1 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:05,733 A battle 2 00:00:05,733 --> 00:00:06,466 over how to fund 3 00:00:06,466 --> 00:00:07,400 Michigan schools 4 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:08,266 and from the K through 5 00:00:08,266 --> 00:00:09,566 12 school Alliance. 6 00:00:09,566 --> 00:00:10,700 Superintendent Erik 7 00:00:10,700 --> 00:00:11,633 Edoff is here 8 00:00:11,633 --> 00:00:12,500 to talk about that. 9 00:00:12,500 --> 00:00:14,033 And that's our lead story. 10 00:00:14,033 --> 00:00:15,366 And the Biden campaign 11 00:00:15,366 --> 00:00:16,533 takes up residency 12 00:00:16,533 --> 00:00:17,866 in Michigan from the U.P. 13 00:00:17,866 --> 00:00:18,966 to Detroit 14 00:00:18,966 --> 00:00:20,200 around the OTR table. 15 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:21,433 Jonathan Oosting, Emily 16 00:00:21,433 --> 00:00:23,300 Lawler and Simon Schuster 17 00:00:23,300 --> 00:00:24,200 sit in with us 18 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:26,333 as we get the inside out. 19 00:00:26,333 --> 00:00:30,733 Off the record. 20 00:00:30,733 --> 00:00:31,666 Production of Off 21 00:00:31,666 --> 00:00:32,966 the Record is made possible, 22 00:00:32,966 --> 00:00:34,266 in part by 23 00:00:34,266 --> 00:00:35,266 Martin Waymire, 24 00:00:35,266 --> 00:00:36,166 a full service 25 00:00:36,166 --> 00:00:37,400 strategic communications 26 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:39,333 agency, partnering with clients 27 00:00:39,333 --> 00:00:40,500 through public relations, 28 00:00:40,500 --> 00:00:42,100 digital marketing and public 29 00:00:42,100 --> 00:00:43,433 policy engagement. 30 00:00:43,433 --> 00:00:44,600 Learn more at 31 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:46,733 Martinwaymire.com 32 00:00:46,733 --> 00:00:47,500 and now 33 00:00:47,500 --> 00:00:48,633 this edition of Off 34 00:00:48,633 --> 00:00:51,500 the Record with Tim Skubick. 35 00:00:51,500 --> 00:00:52,133 Thanks very much. 36 00:00:52,133 --> 00:00:52,900 Welcome to studio 37 00:00:52,900 --> 00:00:54,333 C for off the record, Well, 38 00:00:54,333 --> 00:00:55,400 we have a little 39 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:56,433 dispute going on. 40 00:00:56,433 --> 00:00:57,766 Maybe that word is too strong, 41 00:00:57,766 --> 00:00:59,500 but I like it over the school 42 00:00:59,500 --> 00:01:00,100 aid budget. 43 00:01:00,100 --> 00:01:02,133 Let's take a look eh. 44 00:01:02,133 --> 00:01:03,066 With over a million 45 00:01:03,066 --> 00:01:04,533 school kids in the classroom, 46 00:01:04,533 --> 00:01:05,700 what state lawmakers 47 00:01:05,700 --> 00:01:06,833 do on the state school 48 00:01:06,833 --> 00:01:07,366 aid budget 49 00:01:07,366 --> 00:01:08,066 is critical 50 00:01:08,066 --> 00:01:09,566 to the quality of education 51 00:01:09,566 --> 00:01:10,266 being offered 52 00:01:10,266 --> 00:01:11,300 to those students. 53 00:01:11,300 --> 00:01:12,600 This Republican senator 54 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:13,300 doesn't give it 55 00:01:13,300 --> 00:01:14,400 a passing grade. 56 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:15,766 Wouldn't give it a pass 57 00:01:15,766 --> 00:01:17,666 ranging between an A 58 00:01:17,666 --> 00:01:19,433 to a B minus on the proposal. 59 00:01:19,433 --> 00:01:20,733 Senator Albert's big beef 60 00:01:20,733 --> 00:01:21,900 with the Democratic budget 61 00:01:21,900 --> 00:01:22,533 is that it 62 00:01:22,533 --> 00:01:24,400 redirects $670 million 63 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:25,766 from the teacher's retirement 64 00:01:25,766 --> 00:01:27,000 fund into a host 65 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:27,966 of school programs, 66 00:01:27,966 --> 00:01:28,900 which he claims are 67 00:01:28,900 --> 00:01:30,000 simply not needed 68 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:31,500 and will only eventually 69 00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:32,466 drive up the debt 70 00:01:32,466 --> 00:01:34,033 in that retirement fund. 71 00:01:34,033 --> 00:01:34,933 Giving free lunches 72 00:01:34,933 --> 00:01:35,666 to kids 73 00:01:35,666 --> 00:01:37,100 from wealthy families, 74 00:01:37,100 --> 00:01:37,800 starting driver's 75 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:39,433 training programs, 76 00:01:39,433 --> 00:01:40,633 all sorts of different things 77 00:01:40,633 --> 00:01:41,700 where we really just need 78 00:01:41,700 --> 00:01:42,600 to focus on 79 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:43,500 making sure 80 00:01:43,500 --> 00:01:44,700 our kids can do math 81 00:01:44,700 --> 00:01:45,600 and read and 82 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:47,500 and perform better in science. 83 00:01:47,500 --> 00:01:48,766 The public education lobby, 84 00:01:48,766 --> 00:01:50,233 meanwhile, sees other spending, 85 00:01:50,233 --> 00:01:51,100 including a boost 86 00:01:51,100 --> 00:01:52,466 in the per Pupil Foundation 87 00:01:52,466 --> 00:01:54,033 grant, which is good news. 88 00:01:54,033 --> 00:01:54,766 We're very pleased 89 00:01:54,766 --> 00:01:56,500 to see a 3.1% increase 90 00:01:56,500 --> 00:01:57,833 in the foundation allowance, 91 00:01:57,833 --> 00:02:00,266 some serious investments in 92 00:02:00,266 --> 00:02:00,966 at risk 93 00:02:00,966 --> 00:02:02,566 as well as special education. 94 00:02:02,566 --> 00:02:03,100 However, there's 95 00:02:03,300 --> 00:02:04,500 a real sticky point in that 96 00:02:04,500 --> 00:02:06,133 the Senate Democrats have sided 97 00:02:06,133 --> 00:02:07,200 with the governor on 98 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:08,300 how to use the teacher 99 00:02:08,300 --> 00:02:09,466 retirement account. 100 00:02:09,466 --> 00:02:10,466 Well, the education 101 00:02:10,466 --> 00:02:12,600 lobby favors the House version, 102 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:13,833 whereby they claim 103 00:02:13,833 --> 00:02:15,333 an additional 500 bucks 104 00:02:15,333 --> 00:02:16,866 could be spent on each student. 105 00:02:16,866 --> 00:02:18,266 All of the management community 106 00:02:18,266 --> 00:02:19,433 and the 107 00:02:19,433 --> 00:02:20,500 the labor community 108 00:02:20,500 --> 00:02:21,500 on the education side 109 00:02:21,500 --> 00:02:22,200 advocating for a 110 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:23,300 certain priority. 111 00:02:23,300 --> 00:02:23,833 I think you're going 112 00:02:23,833 --> 00:02:24,866 to start hearing 113 00:02:24,866 --> 00:02:25,566 from legislators 114 00:02:25,566 --> 00:02:26,200 that they want to make it 115 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:27,166 their priority as well 116 00:02:27,166 --> 00:02:28,033 to see those dollars 117 00:02:28,033 --> 00:02:29,033 come back to the classroom. 118 00:02:29,033 --> 00:02:30,066 There was money for a free 119 00:02:30,066 --> 00:02:31,333 breakfast program, 120 00:02:31,333 --> 00:02:32,300 more money for mental 121 00:02:32,300 --> 00:02:33,100 health and related 122 00:02:33,100 --> 00:02:34,400 post-COVID services 123 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:35,566 and funds to recruit 124 00:02:35,566 --> 00:02:36,966 and retain teachers, 125 00:02:36,966 --> 00:02:39,366 and about $9,700 126 00:02:39,366 --> 00:02:40,900 for every pupil in the state. 127 00:02:40,900 --> 00:02:41,866 However, this debate 128 00:02:41,866 --> 00:02:42,733 between the governor 129 00:02:42,733 --> 00:02:43,700 and the Democrats 130 00:02:43,700 --> 00:02:44,933 and the education lobby 131 00:02:44,933 --> 00:02:45,666 not clear how 132 00:02:45,666 --> 00:02:48,300 that's going to come out. 133 00:02:48,300 --> 00:02:48,533 All right. 134 00:02:48,933 --> 00:02:49,833 So how serious is this 135 00:02:49,833 --> 00:02:51,500 disagreement, Emily? 136 00:02:51,500 --> 00:02:51,866 You know, 137 00:02:52,100 --> 00:02:52,900 I think that we saw 138 00:02:52,900 --> 00:02:53,633 the Democrats 139 00:02:53,633 --> 00:02:54,833 being on the same page 140 00:02:54,833 --> 00:02:55,866 for a very long time 141 00:02:55,866 --> 00:02:57,666 at the beginning of their 142 00:02:57,666 --> 00:02:59,100 tenure here for taking over 143 00:02:59,100 --> 00:03:00,133 power for the first time 144 00:03:00,133 --> 00:03:00,733 in 40 years. 145 00:03:00,733 --> 00:03:02,266 And this is more along 146 00:03:02,266 --> 00:03:02,566 the lines 147 00:03:03,066 --> 00:03:03,733 of what I was expecting to see, 148 00:03:03,733 --> 00:03:05,233 some sort of different idea. 149 00:03:05,233 --> 00:03:05,833 That's what you. 150 00:03:05,833 --> 00:03:08,033 Were hoping to see. 151 00:03:08,033 --> 00:03:09,933 I'm not rooting it Tim, 152 00:03:09,933 --> 00:03:11,000 but I do think 153 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:11,766 that this is sort 154 00:03:11,766 --> 00:03:13,366 of a natural progression 155 00:03:13,366 --> 00:03:14,433 of a relationship. 156 00:03:14,433 --> 00:03:14,600 Well, 157 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:16,000 this is more of the same house 158 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:17,866 versus Senate, is it not? 159 00:03:17,866 --> 00:03:18,300 Certainly. 160 00:03:18,300 --> 00:03:19,200 And I mean, 161 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:20,600 I think that this sort of shows 162 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:21,266 the disconnect 163 00:03:21,266 --> 00:03:22,133 between these agendas. 