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| Observer; 11/16/06 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 16 2006, 08:47 AM (1,000 Views) | |
| NFarquharson | Nov 16 2006, 08:47 AM Post #1 |
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Principal
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http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../611160406/1027 Biggest pupil decline in LPS elementaries BY REBECCA JONES STAFF WRITER Of the nearly 500 students that Livonia Public Schools lost in attendance over the past year, elementary school enrollment took the hardest hit. Across the district's 16 upper and lower elementary schools, enrollment is down by 463 students. Middle school enrollment declined by 128 students, and the high schools gained 33 overall. The district expected lower enrollment at the elementary level, Supt. Randy Liepa said: "It's one of the reasons that we were looking at closing schools." LPS had predicted losing 251 students this year -- primarily at the elementary level -- but the number was almost twice that high, according to the fourth Wednesday student count, which was released Nov. 2. Kindergarten enrollment is the most difficult to predict, Liepa said. Two years ago, the district gained 75 kindergartners. This year, 118 fewer kindergartners enrolled. "We look at live birth rates in the community from five years ago, and we try to make projections based on those," he said. "Kindergarten is always a tough prediction for us." The district's general education population decreased by 621 students, but LPS gained students in special education and other programs, bringing the total loss to 497. The district has 63 more special education students than last year. "We have seen an increase in different students with disabilities that require assistance," Liepa said. More students are being diagnosed with autism, for example. Special education students are covered by the foundation allowance from the state and schools get extra funding for added costs. The district had actually budgeted for a loss of 160 students under the blended count (winter and fall enrollment) that determines state funding. LPS will make up for a $2 million shortfall by dipping into its fund equity. Liepa has attributed the loss in enrollment to a number of reasons, from the controversial Legacy Initiative to demographics. For example, the district graduated 370 more seniors last year than the number of kindergartners enrolling this year. "We just don't see as many students that are moving back in," Liepa said. According to population estimates by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, school-aged children make up 18 percent of Livonia's population, but that number is shrinking. From 1999-2003, the average number of births in Livonia each year was 1,035, according to SEMCOG. In 2004, 899 babies were born to Livonia mothers -- a 13-percent drop. The Legacy Initiative, designed to save money, resulted in the closing of seven schools and the reorganization of upper elementary schools. It also led to a failed recall effort. The district hadn't anticipated losing any students because of the plan, Liepa said. About twice as many students left the district this year for private schools, he reported. The district does not have any plans in place currently to try to lure those students back, Liepa said, but that is something LPS will consider. rrjones@hometownlife.com | (734) 953-2054 ________________________________________________ http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../611160416/1027 Private schools gain some students BY REBECCA JONES STAFF WRITER While Livonia Public Schools lost nearly 500 students from last year, enrollment at some Livonia private schools has increased slightly. At St. Michael Elementary School, secretary Karen Diamond described this year's 811-student enrollment as consistent with last year's. But she did notice some changes. "We did get a few (from LPS)," Diamond said. About 24 first- through eight-grader students from LPS switched to St. Michael, Diamond said. This year's kindergarten class has 10 students more than last year's. "We got a few more fifth- and sixth-graders this year," Diamond said. Some parents did specify LPS' controversial Legacy Initiative as a reason for making the switch, she said. "They didn't want their children to be going to separate schools, or they wanted to make a change and (decided to because) their children would be going to different schools anyway." The district closed seven schools and reorganized others under the Legacy Initiative this year, designed to handle enrollment declines and save the district money. Fifth- and sixth-graders were split off from the K-6 schools into separate upper elementary schools. Supt. Randy Liepa reported at the Nov. 6 school board meeting that about 100 students left the district to attend the local private schools. That's double the number from the year before, he said. The district has not conducted a survey to track where the students who left the district are going, but schools taking trasfer students have requested student records, he said. Fifteen percent of Livonia's school-age children attend private schools, according to the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. Fourteen new students moved to St. Edith Elementary School this year, said secretary Dale Orsucci. Six of them came from LPS, and two came from Redford schools, she added. However, because more eighth-graders graduated than kidnergarteners enrolled, St. Edith had a net gain of just three students, for a total this year of 253. St. Damian School, in Westland, didn't gain any students because of the changes at LPS, said Principal Susan Perna. The school fielded initial inquiries from parents, but they changed their minds when they found out tuition is $4,000 per student, Perna said. Enrollment at American Montessori Academy in Livonia climbed from 189 students last year to 297. The academy, a public charter school that attracts students from Dearborn to Novi, is in its third year of operation and open to fifth-graders for the first time this year after a classroom expansion. Some of those additional students came from Livonia and Redford schools, said office manager Susie Buchin. "We've heard different people tell us different reasons. (Some mentioned) the changes and the busing delays, how long students would have to be on a bus. Others felt that their children were not being challenged