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Brighton Schools Getting new Super; Kenneth Watson?
Topic Started: Jan 2 2006, 12:36 PM (1,891 Views)
f11
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LPS, transportation for all
Heard a "blurb" that Kenneth Watson(old LPS superintendent)
is vying for super job that is opening up in Brighton School District.

Seems strange... why did he leave LPS?
He must have been with the district for more than 20 years.
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Elisa
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Principal
I read that he (Watson) was with the district for 39 years. He interviewed for the "interim" super job along with the former super from Dexter. The article I read said that neither of them was interested in the permanent position. Brighton's super is going to Rochester Hills. It would be very interesting to have Mr. Watson's view of the situation here. As far as I know he has made no public comment.
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Momforone
Principal
I thought Dr. Watson retired. It would be interesting to hear his take on this. I'm sure he must be rolling his eyes. Oh well, we now have Dr. Liepa. Lucky us.
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Rose
Principal
Momofone
Jan 2 2006, 05:54 PM
I thought Dr. Watson retired. It would be interesting to hear his take on this. I'm sure he must be rolling his eyes. Oh well, we now have Dr. Liepa. Lucky us.

If he retired he is probably getting a pension and doesn't want to bite off the hand that feeds him.....but yes, it would be interesting to hear what he has to say.
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Cindi
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I hardly think it would be legal to cut his pension because he gives his 2 cents. In the book of history of LPS 1830-2002 he is mentioned quite a bit, since he was the super for so long. Here is a small clip from the book.......read the words....

In the late 1990's the Board gave their unofficial approval to allow administrators to begin planning the transfer of Johnson students to Lowell and the $800K classroom addition to Garfield. Trustees were expected to officially aprrove the move in June and provide for the necessary expenses in the 1999-2000 budget. The $2 million price tag meant that reducing class sizes would be on temporary hold.

LEA president, Karen Zyczynski said, "Changes recommended in this restructuring plan are issues that affect contract negotiations." At a public hearing on the changes, Karen Zyczynski said the teachers had no input into the final recommendations made by the Elementary Restructured Day Committee. If the Board approved the proposal changes and budgeted for them, it would do so before a contract settlement could be reached with the teachers.

Moving the sixth graders to the middles school was "put on the back burner" since it carried an additional price tag of $4.4 million. Trustee Ken Timmons questioned the $800K addition to Garfield saying the district could handle the additional students at Lowell by hiring an assistant principal. Superintendent Watson responded, "We will not dump another 70 kids in Johnson(Lowell) and have it go over 600 in four years. That would be significantly larger than we want or we are used to. The Johnson area is the fastest growing area in the city."

So here we see...the Board (different from the one now) unofficially approving agendas, we see the LEA (union) stepping in and we hear the Superintendent put his foot down to large schools.

Now...my guess....is that Dr. Watson would not be advocating for 900 + students in an elementary setting. What do you think?
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Cindi
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One more tid bit from the book..........

As the 1999-2000 school year began, Superintendent Watson said, "Our district is presently in a secure financial position because of strong tax payer support, increased enrollment, increased retirements, and one time grants such as the Durant lawsuit settlement." For the past three years the district had been able to build a healthy Rainy Day Fund, improve k-12 programs, and lower class size averages.

In regard to the impact of enrollment on the district's finances, Super Watson said, "Our district has experienced a small but steady increase in enrollment that has insulated us from some of the financial problems associated with districts with decreasing enrollments who are punished by Proposal A."

What in the world has happened in the last 5-6 years?? I know the economy stinks, but does that mean that more kids don't go to school anymore, or that due to our economy houses are sitting empty because the residents are now living in a box somewhere? Do we receive less funding in 2005 than we did in 2000? Yes, I do know that heating bills have sky rocketed, but that hasn't hit the financials yet. Do all schools have cable internet? They should contact Vonage, my phone bill has dropped $80 per month. No innovative ideas from the BOE.
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DENISE05
6th Grade
My friend moved from Livonia ( Taylor school ) to Howell just last year. They have K-5 approx 950 kids, 6,7,8 over 1,100 kids , 9th grade is alone and 10,11,12 again over 1,100 kids. She says it works out well in her community. I think that is a great thing....a little bit of hope
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grantmom
Principal
DENISE05
Jan 2 2006, 07:55 PM
My friend moved from Livonia ( Taylor school ) to Howell just last year. They have K-5 approx 950 kids, 6,7,8 over 1,100 kids , 9th grade is alone and 10,11,12 again over 1,100 kids. She says it works out well in her community. I think that is a great thing....a little bit of hope

Wow...glad it is working for her. But it still doesn't make feel better about sending my children to schools that large. :(
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Cindi
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Quote:
 
DENISE05 Posted on Jan 2 2006, 07:55 PM
  My friend moved from Livonia ( Taylor school ) to Howell just last year. They have K-5 approx 950 kids, 6,7,8 over 1,100 kids , 9th grade is alone and 10,11,12 again over 1,100 kids. She says it works out well in her community. I think that is a great thing....a little bit of hope


That may be true and I bet Howell is a growing area.........and I'm willing to bet they will be building more schools. You're right, there is always hope.
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DENISE05
6th Grade
Grantmom...I agree. Im not happy about a large school. I guess I was looking for light at the end of a very dark tunnel. I will do what I need to to support my kids through this. I might not agree but, whatever helps. CHANGE IS VERY HARD.
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grantmom
Principal
DENISE05
Jan 2 2006, 08:12 PM
Grantmom...I agree. Im not happy about a large school. I guess I was looking for light at the end of a very dark tunnel. I will do what I need to to support my kids through this. I might not agree but, whatever helps. CHANGE IS VERY HARD.

so true..change is hard and I too will do what needs to be done to support my children through this mess.
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DENISE05
6th Grade
Cindi....Im sure thats true. New homes are growing like weeds there. They will have to something soon.
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MrTeacher
Principal
In response to Cindy..I'm betting the district's foundation grant from the state for pupil funding has been the SAME for the last 3 years, with a minimal increase this year. This years increase was eaten up when the state of Michigan told school districts they would have to pay approximately 1.5 % (ish) more in retirement costs for it's teachers. That adds up. I teach in a district just North of Livonia and next year they will have a 7 million dollar shortfall, and in 2 years a 14 million shortfall and so on...We are already freezing as they've turned down thermostats, and yes, we have Internet Voice Protocol for our phones, and we've even hired an energy consultant to figure out how to save money. (no microwaves, fans, or fridges in classrooms). Next year, the "teaming" component of the middle schools in my district will most likely go by by as they now will take away "team" planning time from us. As I've said before....Money makes the world go round and this is all about the "MONEY". When someone figures out how the district can save some cash...then and only then will they forget about the LI. I wonder why the LEA hasn't come up with a plan to help..interesting..
MrTeacher
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DENISE05
6th Grade
Grantmom, I will be right next to you in Grant to help out our kids. About cooper ... well what can I say....full bodysuits with a attached breathing device????
I need to know more about the Cooper site.
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loyaltolivonia
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DENISE05
Jan 2 2006, 07:55 PM
My friend moved from Livonia ( Taylor school ) to Howell just last year. They have K-5 approx 950 kids, 6,7,8 over 1,100 kids , 9th grade is alone and 10,11,12 again over 1,100 kids. She says it works out well in her community. I think that is a great thing....a little bit of hope

Sounds interesting but.........what is 9th grade alone? Do ALL the 9th graders in Howell go to the same school together? Do they have their own building? How many students (approx.)?

Also, that is still 3 transitions on average. My 5th grader will experience 4 because of the LI. Does your friend say anything about the transitions?
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