164 00:03:22,133 --> 00:03:22,833 I think, 165 00:03:22,833 --> 00:03:23,566 you know, Governor Whitmer 166 00:03:23,566 --> 00:03:24,666 had such a commanding win 167 00:03:24,666 --> 00:03:25,833 in the 2022 election. 168 00:03:25,833 --> 00:03:26,366 It allotted her 169 00:03:26,366 --> 00:03:26,933 a certain amount 170 00:03:26,933 --> 00:03:28,133 of political gravity 171 00:03:28,133 --> 00:03:29,633 for her policy agenda. 172 00:03:29,633 --> 00:03:30,300 And you're obviously 173 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:30,966 seeing a shift here 174 00:03:30,966 --> 00:03:31,766 with the changing 175 00:03:31,766 --> 00:03:32,433 fiscal picture, 176 00:03:32,433 --> 00:03:33,466 although bean counters 177 00:03:33,466 --> 00:03:34,333 aren't necessarily saying 178 00:03:34,333 --> 00:03:34,733 that we're going 179 00:03:35,033 --> 00:03:36,033 to have a revenue shortfall, 180 00:03:36,033 --> 00:03:36,933 what's possible? 181 00:03:36,933 --> 00:03:37,500 The ceiling on 182 00:03:37,500 --> 00:03:38,366 that has lowered. 183 00:03:38,366 --> 00:03:39,866 And so by having this shift, 184 00:03:39,866 --> 00:03:41,500 this gives Governor Whitmer 185 00:03:41,500 --> 00:03:43,000 more wiggle room. 186 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:44,000 But then it also gives, 187 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:45,266 I think, the legislature 188 00:03:45,266 --> 00:03:46,233 a bigger stake at the table 189 00:03:46,233 --> 00:03:46,533 in terms 190 00:03:46,900 --> 00:03:47,500 of what they want done. 191 00:03:47,500 --> 00:03:48,100 Yeah, that's the real 192 00:03:48,100 --> 00:03:48,800 subtext here. 193 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:51,266 The state had a big surplus. 194 00:03:51,266 --> 00:03:52,200 It had all of this 195 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:53,400 federal funding 196 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:54,633 that's run out now. 197 00:03:54,633 --> 00:03:55,866 So this is the first budget. 198 00:03:55,866 --> 00:03:57,066 Whitmer And Democrats 199 00:03:57,066 --> 00:03:57,833 who are in control 200 00:03:57,833 --> 00:03:58,633 are going to have to make that 201 00:03:58,633 --> 00:03:59,800 a little tighter. 202 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:00,600 So what the governor 203 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:01,966 wants to do is shift some money 204 00:04:01,966 --> 00:04:02,866 that would have been spent 205 00:04:02,866 --> 00:04:04,166 on retirement 206 00:04:04,166 --> 00:04:05,000 back into other 207 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,433 education programs. 208 00:04:07,433 --> 00:04:08,533 The House 209 00:04:08,533 --> 00:04:09,666 agrees generally 210 00:04:09,666 --> 00:04:11,033 with that concept. 211 00:04:11,033 --> 00:04:11,900 It's just a matter 212 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:13,133 of how it works, right? 213 00:04:13,133 --> 00:04:15,833 Whitmer wants that money to, 214 00:04:15,833 --> 00:04:16,666 you know, the state 215 00:04:16,666 --> 00:04:17,500 to save that money 216 00:04:17,500 --> 00:04:18,966 so the state can redirect 217 00:04:18,966 --> 00:04:19,633 the funds. 218 00:04:19,633 --> 00:04:20,333 The house 219 00:04:20,333 --> 00:04:21,433 and the education lobby 220 00:04:21,433 --> 00:04:23,433 even further is saying, no, 221 00:04:23,433 --> 00:04:24,533 reduce the payments 222 00:04:24,533 --> 00:04:25,633 that schools 223 00:04:25,633 --> 00:04:26,266 have to make 224 00:04:26,266 --> 00:04:27,266 to that retirement. 225 00:04:27,266 --> 00:04:28,233 Take it off our back and put it 226 00:04:28,233 --> 00:04:29,266 on yours. Exactly. 227 00:04:29,266 --> 00:04:30,766 So and then you have this 228 00:04:30,766 --> 00:04:32,400 third leg of the stool, 229 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:33,300 not quite as important 230 00:04:33,300 --> 00:04:33,533 because they're 231 00:04:33,833 --> 00:04:34,166 in the minority. 232 00:04:34,433 --> 00:04:35,166 But the Republicans 233 00:04:35,166 --> 00:04:36,300 who are just saying that 234 00:04:36,300 --> 00:04:37,500 they don't like the idea 235 00:04:37,500 --> 00:04:39,233 of a shift at all, 236 00:04:39,233 --> 00:04:40,500 they don't want 237 00:04:40,500 --> 00:04:40,800 you know, 238 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:42,500 they set up these systems 239 00:04:42,500 --> 00:04:43,200 in place 240 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:45,100 to pay down long term debt 241 00:04:45,100 --> 00:04:45,900 to make sure 242 00:04:45,900 --> 00:04:47,200 that the retirement 243 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:48,366 funds, the pension 244 00:04:48,366 --> 00:04:49,266 fund, the health care fund, 245 00:04:49,266 --> 00:04:50,166 we're going to be solvent 246 00:04:50,166 --> 00:04:51,500 for the long term. 247 00:04:51,500 --> 00:04:52,266 And they say just 248 00:04:52,266 --> 00:04:53,666 because on paper 249 00:04:53,666 --> 00:04:55,833 that starting to look better 250 00:04:55,833 --> 00:04:56,333 doesn't mean 251 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:58,133 we should end that effort now. 252 00:04:58,133 --> 00:04:59,666 So it's complicated, 253 00:04:59,666 --> 00:05:00,633 it's in the weeds. 254 00:05:00,633 --> 00:05:01,800 But the main issue 255 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:03,766 is without this shift 256 00:05:03,766 --> 00:05:04,433 in funding, 257 00:05:04,433 --> 00:05:05,233 the state would actually 258 00:05:05,233 --> 00:05:06,533 be cutting education 259 00:05:06,533 --> 00:05:08,233 spending fairly significantly. 260 00:05:08,233 --> 00:05:08,733 It would. 261 00:05:08,733 --> 00:05:09,466 It seems to me 262 00:05:09,466 --> 00:05:11,000 that this coalition is 263 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:11,833 is somewhat 264 00:05:11,833 --> 00:05:13,466 of a rarity in our town. 265 00:05:13,466 --> 00:05:15,200 They have labor and management 266 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:16,666 all on the same page. 267 00:05:16,666 --> 00:05:18,200 Yeah, I think that is something 268 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:19,366 that is unique 269 00:05:19,366 --> 00:05:20,433 about this 270 00:05:20,433 --> 00:05:21,766 argument or dispute, 271 00:05:21,766 --> 00:05:23,866 as you termed it earlier. 272 00:05:23,866 --> 00:05:24,266 But, you know, 273 00:05:24,566 --> 00:05:25,266 I do think that there's like 274 00:05:25,266 --> 00:05:26,033 a lot of different 275 00:05:26,033 --> 00:05:26,933 legs of the stool, 276 00:05:26,933 --> 00:05:27,600 I guess 277 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:28,666 as Jonathan put it, 278 00:05:28,666 --> 00:05:30,133 and a lot of competing ideas. 279 00:05:30,133 --> 00:05:30,800 And frankly, 280 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:31,500 this is what conference 281 00:05:31,500 --> 00:05:32,500 committees are for, right? 282 00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:33,266 There's a 283 00:05:33,266 --> 00:05:34,600 proposal on the table. 284 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:35,266 There are competing 285 00:05:35,266 --> 00:05:36,366 proposals on the table, 286 00:05:36,366 --> 00:05:37,200 and you get in a room 287 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:38,000 and hash it out. 288 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:38,733 And unfortunately, 289 00:05:38,733 --> 00:05:39,500 we're not invited, 290 00:05:39,500 --> 00:05:40,433 which seems rude. 291 00:05:40,433 --> 00:05:41,266 But yeah, 292 00:05:41,266 --> 00:05:42,766 well, that's the reality. 293 00:05:42,766 --> 00:05:43,700 It would seem to be that 294 00:05:43,700 --> 00:05:44,933 this coalition goes to, 295 00:05:44,933 --> 00:05:46,166 particularly members 296 00:05:46,166 --> 00:05:46,933 of the House 297 00:05:46,933 --> 00:05:48,633 who are wishy washy on this 298 00:05:48,633 --> 00:05:49,666 and say, 299 00:05:49,666 --> 00:05:49,933 look, 300 00:05:50,433 --> 00:05:51,200 we're looking at the calendar. 301 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:52,366 You've got a primary 302 00:05:52,366 --> 00:05:54,366 coming up in August, don't you? 303 00:05:54,366 --> 00:05:55,066 Yeah, absolutely. 304 00:05:55,066 --> 00:05:56,266 I think the election year is 305 00:05:56,266 --> 00:05:58,033 what overshadows all of this. 306 00:05:58,033 --> 00:05:58,533 There's a certain 307 00:05:58,733 --> 00:06:00,000 couching of expectations, 308 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:01,066 but I think there's also, 309 00:06:01,066 --> 00:06:02,466 because of what they're looking 310 00:06:02,466 --> 00:06:04,333 to do with this funding, 311 00:06:04,333 --> 00:06:05,433 they want to be able to come 312 00:06:05,433 --> 00:06:06,166 to their constituents 313 00:06:06,166 --> 00:06:07,433 in August and say, see, 314 00:06:07,433 --> 00:06:08,133 although, you know, 315 00:06:08,133 --> 00:06:08,633 we may not have 316 00:06:08,866 --> 00:06:09,666 as much money to work with, 317 00:06:09,666 --> 00:06:10,833 we're still delivering for you. 318 00:06:10,833 --> 00:06:11,866 And as a new, you know, 319 00:06:11,866 --> 00:06:12,866 Democratic trifecta, 320 00:06:12,866 --> 00:06:13,900 the first in 40 years, 321 00:06:13,900 --> 00:06:14,566 we still have an 322 00:06:14,566 --> 00:06:15,600 ambitious policy agenda 323 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:16,766 that we're moving forward on. 324 00:06:16,766 --> 00:06:17,333 And it wasn't just 325 00:06:17,333 --> 00:06:18,000 a fluke because 326 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:18,733 of this 327 00:06:18,733 --> 00:06:20,000 glut of federal resources. 