworth thanked the teachers for their service and reiterated that the board was in a tough position.
 
"This is an incredibly difficult vote and an incredibly saddening evening for all of us," Wadsworth said.
 
She added, “I have some hope we can work together as a community. We do want to maintain the quality of this district. We don’t want our colleagues and friends to lose their jobs.”
 
Board member Joe Hige was the lone vote against the cuts. Prior to the vote he told the packed School gym, alluding to collective bargaining, "I implore the bodies at hand to do what's right collectively for the whole, not just for a portion…We have people in this room who can make that happen."
 
He added that about 90 percent of the district’s budget is tied up in salaries.
 
“This is a very simple math problem,” Hige said. He elaborated by saying that it is obvious then where the cuts need to come from.

Superintendent adds perspective

Leonard Rezmierski, the district’s superintendent, asked those in attendance to get involved in the process – to encourage the legislature to make education funding a bigger priority in the state’s budget.
 
“Our efforts are making a difference,” he said, citing Northville’s two state representatives who voted down the education cuts. “We are having our voice heard.”
 
But he said those concerned about the cuts can still work to sway the legislature. He said phone calls and emails must continue to be made to Lansing politicians in order to advocate for schools.
 
“We are unwilling to compromise our quality education,” he said.
 
Following the special meeting, the board had another meeting to discuss more cuts throughout the district.
 
The school board will next meet on May 31 at Amerman Elementary School.


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