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Welcome to Gary Rider's blog! Thanks for stopping by. I initiated this site in October of 2009 with the hope I could use it as a tool to get information about the Thornapple Kellogg Schools out to our community. I hope you find it helpful. If you would like to email me please feel free to do so at: superintendent@tkschools.org. Thank You! |
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1/10/2012
Dear TK Community:
It is with many mixed emotions that I let you know I announced at last night’s School Board meeting that I will be retiring this June after 36 years of service to public education. I want to express my sincere appreciation to you, the board, the staff, administrators, and members of the TK community for providing me with the best professional experience of my life. My wife, Sandy, and I were both welcomed into the community with open arms five years ago and we feel very fortunate to have made many friends for life. The experience has exceeded our expectations and I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve you.
As for my retirement, I look forward to having more time with Sandy, our children and grandchildren, and possibly an occasional round of golf. I also look forward to continuing to stay active and engaged in the field of education working with school districts as a consultant.
In the mean time, I pledge you will continue to get my best effort on behalf of the students of Thornapple Kellogg. I look forward to working through the challenges we will face and doing everything I can to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership of the district.
With sincere respect,
Gary Rider
Hello Everyone –
I wanted to take a moment to give you some information about the great work our TK students and staff did just prior to the holiday break to benefit others. We should all be very proud of what they did – here is a sampling:
At the high school:
- The student council raised almost $3,000 for the Barry County United Way Emergency Relief Fund, which helps families keep their heat and electricity on during the winter.
- Students also collected toys for Barry County Kids.
At the middle school:
- Students raised over $2000 for the Children’s Miracle Network.
At Page Elementary:
- The Special Education department raised over $700 for Love Inc
- Classrooms adopted three families in need and provided them with gifts for Christmas.
- The student council provided 15 holiday baskets for families in need.
At Lee Elementary:
- Students conducted a food drive and a toy drive.
- Classrooms adopted two families in need.
- Sponsored the “Shop with a Cop” program: Two needy students shopped for Christmas with a state trooper and went out to lunch.
At McFall Elementary:
- 43 Students received food from Hand2hand Ministry.
- Students conducted a food drive coordinated by Middleville Christian Reformed Church.
12/16/2011
Hello Everyone!
I’m sure it must be a sign that I am aging but I can’t believe Christmas vacation is already upon us! The holiday season has really jumped up and grabbed the Rider household this year. It’s been hectic, crazy and chaotic - but at the same time - great. The shopping for the kids and grand kids is just about complete, the holiday parties have begun and all of a sudden we have become engulfed by the spirit of the season - we love it.
Thank so much to our staff for their great work this school year. Their focus on students has been exceptional and their continued outstanding effort on behalf of the kids of Thornapple Kellogg is greatly appreciated. I feel we are all very lucky to be able to do work that matters. There is nothing more important than being able to contribute to the future and we should all be very proud that our staff is helping make our community and the world a better place.
I hope you have a great two weeks (plus a day!) of vacation. I also hope you get some time to celebrate with family, remember those less fortunate than ourselves and have the chance to look back and reflect on how truly blessed we are!
Happy Holidays, and have a very Merry Christmas everyone!
11/17/2011
Hello Everyone –
Each fall the school board and I conduct a workshop to review our Governance Team “Standards of Practice” (the board’s version of a social contract) and set goals for me for the upcoming year. The workshop took place on October 18 and after some clean up and “wordsmithing” the board and I signed the document at the board meeting this past Monday night.
In the "Documents" column to the right hand side of this page you can click on a link (101811 goals and standards of practice) that includes both. 11/8/2011
Amid all of the negative news in Lansing, revenues continue to increase. Latest projections indicate revenue collections in the school aid fund may be as much as $260 more than original projections. Here is the story from MIRS:
(By the way – MIRS (Michigan Information & Research Service) is a comprehensive news service that provides analysis of state government delivered in written reports detailing the activities of the House, Senate, Judicial and Executive branches of Michigan state government.)
State lawmakers and Gov. Rick SNYDER may well wind up with an extra $500 million on their hands according to a quarterly House Fiscal Agency (HFA) revenue report issued today.