328 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,700 And I wonder if some might of 329 00:06:21,700 --> 00:06:22,666 like directing it into 330 00:06:22,666 --> 00:06:23,366 the specific 331 00:06:23,366 --> 00:06:24,433 programs gives you something 332 00:06:24,433 --> 00:06:26,500 more concrete to brag about. 333 00:06:26,500 --> 00:06:27,400 You know, expanding 334 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:28,033 school lunches 335 00:06:28,033 --> 00:06:28,666 was something 336 00:06:28,666 --> 00:06:29,433 that we always sort of 337 00:06:29,433 --> 00:06:29,833 said, like, 338 00:06:30,033 --> 00:06:30,600 where's the ongoing 339 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:32,000 funding for that? 340 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,700 Expanding universal pre-K 341 00:06:33,700 --> 00:06:35,433 is something that, you know, 342 00:06:35,433 --> 00:06:36,633 a question hanging over 343 00:06:36,633 --> 00:06:38,333 It was where that ongoing 344 00:06:38,333 --> 00:06:39,333 funding comes from. 345 00:06:39,333 --> 00:06:41,066 And I do think that, you know, 346 00:06:41,066 --> 00:06:43,100 maybe those programs are easier 347 00:06:43,100 --> 00:06:43,766 to talk about 348 00:06:43,766 --> 00:06:45,066 than a general school 349 00:06:45,066 --> 00:06:45,733 and get more money. 350 00:06:45,733 --> 00:06:46,433 Well, plus, 351 00:06:46,433 --> 00:06:47,600 there's the potential loss 352 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:48,433 of all that mental 353 00:06:48,433 --> 00:06:49,400 health services 354 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:50,300 and the counseling 355 00:06:50,300 --> 00:06:51,000 and tutoring stuff 356 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:52,700 that went on post-COVID. 357 00:06:52,700 --> 00:06:53,466 Some of those people 358 00:06:53,466 --> 00:06:54,366 may evaporate, 359 00:06:54,366 --> 00:06:55,333 but for lack of money, 360 00:06:55,333 --> 00:06:56,700 some of this might end up there 361 00:06:56,700 --> 00:06:57,366 for sure. 362 00:06:57,366 --> 00:06:58,066 Well, yeah, 363 00:06:58,066 --> 00:06:59,066 a lot of the districts 364 00:06:59,066 --> 00:07:01,500 themselves were getting money 365 00:07:01,500 --> 00:07:02,600 from the federal government 366 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:03,266 as well. 367 00:07:03,266 --> 00:07:04,766 That expires this year. 368 00:07:04,766 --> 00:07:05,166 As you 369 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:07,066 mentioned, counselors, 370 00:07:07,066 --> 00:07:09,133 school support staff. 371 00:07:09,133 --> 00:07:10,300 The state had a program 372 00:07:10,300 --> 00:07:11,000 where they were paying 373 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:12,100 part of the salaries 374 00:07:12,100 --> 00:07:12,700 for districts 375 00:07:12,700 --> 00:07:13,633 to bring those folks 376 00:07:13,633 --> 00:07:15,566 on using COVID money. 377 00:07:15,566 --> 00:07:16,100 So a lot of the 378 00:07:16,333 --> 00:07:17,200 stuff is all coming to a head. 379 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:17,833 I mean, it's 380 00:07:17,833 --> 00:07:19,166 been good for schools 381 00:07:19,166 --> 00:07:19,800 in the state 382 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:20,633 that they got all this 383 00:07:20,633 --> 00:07:21,733 federal money. 384 00:07:21,733 --> 00:07:24,266 But now how you know, 385 00:07:24,266 --> 00:07:25,700 did you use it on long 386 00:07:25,700 --> 00:07:27,200 term expenses 387 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:28,033 or did you use it 388 00:07:28,033 --> 00:07:28,866 on one time expenses 389 00:07:28,866 --> 00:07:29,533 because you could spend it 390 00:07:29,533 --> 00:07:30,766 on salaries 391 00:07:30,766 --> 00:07:32,166 like Ann Arbor 392 00:07:32,166 --> 00:07:34,166 seems to have done somewhat. 393 00:07:34,166 --> 00:07:35,500 You're looking at potentially 394 00:07:35,500 --> 00:07:36,166 having to make 395 00:07:36,166 --> 00:07:37,733 some painful cuts 396 00:07:37,733 --> 00:07:38,766 this summer during 397 00:07:38,766 --> 00:07:39,600 the budgeting process 398 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:40,266 for local school districts 399 00:07:40,266 --> 00:07:40,700 Well, 400 00:07:40,966 --> 00:07:42,333 the L word is now in play 401 00:07:42,333 --> 00:07:44,100 layoffs. Yeah, absolutely. 402 00:07:44,100 --> 00:07:44,733 And I think that's something 403 00:07:44,733 --> 00:07:45,500 that we've seen in 404 00:07:45,500 --> 00:07:46,933 Ann Arbor now is that specters 405 00:07:46,933 --> 00:07:48,266 raise its ugly head 406 00:07:48,266 --> 00:07:49,300 and as a result is 407 00:07:49,300 --> 00:07:50,933 Jonathan was mentioning 408 00:07:50,933 --> 00:07:51,733 there's little control 409 00:07:51,733 --> 00:07:52,600 that the state has over 410 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:53,600 how these 411 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:54,333 local school districts 412 00:07:54,333 --> 00:07:55,133 use these funds. 413 00:07:55,133 --> 00:07:56,900 And so as a result, 414 00:07:56,900 --> 00:07:58,400 this gives the school districts 415 00:07:58,400 --> 00:07:58,833 as well 416 00:07:59,133 --> 00:08:00,366 a little bit of wiggle room 417 00:08:00,366 --> 00:08:01,866 because they're not 418 00:08:01,866 --> 00:08:02,466 they don't have that 419 00:08:02,466 --> 00:08:03,300 sort of OPEB monkey 420 00:08:03,300 --> 00:08:04,066 on their back. 421 00:08:04,066 --> 00:08:04,233 Well, 422 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:04,800 the interesting 423 00:08:05,166 --> 00:08:05,566 part of their story, 424 00:08:05,866 --> 00:08:06,566 it will affect the quality 425 00:08:06,566 --> 00:08:07,300 of education 426 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:08,333 from virtually every school 427 00:08:08,333 --> 00:08:09,100 kid is out there. 428 00:08:09,100 --> 00:08:10,733 How if you were betting on 429 00:08:10,733 --> 00:08:11,966 which side is going to win, 430 00:08:11,966 --> 00:08:14,433 which side would you bet on? 431 00:08:14,433 --> 00:08:14,866 You know 432 00:08:15,100 --> 00:08:15,966 no bettors in the group. 433 00:08:15,966 --> 00:08:17,766 well, the House plan 434 00:08:17,766 --> 00:08:19,433 actually is somewhere 435 00:08:19,433 --> 00:08:20,200 in between 436 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:21,633 what the education lobby wants 437 00:08:21,633 --> 00:08:22,666 and what the governor wants. 438 00:08:22,666 --> 00:08:23,666 So I woulnt be surprised. 439 00:08:23,666 --> 00:08:25,400 Theres a middle ground there. 440 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:25,800 Im not going to bet. 441 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:26,600 But I will say over 442 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:27,300 the last decade, 443 00:08:27,300 --> 00:08:28,300 we've seen increases 444 00:08:28,300 --> 00:08:29,066 in education 445 00:08:29,066 --> 00:08:30,366 and whether we see increases 446 00:08:30,366 --> 00:08:31,566 in these specific programs 447 00:08:31,566 --> 00:08:33,233 or the overall bottom line, 448 00:08:33,233 --> 00:08:33,733 they're going to be 449 00:08:33,733 --> 00:08:34,366 an increase. 450 00:08:34,366 --> 00:08:34,533 Yeah, 451 00:08:35,066 --> 00:08:35,600 the bottom line, Democrats 452 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:36,133 want to put out 453 00:08:36,133 --> 00:08:36,666 a press release 454 00:08:36,666 --> 00:08:37,433 that says record 455 00:08:37,433 --> 00:08:39,966 funding again for K-12 schools 456 00:08:39,966 --> 00:08:40,900 every year. 457 00:08:40,900 --> 00:08:41,366 That's right. 458 00:08:41,566 --> 00:08:42,666 It's sitting on the back 459 00:08:42,666 --> 00:08:44,133 desk waiting to be issued. 460 00:08:44,133 --> 00:08:45,200 Yeah, I think that obviously 461 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:46,266 it's a lot easier to be like, 462 00:08:46,266 --> 00:08:47,200 hey, look at my new sports 463 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:48,766 car instead of I'm making extra 464 00:08:48,766 --> 00:08:49,566 principal payments 465 00:08:49,566 --> 00:08:50,166 on my mortgage. 466 00:08:50,166 --> 00:08:51,266 How cool is that? 467 00:08:51,266 --> 00:08:53,033 And so, yeah, absolutely. 468 00:08:53,033 --> 00:08:54,366 And I think one of the short 469 00:08:54,366 --> 00:08:55,600 fallings of our budget process 470 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:56,266 that people have complained 471 00:08:56,266 --> 00:08:57,366 about for a long time 472 00:08:57,366 --> 00:08:57,966 is there's a level 473 00:08:57,966 --> 00:08:59,300 of opaqueness in that 474 00:08:59,300 --> 00:09:01,000 until we see these documents 475 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:01,833 come out of conference 476 00:09:01,833 --> 00:09:02,366 committee, 477 00:09:02,366 --> 00:09:03,566 we don't really know 478 00:09:03,566 --> 00:09:04,500 all of the stakeholders 479 00:09:04,500 --> 00:09:05,200 that are at play, 480 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:06,700 what all the demands are 481 00:09:06,700 --> 00:09:07,133 in terms 482 00:09:07,133 --> 00:09:08,000 of looking at 483 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:09,033 where this flexible funding 484 00:09:09,033 --> 00:09:09,733 can go 485 00:09:09,733 --> 00:09:10,733 from different stakeholders. 