enough." rrjones@hometownlife.com | (734) 953-2054 _____________________________________________ http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...541/1199/NEWS10 LETTERS Get involved, we can fix this For the first few years of my children's education, I really did not pay much attention to anything that went on outside of their classroom or their school. I sadly belonged to the "If it's not my problem, it's not a problem" club. Shame on me. That all changed last year when the controversial Legacy Initiative was announced. If you are a parent that really didn't think you were affected by the Legacy Initiative, either because your kids were in middle or high school, or your neighborhood school remained open, it is time to think again. With the unprecedented loss of at least 497 students this year, we are all effected. Cuts will have to be made, and will certainly effect everyone. Dr. Liepa estimates that $2 million in adjustments will be necessary. This is what that represents according to LPS. This is straight from the brochure we all received prior to the Legacy Initiative. Q: What does 1% of the budget represent? A: One percent is the equivalent of approximately $1.6 million. The plan is expected to save between $1.5 and $2.1 million. From a program perspective, $1.6 million in our budget is equivalent to any one of the following items: A reduction of 27 classroom teachers, which would cause increases in class size and elimination or reduction of elective choices in secondary schools; the elimination of all elementary and middle school library/media specialists; the elimination of the entire budget for general education paraprofessionals in all elementary and secondary schools; the elimination of the entire budget for athletic and extra curricular activities; the reduction of transportation for our general education students by one-third; and the elimination of the entire budget for elementary and secondary teaching supplies, office supplies, textbooks, new and replacement equipment, library books and materials, and library on-line services. Please, don't make the same mistakes I did. Get involved. Attend board meetings, or watch them on TV. Volunteer. Stay in touch and get all sides of the issue online at either www.livonia.k12.mi.us, Citizensforlivoniasfuture.com, or Livonianeighbors.com. If we all find a way to come together, we can fix this. James Dawes Livonia Statements disappoint I was quite disappointed in the statements made by Ms. Carolyn Norris Deyell, president of the LEA, during the LPS Board of Education meeting on Monday, Nov. 6. She turned what should have been a proud moment for three well-deserving teachers into a political grandstanding event. Ms. Amy Atwater-Truchan, Ms. Isolina Carlini, and Ms. Mary Clark, were each being presented with Teacher of the Year Awards representing the elementary, middle, and high schools respectively. Ms. Deyell took the spotlight off these teachers with a lengthy speech concerning State Proposal 5. She manipulated other teachers into standing behind her while she spoke about how teachers were made into the bad guys by those opposed to this proposal. I not only disagree with her perspective on this issue, but I am also incredulous that she would use this forum to espouse her views. No matter what your opinions are about Proposal 5, her diatribe was highly inappropriate and reflected poorly on her, the LEA, and the board. Shame on them for not putting a stop to her political rhetoric and redirecting the focus of the meeting. I commend these teachers for their dedication and service to our children. More importantly, I appreciate all teachers for their time, efforts, and the many personal sacrifices they make on behalf of their students. Their worth to our children is often immeasurable and an opportunity to recognize their value should never be overshadowed by politics nor one's personal agenda. Lisa M. Hofmann Livonia |
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| fyi | Nov 16 2006, 09:30 AM Post #2 |
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Principal
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:wacko:
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| ILIkeLI | Nov 16 2006, 09:34 AM Post #3 |
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Principal
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"Two years ago, the district gained 75 kindergartners." I thought enrollment was declining but as recent as 2 years ago there was an increase? I certainly understand there was, it is interesting, now that it serves his purpose (making excuses for how it is so hard to predict enrollment...yet they "are historically within a 1/4 of 1%?"), Randy acknowledges this fact also. "Special education students are covered by the foundation allowance from the state and schools get extra funding for added costs." Thery are not the "drain" on the budget you portrayed them to be are they Dan? "The district hadn't anticipated losing any students because of the plan, Liepa said." This is just such an ignorant statement. What about all of the parents who TOLD them they were going to leave? How about the 5+ anger and frustraion filled hours at CHS and they had no clue people were dissatisfied with the plan? The more they speak, the more ridiculous they appear. "The district does not have any plans in place currently to try to lure those students back, Liepa said, but that is something LPS will consider." Again with the oblivious attitude. How many have to leave before this administration plans to take action to make the district attractive? Their continually careless attitudes are going to bankrupt the district. I can't believe that people can continue to support this admin. Care to comment supporters? I'm thinking that there are fewer and fewer of you these days.... |
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| ILIkeLI | Nov 16 2006, 09:39 AM Post #4 |
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Principal
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Awesome letters! |
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| mikefromholland | Nov 16 2006, 09:41 AM Post #5 |
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Principal
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Lots of parallels to the Holland situation 3 years ago when our focus schools were first implemented. See comments in bold below. And remember when looking at the numbers, that Holland's district is about 1/3 the enrollment of LPS.