Based on revenue collections through October, the HFA is estimating fiscal year (FY) 2010-11 revenues are approximately $500 million higher than May 2011 consensus estimates. General Fund/General Purpose (GF/GP) revenue is up an estimated $240 million and estimated School Aid Fund (SAF) revenue is up $260 million.
Revenue collected in October and some revenue collected in November accrues back to the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2011. Therefore, FY 2010-11 revenue numbers are not final until mid to late December after all accruals and adjustments are made.
When quarterly collections data for the thirteen major taxes and Lottery transfers to the SAF are compared to the same quarter last year, collections this year were up 5.5 percent quarter over quarter, and up 7.2 percent year-to-date.
When quarterly collections data for the Personal Income Tax (minus refund checks) are compared to the same quarter last year, collections this year were up 6.4 percent quarter over quarter, and up 14.3 percent year-to-date.
When quarterly collections data for Sales and Use Taxes are compared to the same quarter last year, collections this year were up 5.5 percent quarter over quarter, and up 6.2 percent year-to-date.
When quarterly collections data for the Business and Insurance Taxes are compared to the same quarter last year, collections this year were up 24.1 percent quarter over quarter, and up 6.6 percent year-to-date.
The Report provided an overview of State and U.S. economic conditions noting that total Michigan nonfarm in October employment fell by 14,000 after a decline of 2,200. However, relative to a year ago, employment was up 1.7 percent or 65,000 jobs. The Report also noted that the Chicago Fed's Midwest Manufacturing Index increased 0.4 percent in September, and the State unemployment rate declined to 11.1 percent.
The broadest measure of economic activity in the national economy is gross domestic product (GDP). Third quarter GDP grew 2.5 percent - the strongest gain in over one year. Strong growth (16.3 percent) in nonresidential business fixed investment and a 2.4 percent increase in personal consumption contributed to GDP growth.
On the employment front, nonfarm employment increased 80,000 in October, and combined job growth estimates for August and September was revised upward to 102,000. Total light vehicle sales in October were at their highest level since February - 13.2 million units on an annualized basis.
However, both the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) index for manufacturing declined to 50.8 in October and the ISM index for services fell to 52.9. These indexes indicate that both the manufacturing sector and the services sector are still expanding, but at a very slow rate.
Hello Everyone –
Here’s is today’s hot item from Lansing:
The bill that would totally lift the cap on charter schools (SB 618), is expected to be taken up by the House Education Committee this week. I am encouraging people to oppose this legislation and agree with the talking points that are provided below by KISD Communications Director, Ron Koehler:
· Charter expansion should be limited to those districts that have buildings on the persistently low achieving list for several years and are unable to show improvement.
· Community colleges can already charter schools within their boundaries; there is no reason to extend their ability to charter statewide.
· Colleges that charter schools should be required to retain the 3 percent charter fee for the purpose of administration and monitoring charter performance. We cannot ensure quality if we allow those funds to go into the university’s general fund.
I would encourage you to contact our state Rep. Mike Callton and tell him you do not support the unlimited expansion of charter schools. In addition, I would encourage you to contact Reps. Tom Hooker and Ken Yonker today and tell them the same.
Both Tom and Ken are members of the House Education Committee and have indicated they would like to find ways to amend this legislation. Ask them how we can help and who else we can contact to make a difference. Below is a draft of a letter that was sent to me by Ron Koehler that can be used as a model for people who are looking to send a message to their legislators. Email addresses for Mike, Tom and Ken are listed below.
MikeCallton@house.mi.gov
ThomasHooker@house.mi.gov
KenYonker@house.mi.gov
Thank You!
Gary Rider, Superintendent
Thornapple Kellogg Schools
(269) 795-5521
Dear Rep. (name)
I am writing to ask you to stop weakening excellent public schools all across the state by opening the door to unlimited charter schools and cyber charter schools with no guarantee of quality or a record of previous success.
Our goal in Michigan should be creating the best schools, not the most schools. Our schools need the resources to deliver a world class education to our students. The Parental Empowerment Package now before the House does nothing to improve education and everything to weaken it by reducing the resources available to all schools.
I believe every child should have access to a great education, and every parent whose child is in a so-called failing district should have a choice to send their children to a better school. We should limit new charter and cyber-charter options to those districts and buildings where state accreditation standards show the district is not performing.