486 00:09:10,733 --> 00:09:11,866 And so 487 00:09:11,866 --> 00:09:12,400 the number that 488 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:12,933 they're arriving 489 00:09:12,933 --> 00:09:13,233 at in the House 490 00:09:13,633 --> 00:09:14,200 and the Senate, we're seeing 491 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:15,733 that sort of as a 492 00:09:15,733 --> 00:09:17,033 as a signal 493 00:09:17,033 --> 00:09:17,466 for where 494 00:09:17,700 --> 00:09:18,400 these stakeholders are. 495 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:19,133 But we really don't know how 496 00:09:19,133 --> 00:09:19,866 things are going to shake out. 497 00:09:19,866 --> 00:09:20,433 The bad news 498 00:09:20,433 --> 00:09:21,366 for Republicans 499 00:09:21,366 --> 00:09:22,300 is the concept 500 00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:24,300 of delayed gratification 501 00:09:24,300 --> 00:09:25,766 is but a fond memory. 502 00:09:25,766 --> 00:09:26,133 Okay? 503 00:09:26,466 --> 00:09:26,900 People don't want to look 504 00:09:27,233 --> 00:09:28,300 ten years down the road. Okay? 505 00:09:28,300 --> 00:09:29,033 They want to look at 506 00:09:29,033 --> 00:09:30,666 what's in front of their nose, 507 00:09:30,666 --> 00:09:32,133 enough of the editorial 508 00:09:32,133 --> 00:09:32,333 comment. All right. 509 00:09:32,833 --> 00:09:33,766 Let's move on to number two. 510 00:09:33,766 --> 00:09:35,600 The Bidens. Everybody and there 511 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:37,200 uncles coming in Michigan. 512 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:38,233 Yeah, you may 513 00:09:38,233 --> 00:09:39,433 have seen Joe Biden 514 00:09:39,433 --> 00:09:40,200 as far north 515 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:41,466 as the upper Peninsula 516 00:09:41,466 --> 00:09:42,400 this week. 517 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:43,633 She'll be downstate. 518 00:09:43,633 --> 00:09:44,200 She'll be downstate three days. 519 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:45,033 Yup, yup. 520 00:09:45,033 --> 00:09:46,633 Upper Peninsula up north 521 00:09:46,633 --> 00:09:47,333 and then down 522 00:09:47,333 --> 00:09:49,266 state to Midland, Detroit. 523 00:09:49,266 --> 00:09:49,666 And of course, 524 00:09:49,866 --> 00:09:50,500 the president himself 525 00:09:50,500 --> 00:09:51,433 is coming to the 526 00:09:51,433 --> 00:09:53,266 NAACP dinner in Detroit. 527 00:09:53,266 --> 00:09:54,933 So that's a pretty broad 528 00:09:54,933 --> 00:09:56,000 swath of voters 529 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:56,733 they're targeting 530 00:09:56,733 --> 00:09:58,833 between the two agendas. 531 00:09:58,833 --> 00:10:00,066 Are the two itineraries there? 532 00:10:00,066 --> 00:10:00,633 Well, is it 533 00:10:00,633 --> 00:10:01,566 the vice president's 534 00:10:01,566 --> 00:10:03,266 husband also in the state? 535 00:10:03,266 --> 00:10:04,133 Yeah. Yeah. 536 00:10:04,133 --> 00:10:06,133 He's traveling with Joe Biden. 537 00:10:06,133 --> 00:10:07,300 So, you know, 538 00:10:07,300 --> 00:10:08,966 and we saw Harris in the state 539 00:10:08,966 --> 00:10:10,100 last Monday, I believe. 540 00:10:10,100 --> 00:10:11,866 So I do think. Does the White 541 00:10:11,866 --> 00:10:12,766 House event, 542 00:10:12,766 --> 00:10:15,433 not a campaign event. 543 00:10:15,433 --> 00:10:18,200 Yet. So in quotes. 544 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:20,666 So is this an indication? 545 00:10:20,666 --> 00:10:21,200 Well, one, 546 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:21,933 it's an indication 547 00:10:21,933 --> 00:10:22,833 that Michigan is important, 548 00:10:22,833 --> 00:10:24,066 but is it an indication 549 00:10:24,066 --> 00:10:24,766 that this campaign 550 00:10:24,766 --> 00:10:26,466 is in trouble in Michigan? 551 00:10:26,466 --> 00:10:26,833 I think when. 552 00:10:27,266 --> 00:10:28,533 You talk to campaign officials, 553 00:10:28,533 --> 00:10:29,666 Biden campaign officials, 554 00:10:29,666 --> 00:10:30,633 they bend over backwards 555 00:10:30,633 --> 00:10:31,333 to say that 556 00:10:31,333 --> 00:10:32,366 we don't have concerns. 557 00:10:32,366 --> 00:10:33,733 This just demonstrates 558 00:10:33,733 --> 00:10:35,300 why Michigan is secure for us 559 00:10:35,300 --> 00:10:36,100 because we're 560 00:10:36,100 --> 00:10:36,900 willing to show up, 561 00:10:36,900 --> 00:10:38,466 whereas the former president, 562 00:10:38,466 --> 00:10:39,033 Donald Trump, 563 00:10:39,033 --> 00:10:40,066 is just going to fly 564 00:10:40,066 --> 00:10:40,766 in, hold a rally 565 00:10:40,766 --> 00:10:41,533 and fly back out. 566 00:10:41,533 --> 00:10:42,900 But we're here on the ground. 567 00:10:42,900 --> 00:10:43,566 And so that's why 568 00:10:43,566 --> 00:10:44,033 you should know that 569 00:10:44,266 --> 00:10:45,233 we have real commitments. 570 00:10:45,233 --> 00:10:45,866 But they're 571 00:10:45,866 --> 00:10:47,066 projecting confidence. 572 00:10:47,066 --> 00:10:48,333 But I think that just the sheer 573 00:10:48,333 --> 00:10:49,733 amount of ground time 574 00:10:49,733 --> 00:10:50,500 for all of these 575 00:10:50,500 --> 00:10:51,566 prominent figures 576 00:10:51,566 --> 00:10:53,233 seems to 577 00:10:53,233 --> 00:10:53,900 indicate that 578 00:10:53,900 --> 00:10:54,700 there are some concerns 579 00:10:54,700 --> 00:10:55,266 for the campaign. 580 00:10:55,266 --> 00:10:56,100 Well, the memory of 581 00:10:56,100 --> 00:10:56,733 go ahead and. 582 00:10:56,733 --> 00:10:57,700 Michigan isn't alone. 583 00:10:57,700 --> 00:10:58,200 They're right. 584 00:10:58,200 --> 00:10:58,666 Obviously, 585 00:10:58,666 --> 00:10:59,633 there's a few 586 00:10:59,633 --> 00:11:01,533 a handful of swing states, 587 00:11:01,533 --> 00:11:02,266 the blue wall, 588 00:11:02,266 --> 00:11:02,933 if you will, 589 00:11:02,933 --> 00:11:03,766 that the Biden campaign 590 00:11:03,766 --> 00:11:04,066 is paying 591 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:05,400 a lot of attention to. 592 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:05,966 I think there's a couple 593 00:11:05,966 --> 00:11:06,700 of things going on. 594 00:11:06,700 --> 00:11:08,333 One, Biden has an advantage 595 00:11:08,333 --> 00:11:09,766 that they have so much money 596 00:11:09,766 --> 00:11:10,133 there. 597 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:11,166 They're holding events 598 00:11:11,166 --> 00:11:12,700 as surrogates every other day. 599 00:11:12,700 --> 00:11:13,566 I mean, it's 600 00:11:13,566 --> 00:11:14,200 it's a little hard 601 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:14,966 to keep up with, 602 00:11:14,966 --> 00:11:16,733 honestly, as a reporter 603 00:11:16,733 --> 00:11:17,266 and I don't know, 604 00:11:17,266 --> 00:11:17,933 I want to cover 605 00:11:17,933 --> 00:11:19,533 some of those surrogates. 606 00:11:19,533 --> 00:11:21,133 But that said, 607 00:11:21,133 --> 00:11:22,200 they they also 608 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:23,266 Biden has an advantage 609 00:11:23,266 --> 00:11:24,066 that he's not 610 00:11:24,066 --> 00:11:26,866 forced to be in New York court 611 00:11:26,866 --> 00:11:28,566 several days a week. 612 00:11:28,566 --> 00:11:29,800 So he you know, 613 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:30,666 and his 614 00:11:30,666 --> 00:11:31,833 family in this case 615 00:11:31,833 --> 00:11:32,233 can have 616 00:11:32,533 --> 00:11:33,333 a little more flexibility 617 00:11:33,333 --> 00:11:34,833 to be around the state. 618 00:11:34,833 --> 00:11:35,933 But obviously, 619 00:11:35,933 --> 00:11:37,200 Michigan is very important. 620 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:39,300 And Biden himself 621 00:11:39,300 --> 00:11:40,500 coming to Detroit, where 622 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:41,200 Jill Biden 623 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:41,766 or Doug 624 00:11:41,766 --> 00:11:42,666 Emhoff are ending 625 00:11:42,666 --> 00:11:44,566 their statewide tour. 626 00:11:44,566 --> 00:11:45,033 You know, that's 627 00:11:45,366 --> 00:11:46,900 sort of the big push this week. 628 00:11:46,900 --> 00:11:47,800 It's nice to be up 629 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:48,433 in Marquette, 630 00:11:48,433 --> 00:11:49,766 in the Upper Peninsula. 631 00:11:49,766 --> 00:11:50,866 But Biden himself 632 00:11:50,866 --> 00:11:52,066 is making Detroit a priority 633 00:11:52,066 --> 00:11:53,466 for a very specific reason. 634 00:11:53,466 --> 00:11:54,500 Biden's coming to Michigan 635 00:11:54,500 --> 00:11:55,266 because he wants to win 636 00:11:55,266 --> 00:11:56,366 Michigan, certainly. 637 00:11:56,366 --> 00:11:57,400 But I also think this 638 00:11:57,400 --> 00:11:58,566 insulates him from, 639 00:11:58,566 --> 00:11:58,866 you know, 640 00:11:59,333 --> 00:12:00,966 we saw after the 2016 election 641 00:12:00,966 --> 00:12:02,033 the backlash 642 00:12:02,033 --> 00:12:03,066 against Hillary Clinton. 