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| fyi | Nov 16 2006, 09:50 AM Post #6 |
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Principal
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When the gains from the other programs are not factored in, LPS actually saw a decrease of 621 students in general education population. Wow! That's a huge decrease for one year! Very interesting...... Thank you to the Observer for the accurate reporting! |
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| ILIkeLI | Nov 16 2006, 10:03 AM Post #7 |
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Principal
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Kindergarten enrollment is the most difficult to predict, Liepa said. Come on now. This self-serving double-talk is out of control. Do all of you remember how parents begged to put the LI on hold because they felt neighborhoods were beginning to turn over in favor of younger families? People were concerned that too many schools would be closed at once and leave no room for growth. The admin. responded VERY confidently as they described the process of enrollment prediction and how their guru was historically within 1%. They were so confident in this guys ability that his prediction of a decline was the foundation for the LI. Now enrollment is so "difficult too predict"? Nothing but contradictions...What is it Randy, are you guys awesome at predicting enrollment or is it just too difficult??? |
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| f11 | Nov 16 2006, 10:16 AM Post #8 |
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LPS, transportation for all
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it wasnt 1%, it was 1/4 of 1%. |
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| ILIkeLI | Nov 16 2006, 10:23 AM Post #9 |
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Principal
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Thanks f11, that makes it even more ridiculous doesn't it? initially claiming that kind of accuracy and then when it serves as a good excuse, claiming it is "too difficult" to predict. |
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| livoniamom | Nov 16 2006, 12:55 PM Post #10 |
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Principal
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So if St. Mikes only gained "a few" from LPS and St. Edith's gained 6 and St. Damian's got zero from LPS -- were did the 90-some other students go??? Many to the montesory because it is tuition free??? I am not a math analyst but after reading this articles I am still not what effect the LI had on enrollment. Are we ever going to know?? |
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| Recalla | Nov 16 2006, 01:14 PM Post #11 |
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Principal
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Let's not forget St. Genevieve. They too gained several students from LPS (Losing Plenty o' Students)
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| professionalmom | Nov 16 2006, 02:02 PM Post #12 |
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Principal
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I've also heard of people going to private outside of Livonia. Our lady of Good Counsel (plymouth), Our Lady of Sorrows (Farmington). |
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| NFarquharson | Nov 16 2006, 03:58 PM Post #13 |
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Principal
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There are also kids that went to the Lutheran schools and of course there may be some that left Livonia or some that would have moved into Livonia that did not. There are kids that would have started Kindergarten whose parents chose a private school. The private schools can only give an idea about the kids that they know are LPS refugees because the parents have told them. The only way to get a ture feel for this is by conducting a survey of those that left. Only LPS has the full list of those people, although CFLF knows of about 200. |
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| Elisa | Nov 16 2006, 04:27 PM Post #14 |
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Northville Christian picked up some also. |
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| mikefromholland | Nov 16 2006, 04:44 PM Post #15 |
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Principal
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This is why no one is ever going to be able to give an exact count of how many students left because of the LI. No one, not the district and not even me with my dozens of spreadsheets was ever able to give an exact count of how many students left Holland Public because of the focus schools. The people who left may be countable because they can be identified. Those who did not come to the district will never be identified. I do not have a good handle on what proportion of the total loss (relative to projections) those unidentifiable people would represent. If you forced me to pick a number based upon what happened in Holland, I would guess between 30 and 70 percent. That would jive with the CFLF survey counting about 200 that said they were leaving, but the district losing hundreds more than that. |
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:wacko:


9:07 AM Jul 11