Our state does not have unlimited resources, and my child has just one chance at a great education. Parents who live in “failing” districts should have a choice, but unlimited choice doesn’t help those children and it doesn’t help mine either, because it spreads our limited resources over a greater number of schools.
Let’s not use choice to drive every district into mediocrity. Let’s use choice where it is necessary to improve education. Please demand the Parental Empowerment Package contains language that limits these options to districts that persistently fail to meet state standards.
Hi everyone –
Below is an email from Patricia Draper of the Kent County Health Department. It is about a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. It will be the first of its kind since 1997 so I am asking you to please review the info and pass it on to others so that they will understand that next Wednesday’s broadcast is only a test!
Thanks -
Gary Rider, Superintendent
Thornapple Kellogg Schools
(269) 795-5521
Next Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be broadcast over television and radio nationwide. This test of the EAS's national alerting capabilities is the first since its inception in 1997.
To be certain everyone understands that this is test and not an actual alert, FEMA wants to spread the word. Below are links to video messages from FEMA in English, American Sign Language and Spanish.
(Attn: Katie and Sandy - Neil McDevitt from CEPIN is in the ASL video!)
English/ASL: http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407
Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6408
I have attached transcripts from the videos in MS Word.
Let your employees, families and friends know about the test, and encourage them to do the same!
Patricia G. Draper, PEM
Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Kent County Health Department
700 Fuller Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616.632.7292
Cell: 616.856.1800
Fax: 616.632.7083
www.accesskent.com/dmhhs 5/23/2011
This is an update on what is happening in Lansing. As we said during the budget forums last week things are happening quickly. We hope that updates like this will help keep you informed.
- First, The revenue conference on Monday gave us some hopeful news. It was announced that there is more revenue than projected both for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years. Just how much, if any, might be distributed to K-12 schools is still uncertain.
· Our insurance rates. At some of our budget forums Chris was able to announce we had received verbal notification that our MESSA medical rate had increased by about 12.5% - less than the 15% we used for our budget forecast. When she received official documentation Chris learned that because our rates are “paked” the actual increase will fluctuate a bit from the original 12.5%. Chris will have a more accurate estimate completed soon.
- A Conference Committee to iron-out the SAF differences between the House and Senate has been named. Rumors swirling around the Capitol include those saying the House’s 3.5% school funding cut ($256 reduction for TK) would be maintained, but the equivalent of up to $100 per pupil would be used to lower the retirement rate (by about 1.5%) and another $100 per pupil would go to districts that demonstrate “best practices.”
I think we need to listen to the spin that will come out of Lansing over the next few days very carefully. I fear that legislators and the governor will characterize their plan for the use of added revenue as a victory for schools. It is better than it could have been but in my view it’s not in the form it should be. It is a reminder of the old John Engler saying “Show them death and they will happily accept amputation.” Here is an example of why I would say this.
The governor’s proposed per pupil rate for base foundation districts like TK is $6,846 compared to the $7,316 per student we received in 2008-09. This is a reduction of $470 per student or about $1.4 million in operating revenue per year. There is a total of approximately $1.4 Billion dollars in the School Aid Fund that could be used to help restore some or all of these cuts. To this date $0 dollars have been allocated for this purpose. The monies that are currently proposed to go to K-12 schools are only one time fixes – they will not help us structurally over time.
This is an incredibly complex time in our state’s history. Legislative action is happening at break neck speed so we will have to work hard to keep you informed of the changes that will be happening. In addition, for those who might not have been able to attend, I have attached a copy of the PowerPoint presentation we used during the community and staff budget forums for your information (on the right hand side of the page under "Documents").
Thanks again for your hard work on behalf of the kids of TK. As always, feel free to contact me with comments or questions.
Sincerely,
Gary Rider, Superintendent
Thornapple Kellogg Schools
(269) 795-5521
5/5/2011
Unfortunately, this time “No news is not good news”. It’s May 5 – the Governor has made his address to education and unfortunately there was no announcement about financial relief for schools. The legislative process isn’t complete but the Senate has passed their version (which is even worse for TK) and the House seems to be moving on their edition of the budget quickly. It appears that they may make their June 1 deadline for having the budget done.