643 00:12:03,066 --> 00:12:04,100 She felt she 644 00:12:04,100 --> 00:12:04,866 people said she didn't 645 00:12:04,866 --> 00:12:05,800 spend enough time here. 646 00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:06,166 She didn't 647 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:07,500 put in enough ground game here. 648 00:12:07,500 --> 00:12:08,166 She didn't 649 00:12:08,166 --> 00:12:10,200 foresee the 11,000 vote 650 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:11,100 margin that would hand it 651 00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:11,733 to her opponent 652 00:12:11,733 --> 00:12:12,600 and ultimately hand him 653 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:13,600 the presidency. 654 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:14,533 You know, to some extent, 655 00:12:14,533 --> 00:12:16,466 this is a CYA operation. 656 00:12:16,466 --> 00:12:16,833 Well, 657 00:12:17,266 --> 00:12:18,066 some of the recent polling data 658 00:12:18,066 --> 00:12:18,700 shows that in 659 00:12:18,700 --> 00:12:20,100 Wisconsin, in Michigan, 660 00:12:20,100 --> 00:12:20,933 the race is a lot 661 00:12:20,933 --> 00:12:21,833 closer than it is 662 00:12:21,833 --> 00:12:23,500 in the other four swing states. 663 00:12:23,500 --> 00:12:24,866 So that's good news, 664 00:12:24,866 --> 00:12:26,300 you know, for the Biden folks, 665 00:12:26,300 --> 00:12:27,800 but they're not home free yet. 666 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:28,000 Yeah, 667 00:12:28,533 --> 00:12:29,133 I think if there's anything 668 00:12:29,133 --> 00:12:30,033 that can be elucidated 669 00:12:30,033 --> 00:12:30,833 from those numbers, 670 00:12:30,833 --> 00:12:31,866 you know, nearly six months out 671 00:12:31,866 --> 00:12:32,800 from the election, 672 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:33,200 it's that 673 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:34,000 there's a 674 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:35,066 somewhat of a gulf 675 00:12:35,066 --> 00:12:36,133 that we're seeing between 676 00:12:36,133 --> 00:12:37,266 registered voters 677 00:12:37,266 --> 00:12:38,266 and likely voters. 678 00:12:38,266 --> 00:12:39,200 And among likely voters, 679 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:40,333 this gap is a lot shorter. 680 00:12:40,333 --> 00:12:41,066 But in that 681 00:12:41,066 --> 00:12:42,066 recent New York Times poll, 682 00:12:42,066 --> 00:12:43,766 that Gulf is considerably wider 683 00:12:43,766 --> 00:12:45,233 among registered voters. 684 00:12:45,233 --> 00:12:45,833 And so 685 00:12:45,833 --> 00:12:46,266 I think that 686 00:12:46,533 --> 00:12:47,733 this really sort of shows 687 00:12:47,733 --> 00:12:48,700 how much is going to come down 688 00:12:48,700 --> 00:12:49,833 to voter enthusiasm 689 00:12:49,833 --> 00:12:50,600 and voter turnout. 690 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:51,100 And I think that 691 00:12:51,300 --> 00:12:52,066 the amount of appearances 692 00:12:52,066 --> 00:12:52,500 that you're having 693 00:12:52,866 --> 00:12:54,200 from the Biden campaign really, 694 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:54,866 they want to underscore 695 00:12:54,866 --> 00:12:55,466 that they're taking 696 00:12:55,466 --> 00:12:56,300 nothing for granted 697 00:12:56,300 --> 00:12:58,033 and how much they care about, 698 00:12:58,033 --> 00:12:58,600 you know, 699 00:12:58,600 --> 00:12:59,600 getting that turnout 700 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:00,533 machine running. 701 00:13:00,533 --> 00:13:01,166 And to be clear, 702 00:13:01,166 --> 00:13:02,033 I don't think they are. 703 00:13:02,033 --> 00:13:03,400 I mean, going into the U.P., 704 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:04,266 how often do we see 705 00:13:04,266 --> 00:13:05,233 national candidates 706 00:13:05,233 --> 00:13:06,733 campaigning in the U.P.? 707 00:13:06,733 --> 00:13:08,166 How often do we see, 708 00:13:08,166 --> 00:13:09,033 you know, Biden 709 00:13:09,033 --> 00:13:11,166 coming into this giant dinner? 710 00:13:11,166 --> 00:13:12,833 I think he's certainly looking 711 00:13:12,833 --> 00:13:13,266 to shore up 712 00:13:13,533 --> 00:13:14,433 the African American vote. 713 00:13:14,433 --> 00:13:15,566 I really think that, 714 00:13:15,566 --> 00:13:15,833 you know, 715 00:13:16,100 --> 00:13:16,333 they're making a 716 00:13:16,666 --> 00:13:17,366 concentrated play 717 00:13:17,366 --> 00:13:18,766 and they're really executing 718 00:13:18,766 --> 00:13:20,366 a strategy to try to win here. 719 00:13:20,366 --> 00:13:21,633 I think talking about strategy, 720 00:13:21,633 --> 00:13:22,766 let's call in our guest today, 721 00:13:22,766 --> 00:13:24,166 the superintendent of the LAnse 722 00:13:24,166 --> 00:13:27,600 Creuse down in McComb County. 723 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:28,433 Erik, good morning. 724 00:13:28,433 --> 00:13:29,633 Welcome to the record, sir. 725 00:13:29,633 --> 00:13:30,766 Nice to see you. 726 00:13:30,766 --> 00:13:31,033 All right. 727 00:13:31,533 --> 00:13:32,533 So you heard our conversation. 728 00:13:32,533 --> 00:13:33,233 Are we making, 729 00:13:33,233 --> 00:13:35,633 too much of this dispute? 730 00:13:35,633 --> 00:13:36,233 Do you think this is 731 00:13:36,233 --> 00:13:37,133 just a 732 00:13:37,133 --> 00:13:38,000 gentlemen and gentle 733 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:38,966 ladies disagreement 734 00:13:38,966 --> 00:13:41,200 on how to fund schools? 735 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:42,733 Yes, I think this is all part 736 00:13:42,733 --> 00:13:44,333 of the normal budget process 737 00:13:44,333 --> 00:13:46,466 that occurs every year. 738 00:13:46,466 --> 00:13:47,866 And always 739 00:13:47,866 --> 00:13:48,800 the executive budget 740 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:49,600 comes first. 741 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:50,866 And it's a great budget. 742 00:13:50,866 --> 00:13:52,266 It's the governor 743 00:13:52,266 --> 00:13:53,566 has been a very strong 744 00:13:53,566 --> 00:13:55,966 supporter of public education 745 00:13:55,966 --> 00:13:58,166 and gotten us 746 00:13:58,166 --> 00:13:59,466 great budgets over the past 747 00:13:59,466 --> 00:14:01,400 several years. 748 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:02,333 But I think this is 749 00:14:02,333 --> 00:14:04,233 just an opportunity 750 00:14:04,233 --> 00:14:05,366 and kind of a promise 751 00:14:05,366 --> 00:14:06,233 that was made to us 752 00:14:06,233 --> 00:14:07,100 many years ago 753 00:14:07,100 --> 00:14:08,000 that when certain 754 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,233 financial conditions were met, 755 00:14:10,233 --> 00:14:12,133 that we would benefit 756 00:14:12,133 --> 00:14:13,933 from the overpayments 757 00:14:13,933 --> 00:14:14,866 we have been making 758 00:14:14,866 --> 00:14:16,200 into the system 759 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:17,266 because the funding 760 00:14:17,266 --> 00:14:18,733 has reached a level 761 00:14:18,733 --> 00:14:19,566 at which 762 00:14:19,566 --> 00:14:21,000 there's solvency 763 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:22,666 and it's over 100% funded. 764 00:14:22,666 --> 00:14:24,566 So I think that 765 00:14:24,566 --> 00:14:25,800 all three of the budgets 766 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:26,666 are very strong 767 00:14:26,666 --> 00:14:28,133 and they have been strong 768 00:14:28,133 --> 00:14:28,666 and now it's 769 00:14:28,666 --> 00:14:30,300 just a matter of 770 00:14:30,300 --> 00:14:31,966 kind of delineating priorities. 771 00:14:31,966 --> 00:14:32,333 And I think 772 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:33,766 the conference process 773 00:14:33,766 --> 00:14:34,700 is fairly 774 00:14:34,700 --> 00:14:35,766 standard at this point. 775 00:14:35,766 --> 00:14:37,333 But this really isn't 776 00:14:37,333 --> 00:14:38,600 just about this year for us. 777 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:39,266 I don't see this 778 00:14:39,266 --> 00:14:40,666 as a single year issue. 779 00:14:40,666 --> 00:14:42,733 This really started in 2012 780 00:14:42,733 --> 00:14:43,666 with Governor Snyder 781 00:14:43,666 --> 00:14:46,266 when he enacted the plan 782 00:14:46,266 --> 00:14:48,533 in order to create stability 783 00:14:48,533 --> 00:14:49,833 in both the pension 784 00:14:49,833 --> 00:14:51,200 and the OPEB. 785 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:51,900 And now that we've 786 00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:52,600 achieved that, 787 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:53,566 I just see this 788 00:14:53,566 --> 00:14:54,133 as a really 789 00:14:54,133 --> 00:14:55,133 historic opportunity 790 00:14:55,133 --> 00:14:56,133 for schools. Yes. 791 00:14:56,133 --> 00:14:57,200 But at the end of the day, 792 00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:58,200 let's be honest here. 793 00:14:58,200 --> 00:14:59,433 The governor has one plan 794 00:14:59,433 --> 00:15:00,266 and you have another. 795 00:15:00,266 --> 00:15:01,500 That is a disagreement, 796 00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:02,600 is it not? 797 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:03,333 Well, right. 798 00:15:03,333 --> 00:15:03,700 I mean, 799 00:15:04,033 --> 00:15:06,000 but I think those types of 800 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,200 differences are common 801 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:10,733 even in years when there isn't. 802 00:15:10,733 --> 00:15:11,233 I guess, 803 00:15:11,233 --> 00:15:12,466 this substance 804 00:15:12,466 --> 00:15:14,333 of an issue on the table. 805 00:15:14,333 --> 00:15:14,966 So I think that, 806 00:15:14,966 --> 00:15:15,733 you know, the House 807 00:15:15,733 --> 00:15:17,633 and the Senate have frequently 808 00:15:17,633 --> 00:15:18,533 and the executive 809 00:15:18,533 --> 00:15:19,266 had frequently 810 00:15:19,266 --> 00:15:20,033 had different 811 00:15:20,033 --> 00:15:21,266 budget priorities. 812 00:15:21,266 --> 00:15:23,733 And years past, even under 813 00:15:23,733 --> 00:15:24,800 Democratic control 814 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:25,800 or divided control 815 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:27,366 previously to that. 816 00:15:27,366 --> 00:15:29,466 So I think that this is a 817 00:15:29,466 --> 00:15:30,633 this is a conversation. 818 00:15:30,633 --> 00:15:31,800 This is one where we agree 819 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:33,300 on many, many points. 820 00:15:33,300 --> 00:15:34,633 I think the governor was right 821 00:15:34,633 --> 00:15:36,133 to raise the issue 822 00:15:36,133 --> 00:15:37,600 in her budget 823 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:39,366 back in January 824 00:15:39,366 --> 00:15:41,300 when she released in February 825 00:15:41,300 --> 00:15:42,400 that when the over 826 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:43,233 funding of OPEB 827 00:15:43,233 --> 00:15:44,366 occurred, that 828 00:15:44,366 --> 00:15:45,733 seeing some action on 829 00:15:45,733 --> 00:15:47,133 that makes sense. 830 00:15:47,133 --> 00:15:48,966 And I see this 831 00:15:48,966 --> 00:15:49,633 there's sort of three 832 00:15:49,633 --> 00:15:50,533 legs to the stool 833 00:15:50,533 --> 00:15:52,100 as as you've inferred 834 00:15:52,100 --> 00:15:53,000 and I think that there's 835 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:54,400 a benefit to employees 836 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:55,800 there is possible here too 837 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,566 that they've been paying 3% 838 00:15:58,566 --> 00:16:00,166 of their salaries of those 839 00:16:00,166 --> 00:16:01,700 in the traditional system. 840 00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:02,966 And I think there's a 841 00:16:02,966 --> 00:16:03,433 the promise 842 00:16:03,633 --> 00:16:04,566 was made to them as well 843 00:16:04,566 --> 00:16:06,033 back at that time 844 00:16:06,033 --> 00:16:07,600 that once the funding occurred 845 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:09,533 at a level of over 846 00:16:09,533 --> 00:16:11,066 much more than 100%, 847 00:16:11,066 --> 00:16:12,033 that they would benefit 848 00:16:12,033 --> 00:16:12,700 from not having 849 00:16:12,700 --> 00:16:14,333 to pay into it as well. 850 00:16:14,333 --> 00:16:15,400 You know, one of the things 851 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:17,066 that I sort of see 852 00:16:17,066 --> 00:16:18,033 at the end of this 853 00:16:18,033 --> 00:16:19,733 argument is how flexible 854 00:16:19,733 --> 00:16:20,366 the funding 855 00:16:20,366 --> 00:16:22,166 you get ultimately is. 856 00:16:22,166 --> 00:16:22,666 You know, 857 00:16:22,666 --> 00:16:23,500 obviously 858 00:16:23,500 --> 00:16:24,133 the governor has 859 00:16:24,133 --> 00:16:24,766 some priorities 860 00:16:24,766 --> 00:16:26,300 she'd like to fund. 861 00:16:26,300 --> 00:16:26,933 I'm sure you have 862 00:16:26,933 --> 00:16:27,933 your own priorities. 863 00:16:27,933 --> 00:16:30,000 So what kind of flexibility? 864 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:30,700 How do you benefit 865 00:16:30,700 --> 00:16:31,666 from the flexibility 866 00:16:31,666 --> 00:16:33,033 that you're proposing? 867 00:16:33,033 --> 00:16:33,800 Sure. 868 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:34,500 I think 869 00:16:34,500 --> 00:16:35,633 I think the more flexible 870 00:16:35,633 --> 00:16:36,600 dollars are, 871 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:38,133 the more we can 872 00:16:38,133 --> 00:16:39,566 operationalize them 873 00:16:39,566 --> 00:16:40,800 based on individual needs. 874 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:42,233 Of course, 875 00:16:42,233 --> 00:16:42,500 you know, 876 00:16:42,833 --> 00:16:43,333 I think a lot of this 877 00:16:43,333 --> 00:16:43,866 has to do with 878 00:16:43,866 --> 00:16:44,566 what you also 879 00:16:44,566 --> 00:16:46,033 talked about before is 880 00:16:46,033 --> 00:16:48,466 we really were very, 881 00:16:48,466 --> 00:16:50,333 very proactive with us. 882 00:16:50,333 --> 00:16:50,900 Our dollars 883 00:16:50,900 --> 00:16:51,533 with dollars 884 00:16:51,533 --> 00:16:52,500 that came out of COVID 885 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:54,466 and really focused on student 886 00:16:54,466 --> 00:16:55,666 needs, on mental health 887 00:16:55,666 --> 00:16:56,900 needs, on student 888 00:16:56,900 --> 00:16:57,933 support needs. 889 00:16:57,933 --> 00:16:59,200 And those programs 890 00:16:59,200 --> 00:16:59,866 are just starting 891 00:16:59,866 --> 00:17:01,033 to gain traction. 892 00:17:01,033 --> 00:17:03,666 And we have no expectation 893 00:17:03,666 --> 00:17:04,400 that the dollars 894 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:05,266 that we're funding them 895 00:17:05,266 --> 00:17:07,666 with now and in years past 896 00:17:07,666 --> 00:17:09,066 are going to continue. 897 00:17:09,066 --> 00:17:11,633 So I see this as opportunity 898 00:17:11,633 --> 00:17:13,666 to continue those programs 899 00:17:13,666 --> 00:17:14,433 in a way 900 00:17:14,433 --> 00:17:15,833 that they're just needed. 901 00:17:15,833 --> 00:17:17,700 I know the money was one time 902 00:17:17,700 --> 00:17:18,433 we knew it was 903 00:17:18,433 --> 00:17:19,400 going to be one time money. 904 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:21,266 There's no question about that. 905 00:17:21,266 --> 00:17:24,700 But we all had to take a leap 906 00:17:24,700 --> 00:17:26,000 of faith on the fact 907 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:27,666 that we needed these programs 908 00:17:27,666 --> 00:17:28,266 for kids. 909 00:17:28,266 --> 00:17:28,966 And kids 910 00:17:28,966 --> 00:17:30,633 desperately needed support 911 00:17:30,633 --> 00:17:32,300 coming out of the pandemic. 912 00:17:32,300 --> 00:17:34,433 So I think that any opportunity 913 00:17:34,433 --> 00:17:36,066 of flexibility of funds, 914 00:17:36,066 --> 00:17:37,633 this is one source. 915 00:17:37,633 --> 00:17:38,466 There are others. 916 00:17:38,466 --> 00:17:39,133 The foundation 917 00:17:39,133 --> 00:17:40,533 grant is another. 918 00:17:40,533 --> 00:17:41,966 All of those sources need to be 919 00:17:41,966 --> 00:17:43,600 looked at to address 920 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:44,300 shortfalls 921 00:17:44,300 --> 00:17:45,333 that are going to occur 922 00:17:45,333 --> 00:17:46,500 and are occurring because of 923 00:17:46,500 --> 00:17:48,766 the loss of ESSER dollars. 924 00:17:48,766 --> 00:17:50,266 You know. 925 00:17:50,266 --> 00:17:51,566 While this was an opportunity 926 00:17:51,566 --> 00:17:52,300 made available to you 927 00:17:52,300 --> 00:17:53,433 because of these overpayments 928 00:17:53,433 --> 00:17:54,233 in the past, 929 00:17:54,233 --> 00:17:55,533 this additional flexibility 930 00:17:55,533 --> 00:17:56,833 in spending, 931 00:17:56,833 --> 00:17:58,133 clearly it's not an opportunity 932 00:17:58,133 --> 00:17:59,300 that can go into the future 933 00:17:59,300 --> 00:18:00,166 perpetually. 934 00:18:00,166 --> 00:18:01,600 Do you want to see a long term 935 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:02,400 structural change 936 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:03,900 that can make 937 00:18:03,900 --> 00:18:05,400 more sustainable differences 938 00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:05,766 in terms of 939 00:18:06,133 --> 00:18:08,233 how the funding is allocated? 940 00:18:08,233 --> 00:18:09,233 Sure, of course. 941 00:18:09,233 --> 00:18:10,100 I mean, I think 942 00:18:10,100 --> 00:18:13,900 I think that it is 943 00:18:13,900 --> 00:18:15,433 should be looked at in terms of 944 00:18:15,433 --> 00:18:16,033 if it's over 945 00:18:16,033 --> 00:18:18,300 100% funded on a year 946 00:18:18,300 --> 00:18:19,533 by year basis, 947 00:18:19,533 --> 00:18:21,766 then the benefit should occur 948 00:18:21,766 --> 00:18:22,533 to the parties 949 00:18:22,533 --> 00:18:23,400 that were making 950 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:24,966 the overpayments. 