For us, the bottom line is that we have to get ready to plan and react based on the information we have now and build in the capacity to adjust when we get further clarification. The budget “target” we were hoping for is not the one we got. Next year it is clear that we will have to spend into our fund equity, use all of our EduJobs money and make additional cuts to people and/or programs. There will be no easy fixes or solutions. There is nothing we can do at this point that would be something we would want to do to solve our financial problems. It is truly a no-win situation.
At this time, we want to announce the scheduling of a public forum for the purpose of discussing with the community: the cuts we will most likely see from the state, the Governor’s recent address to education and how TK is preparing to react. We also hope to hear from you.
This is a very important point in our district’s history. We are committed to continuing to provide the great level of education we have in the past, whatever it takes. Your ideas and input will be critical in order for that to continue. We have invited all of our staff members to meet with us in a series of district-wide meetings to discuss these issues as well. It is important we hear from both the staff and community prior to making any final decisions on our recommendation to the Board. Meeting information is included at the bottom of this email.
In the meantime I want you to know that we have been working very hard preparing for what may come. The Administrative Team has met several times now in regard to planning and preparing for the next few years. I want to also acknowledge how the unfortunate timing of the process this year has added to people’s stress level in other areas as well.
That’s it for now - I hope we will be able to see you Wednesday night.
Sincerely,
Gary Rider, Superintendent
Thornapple Kellogg Schools
(269) 795-5521
Thornapple Kellogg Schools Community Budget Forum
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 @ 7:00 pm
Room 1616 - TK Middle School 3/21/2011
A message to the Michigan Legislature – and You:
State finance is very complicated these days and with money being so tight “The devil is
definitely in the details.” The following message is meant for the State Legislature and it’s a simple one. Here it is:
Do not take $900 million dollars – or any amount for that matter – from the K-12 schools and give it to community colleges and universities.
Those of us sending this message have nothing against community colleges and universities – we truly value their importance to our state’s education system. Here’s why we would send this message:
The Governor’s current proposed budget would take away $700 million dollars from K-12
schools and give it to universities. It would also take another $200 million for community
colleges. This reduction would mean Thornapple Kellogg would lose over $1.4 million dollars in funding next year. This change is the biggest reason K-12 schools all over Michigan are looking at such significant cuts. In addition, we need to plan for increases in expenditures that – worst case – would cost another $1 million dollars.
The Michigan legislature acted last summer to take $200 million dollars from K-12 schools to cover a shortfall in the General Fund for community colleges. It was sold as a one-time “loan” that would not set a precedent and prior to this action last year; money had never been taken from the School Aid Fund to support the General Fund. School officials across the state protested; concerned that this would set a precedent for the future. It seems that it has.
If this proposal should remain unchanged, community colleges would receive no cut next year, university revenues would be cut by 3% (see footnote #1) and K-12 schools would be cut by more than 7% (see footnote #2). Please keep in mind that individual K-12 districts are prohibited from generating additional operating revenue while community colleges and universities can do so by raising tuition.
Proposal A was passed in 1994 by the voters of Michigan to fund the School Aid Fund for K-12 schools – not community colleges and universities. This isn’t “shared sacrifice” – it’s a raid on the School Aid Fund that could devastate K-12 public education.
Adequate school funding isn't just an education issue – it's a community issue, a state-wide economic recovery issue and an issue that defines our state’s priorities. Public K-12 education affects every person in the state, whether they have school age children or not.
Please contact Governor Rick Snyder, Senator Rick Jones and Representative Mike Callton to let them know how you feel about the raid on the School Aid Fund. I find it indefensible – I hope you will agree.
Contact information:
Governor Rick Snyder
PO Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov
Senator Rick Jones
915 Farnum Building
PO Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909
senrjones@senate.michigan.gov
Representative Mike Callton
N-1191 House Office Building
PO Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
mikecallton@house.mi.gov
Footnotes
- The “advertised” cut for universities is 15%, but since such a small part of their revenue comes from the state their actual cut is close to 3%.
- All districts will lose $300 per student from the Governor’s budget and another $239 per student due to an increase in the MPSERS rate. The total of $539 per student is a 7.4% cut in funding. In addition, over $170 per student in one time federal EduJobs money has been eliminated.
Thank you for your time and interest in regard to this very important issue for the future of public education in Michigan.
Sincerely,
Gary Rider
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