951 00:18:24,966 --> 00:18:25,700 So I you know, 952 00:18:25,700 --> 00:18:26,633 I think we agree 953 00:18:26,633 --> 00:18:28,233 with Senator 954 00:18:28,233 --> 00:18:30,666 Albert's plan overall, 955 00:18:30,666 --> 00:18:32,000 looking at the 2038 956 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:32,666 deadline 957 00:18:32,666 --> 00:18:34,133 of paying off the system 958 00:18:34,133 --> 00:18:35,800 of following the plan 959 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:36,700 as it was enacted 960 00:18:36,700 --> 00:18:37,833 for both the pension sign 961 00:18:37,833 --> 00:18:39,166 and the OPEB sign 962 00:18:39,166 --> 00:18:40,000 side of it. 963 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,166 And the OPEB, 964 00:18:42,166 --> 00:18:43,833 according to the numbers 965 00:18:43,833 --> 00:18:45,400 that exist today, 966 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:46,766 will remain 967 00:18:46,766 --> 00:18:47,233 funded 968 00:18:47,233 --> 00:18:48,266 at above 100% 969 00:18:48,266 --> 00:18:49,300 through the duration 970 00:18:49,300 --> 00:18:50,933 of the payoff period. 971 00:18:50,933 --> 00:18:52,333 And if that remains the case, 972 00:18:52,333 --> 00:18:53,100 then I think that 973 00:18:53,100 --> 00:18:54,400 the normal cost 974 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:55,300 should be the payment 975 00:18:55,300 --> 00:18:56,266 that districts make. 976 00:18:56,266 --> 00:18:57,333 We are still making normal 977 00:18:57,333 --> 00:18:58,133 cost payments. 978 00:18:58,133 --> 00:19:00,200 We're making the 100% payments. 979 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:02,333 And if that ever were to be 980 00:19:02,333 --> 00:19:04,333 sink below that 100% again, 981 00:19:04,333 --> 00:19:06,633 then we should pay 982 00:19:06,633 --> 00:19:08,600 to make it go over 100%. 983 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:09,466 But I don't 984 00:19:09,466 --> 00:19:11,833 I don't think that's forecast. 985 00:19:11,833 --> 00:19:12,466 And I think this 986 00:19:12,466 --> 00:19:13,733 is a sustainable model 987 00:19:13,733 --> 00:19:16,333 through the payoff period. 988 00:19:16,333 --> 00:19:16,566 Erik, 989 00:19:17,033 --> 00:19:17,366 there's been a lot of talk 990 00:19:17,566 --> 00:19:18,233 about this idea 991 00:19:18,233 --> 00:19:19,733 of a COVID cliff, right? 992 00:19:19,733 --> 00:19:21,466 All these extra federal dollars 993 00:19:21,466 --> 00:19:22,633 are running out. 994 00:19:22,633 --> 00:19:23,633 Some of that money came 995 00:19:23,633 --> 00:19:24,333 through the state 996 00:19:24,333 --> 00:19:25,733 that's running out. 997 00:19:25,733 --> 00:19:28,066 How real of a cliff is that? 998 00:19:28,066 --> 00:19:28,666 Are you guys 999 00:19:28,666 --> 00:19:30,166 staring at a cliff? 1000 00:19:30,166 --> 00:19:32,866 Our districts around the state 1001 00:19:32,866 --> 00:19:34,400 and is that cliff this summer 1002 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:35,600 as the budgeting process 1003 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:37,066 occurs? 1004 00:19:37,066 --> 00:19:38,233 Yes, I think for some, 1005 00:19:38,233 --> 00:19:39,466 unfortunately, it's a cliff. 1006 00:19:39,466 --> 00:19:41,300 And for others it's a 1007 00:19:41,300 --> 00:19:43,366 it's a it's a hill. 1008 00:19:43,366 --> 00:19:44,066 It's a hill 1009 00:19:44,066 --> 00:19:46,366 that is is somewhat steep 1010 00:19:46,366 --> 00:19:47,400 or somewhat 1011 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:48,700 not or somewhat slow. 1012 00:19:48,700 --> 00:19:50,633 But in all cases, 1013 00:19:50,633 --> 00:19:52,566 there is a shortfall 1014 00:19:52,566 --> 00:19:55,033 of positions that were funded 1015 00:19:55,033 --> 00:19:57,400 or programs that were funded 1016 00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:58,566 with those dollars. 1017 00:19:58,566 --> 00:19:59,666 And decisions 1018 00:19:59,666 --> 00:20:00,600 have to be made 1019 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:04,233 as to how to continue them, 1020 00:20:04,233 --> 00:20:05,400 maybe pull them back 1021 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:06,333 or slow them down 1022 00:20:06,333 --> 00:20:07,433 or discontinue them. 1023 00:20:07,433 --> 00:20:08,633 And all of those are 1024 00:20:08,633 --> 00:20:10,566 challenging decisions. 1025 00:20:10,566 --> 00:20:12,200 When you know 1026 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:14,066 they have only been enacted for 1027 00:20:14,066 --> 00:20:15,566 1 to 3 years. 1028 00:20:15,566 --> 00:20:16,466 And of course, you don't know 1029 00:20:16,466 --> 00:20:17,366 how the state budget 1030 00:20:17,366 --> 00:20:18,400 is going to be resolved 1031 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:19,100 yet, Right. 1032 00:20:19,100 --> 00:20:20,200 So I'm sure that complicates 1033 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:20,866 things. 1034 00:20:20,866 --> 00:20:21,966 Just talk a little bit 1035 00:20:21,966 --> 00:20:22,266 about, though, 1036 00:20:22,533 --> 00:20:23,066 the mental health 1037 00:20:23,066 --> 00:20:23,400 side of things. 1038 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:24,500 You said you guys have made 1039 00:20:24,500 --> 00:20:25,700 a concerted effort there. 1040 00:20:25,700 --> 00:20:26,900 Some of those positions 1041 00:20:26,900 --> 00:20:27,900 I assume you hired 1042 00:20:27,900 --> 00:20:29,033 were with this money 1043 00:20:29,033 --> 00:20:29,833 that came 1044 00:20:29,833 --> 00:20:30,500 from the feds 1045 00:20:30,500 --> 00:20:31,733 through the state, paid 1046 00:20:31,733 --> 00:20:33,566 part of the salary. 1047 00:20:33,566 --> 00:20:34,566 What did you do 1048 00:20:34,566 --> 00:20:35,466 and what are you going 1049 00:20:35,466 --> 00:20:36,566 to have to do now 1050 00:20:36,566 --> 00:20:37,633 in terms of 1051 00:20:37,633 --> 00:20:39,666 counselors and psychologists 1052 00:20:39,666 --> 00:20:40,166 and mental health 1053 00:20:40,166 --> 00:20:41,366 professionals? 1054 00:20:41,366 --> 00:20:41,700 Yes. 1055 00:20:42,166 --> 00:20:43,900 First of all, I think I want to 1056 00:20:43,900 --> 00:20:45,633 I want to wrap around 1057 00:20:45,633 --> 00:20:46,400 the issue 1058 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:48,700 of the OPEB overpayment 1059 00:20:48,700 --> 00:20:50,866 and the additional UAL payments 1060 00:20:50,866 --> 00:20:51,866 we make that 1061 00:20:51,866 --> 00:20:53,100 we are committed to doing 1062 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:54,166 and have been 1063 00:20:54,166 --> 00:20:55,500 into sort of a tax 1064 00:20:55,500 --> 00:20:56,366 that we have to pay 1065 00:20:56,366 --> 00:20:57,400 on these types 1066 00:20:57,400 --> 00:20:59,100 of of all employees. 1067 00:20:59,100 --> 00:20:59,366 You know, 1068 00:20:59,733 --> 00:21:01,200 it's really a 21% tax. 1069 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:01,800 We pay over 1070 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:02,733 and above the salary 1071 00:21:02,733 --> 00:21:03,700 of all of our employees, 1072 00:21:03,700 --> 00:21:05,533 which makes a very tight labor 1073 00:21:05,533 --> 00:21:07,100 market for us 1074 00:21:07,100 --> 00:21:08,300 even more challenging 1075 00:21:08,300 --> 00:21:09,400 and competitive. 1076 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:10,100 You know, we're trying 1077 00:21:10,100 --> 00:21:10,800 to be competitive 1078 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:11,866 with these types 1079 00:21:11,866 --> 00:21:13,200 of mental health professionals 1080 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:14,933 who do have 1081 00:21:14,933 --> 00:21:16,400 more transitional skills 1082 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:17,566 outside of education. 1083 00:21:17,566 --> 00:21:18,566 Unlike teachers 1084 00:21:18,566 --> 00:21:19,333 and other 1085 00:21:19,333 --> 00:21:20,766 more traditional practitioners 1086 00:21:20,766 --> 00:21:21,933 in education. 1087 00:21:21,933 --> 00:21:22,566 So, you know, it's 1088 00:21:22,566 --> 00:21:23,333 very challenging 1089 00:21:23,333 --> 00:21:24,266 with these extra fees 1090 00:21:24,266 --> 00:21:25,566 that we have to pay 1091 00:21:25,566 --> 00:21:26,833 statutorily 1092 00:21:26,833 --> 00:21:28,333 on top of their salaries. 1093 00:21:28,333 --> 00:21:29,033 And I'll just say 1094 00:21:29,033 --> 00:21:30,433 on the student support side, 1095 00:21:30,433 --> 00:21:31,166 these positions 1096 00:21:31,166 --> 00:21:31,766 have been vital. 1097 00:21:31,966 --> 00:21:33,400 We made a very early commitment 1098 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:35,066 and we did use the money 1099 00:21:35,066 --> 00:21:35,966 that is now down 1100 00:21:35,966 --> 00:21:39,066 to 0% reimbursement of salaries 1101 00:21:39,066 --> 00:21:39,966 to add 1102 00:21:39,966 --> 00:21:42,166 social workers, counselors. 1103 00:21:42,166 --> 00:21:43,166 We added some other 1104 00:21:43,166 --> 00:21:44,266 behavioral support 1105 00:21:44,266 --> 00:21:46,066 specialists to all to 1106 00:21:46,066 --> 00:21:48,333 our elementary schools as well, 1107 00:21:48,333 --> 00:21:49,166 all in order 1108 00:21:49,166 --> 00:21:51,433 to try to keep Tier one 1109 00:21:51,433 --> 00:21:52,633 classroom teaching 1110 00:21:52,633 --> 00:21:54,400 moving forward 1111 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:55,600 while we support kids 1112 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:57,566 that need additional help. 1113 00:21:57,566 --> 00:21:58,666 And so we're just committed 1114 00:21:58,666 --> 00:21:59,833 to continuing that, 1115 00:21:59,833 --> 00:22:01,900 even though the funding is not 1116 00:22:01,900 --> 00:22:03,166 going to be there 1117 00:22:03,166 --> 00:22:04,000 from that source, 1118 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:04,900 which is why we're looking 1119 00:22:04,900 --> 00:22:05,800 for other sources 1120 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:06,800 to continue those 1121 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:08,333 those positions. 1122 00:22:08,333 --> 00:22:09,433 You're you're lobbying 1123 00:22:09,433 --> 00:22:10,300 of the legislature, 1124 00:22:10,300 --> 00:22:11,700 particularly in the House, 1125 00:22:11,700 --> 00:22:12,866 to be in an election year 1126 00:22:12,866 --> 00:22:13,533 for them. 1127 00:22:13,533 --> 00:22:15,033 Do you play that card 1128 00:22:15,033 --> 00:22:16,066 in a subtle way 1129 00:22:16,066 --> 00:22:16,833 or a direct way 1130 00:22:16,833 --> 00:22:17,633 to basically say, 1131 00:22:17,633 --> 00:22:18,400 you know what, 1132 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:19,733 if you'd like to get reelected 1133 00:22:19,733 --> 00:22:20,866 and you'd like our help, 1134 00:22:20,866 --> 00:22:22,766 we need a vote? 1135 00:22:22,766 --> 00:22:23,900 Well, I don't 1136 00:22:23,900 --> 00:22:25,066 know if it's that direct. 1137 00:22:25,066 --> 00:22:26,666 I think that it is. 1138 00:22:26,666 --> 00:22:28,366 I think that there is a lot of 1139 00:22:28,366 --> 00:22:29,833 actually there's a lot of 1140 00:22:29,833 --> 00:22:31,333 and there's a 1141 00:22:31,333 --> 00:22:32,233 kind of cohesiveness 1142 00:22:32,233 --> 00:22:33,466 in the end goal here. 1143 00:22:33,466 --> 00:22:34,733 The end goal is 1144 00:22:34,733 --> 00:22:36,066 we need to 1145 00:22:36,066 --> 00:22:38,466 focus on teaching and learning. 1146 00:22:38,466 --> 00:22:40,233 We need to focus on 1147 00:22:40,233 --> 00:22:41,533 core practices 1148 00:22:41,533 --> 00:22:42,300 in our classrooms. 1149 00:22:42,300 --> 00:22:42,900 But there are a 1150 00:22:42,900 --> 00:22:43,966 lot of distractions 1151 00:22:43,966 --> 00:22:45,533 that exist in schools 1152 00:22:45,533 --> 00:22:46,433 and a lot of 1153 00:22:46,433 --> 00:22:48,333 political distractions as well. 1154 00:22:48,333 --> 00:22:49,700 That we need 1155 00:22:49,700 --> 00:22:50,766 additional support 1156 00:22:50,766 --> 00:22:51,500 to make sure 1157 00:22:51,500 --> 00:22:52,433 that our core mission 1158 00:22:52,433 --> 00:22:53,933 can be completed. 1159 00:22:53,933 --> 00:22:54,900 And I think, 1160 00:22:54,900 --> 00:22:55,766 with all due respect, 1161 00:22:55,766 --> 00:22:56,333 by the same 1162 00:22:56,333 --> 00:22:57,100 token, the people 1163 00:22:57,100 --> 00:22:58,166 on the other side of the table 1164 00:22:58,166 --> 00:22:59,233 need to get reelected. 1165 00:22:59,233 --> 00:23:01,633 You can help them. 1166 00:23:01,633 --> 00:23:02,366 Right? 1167 00:23:02,366 --> 00:23:02,866 You know, 1168 00:23:03,100 --> 00:23:04,466 I'll be honest with you, I, 1169 00:23:04,466 --> 00:23:06,133 I personally have worked 1170 00:23:06,133 --> 00:23:06,733 very hard 1171 00:23:06,733 --> 00:23:07,633 to depoliticize 1172 00:23:07,633 --> 00:23:09,233 our schools, both externally 1173 00:23:09,233 --> 00:23:10,766 and internally 1174 00:23:10,766 --> 00:23:12,733 through the entire pre-COVID, 1175 00:23:12,733 --> 00:23:14,633 during COVID and post-COVID. 1176 00:23:14,633 --> 00:23:15,333 And I am 1177 00:23:15,333 --> 00:23:16,433 I am for anyone 1178 00:23:16,433 --> 00:23:17,266 who is 1179 00:23:17,266 --> 00:23:18,666 supporting the mission 1180 00:23:18,666 --> 00:23:19,533 of public schools. 1181 00:23:19,533 --> 00:23:20,433 And I really think 1182 00:23:20,433 --> 00:23:21,500 that they should be 1183 00:23:21,500 --> 00:23:23,633 as depoliticized as possible. 1184 00:23:23,633 --> 00:23:24,833 And we've seen that, too. 1185 00:23:24,833 --> 00:23:25,500 We've seen that 1186 00:23:25,500 --> 00:23:26,433 we've seen support 1187 00:23:26,433 --> 00:23:30,366 from a variety of individuals 1188 00:23:30,366 --> 00:23:31,333 within our county, 1189 00:23:31,333 --> 00:23:33,833 within our K-12 alliance. 1190 00:23:33,833 --> 00:23:35,366 As far as Republicans 1191 00:23:35,366 --> 00:23:36,133 and Democrats 1192 00:23:36,133 --> 00:23:36,633 who are 1193 00:23:36,866 --> 00:23:37,966 supportive of public schools. 1194 00:23:37,966 --> 00:23:38,900 And those are candidates 1195 00:23:38,900 --> 00:23:41,300 that we're supportive of. 1196 00:23:41,300 --> 00:23:42,600 In terms of the funding 1197 00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:44,033 that we discussed earlier 1198 00:23:44,033 --> 00:23:44,700 or the Hill, 1199 00:23:44,700 --> 00:23:46,533 as you described, that, 1200 00:23:46,533 --> 00:23:46,833 you know, 1201 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:48,933 how much danger is there 1202 00:23:48,933 --> 00:23:50,200 to you and your school board 1203 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:51,166 that you get blowback 1204 00:23:51,166 --> 00:23:52,133 from the community 1205 00:23:52,133 --> 00:23:52,566 who didn't 1206 00:23:52,766 --> 00:23:53,833 necessarily understand 1207 00:23:53,833 --> 00:23:54,666 that this was 1208 00:23:54,666 --> 00:23:56,066 one time funding or funding 1209 00:23:56,066 --> 00:23:57,733 that wouldn't be available, 1210 00:23:57,733 --> 00:23:58,466 that bolstering 1211 00:23:58,466 --> 00:23:59,200 some of the programs 1212 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:01,033 you're proud of? 1213 00:24:01,033 --> 00:24:04,400 Certainly, I think that that is 1214 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:05,900 it's not just perception, it's 1215 00:24:05,900 --> 00:24:07,500 actual service to students. 1216 00:24:07,500 --> 00:24:08,566 And I think that that's 1217 00:24:08,566 --> 00:24:11,500 the more critical piece that 1218 00:24:11,500 --> 00:24:12,133 we you know, 1219 00:24:12,133 --> 00:24:13,100 every time you add 1220 00:24:13,100 --> 00:24:14,333 something into a system, 1221 00:24:14,333 --> 00:24:16,433 people become reliant on that 1222 00:24:16,433 --> 00:24:17,266 and it becomes 1223 00:24:17,266 --> 00:24:18,300 part of the normal 1224 00:24:18,300 --> 00:24:20,266 operation of the system. 1225 00:24:20,266 --> 00:24:22,000 So I think it's both to 1226 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:23,733 parents expectations. 1227 00:24:23,733 --> 00:24:24,433 It's our own. 1228 00:24:24,433 --> 00:24:25,566 It's the rest of our staff's 1229 00:24:25,566 --> 00:24:26,733 expectations. 1230 00:24:26,733 --> 00:24:28,433 Teachers had really been asked 1231 00:24:28,433 --> 00:24:30,266 to do more and more and more, 1232 00:24:30,266 --> 00:24:31,000 and their jobs 1233 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:32,166 have become 1234 00:24:32,166 --> 00:24:33,133 objectively 1235 00:24:33,133 --> 00:24:34,166 and perceptively 1236 00:24:34,166 --> 00:24:35,333 more challenging. 1237 00:24:35,333 --> 00:24:36,666 And so all of these positions 1238 00:24:36,666 --> 00:24:38,633 are to assist our classroom 1239 00:24:38,633 --> 00:24:39,566 teachers as well 1240 00:24:39,566 --> 00:24:41,433 so they can focus on their job. 1241 00:24:41,433 --> 00:24:42,933 So I think it's expanded 1242 00:24:42,933 --> 00:24:44,233 beyond just parental 1243 00:24:44,233 --> 00:24:45,300 potential blowback. 1244 00:24:45,300 --> 00:24:47,200 It's it's it's issues 1245 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:49,700 within our own workforce 1246 00:24:49,700 --> 00:24:50,366 as well 1247 00:24:50,366 --> 00:24:51,133 that they are 1248 00:24:51,133 --> 00:24:51,900 they expect 1249 00:24:51,900 --> 00:24:53,166 and need these supports. 1250 00:24:53,166 --> 00:24:53,400 and need these supports. 1251 00:24:53,700 --> 00:24:54,366 Now, ultimately, 1252 00:24:54,366 --> 00:24:55,166 somebody can say to you, 1253 00:24:55,166 --> 00:24:56,000 look at you can raise 1254 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:57,100 all the revenue you want, 1255 00:24:57,100 --> 00:24:58,500 just go to a bonding proposal. 1256 00:24:58,500 --> 00:25:00,900 You don't need the lawmakers. 1257 00:25:00,900 --> 00:25:01,966 Well, I think that, 1258 00:25:01,966 --> 00:25:02,333 you know, 1259 00:25:02,333 --> 00:25:02,833 that's 1260 00:25:03,033 --> 00:25:04,200 unfortunately in Michigan 1261 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:06,166 since 1994, 1262 00:25:06,166 --> 00:25:06,833 we have this sort 1263 00:25:06,833 --> 00:25:08,066 of bifurcated system 1264 00:25:08,066 --> 00:25:09,866 where our general fund is 1265 00:25:09,866 --> 00:25:10,733 all that can be used 1266 00:25:10,733 --> 00:25:11,766 to support 1267 00:25:11,766 --> 00:25:12,566 salaries 1268 00:25:12,566 --> 00:25:14,066 and operational dollars 1269 00:25:14,066 --> 00:25:14,633 and bonding 1270 00:25:14,633 --> 00:25:16,633 can only be used for 1271 00:25:16,633 --> 00:25:18,700 capital costs and capital needs 1272 00:25:18,700 --> 00:25:20,400 and construction and whatnot. 1273 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:21,633 So, you know, 1274 00:25:21,633 --> 00:25:23,800 that's always been sort of the 1275 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:24,400 the double edged 1276 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:25,766 sword of proposal A 1277 00:25:25,766 --> 00:25:28,733 that it created the system that 1278 00:25:28,733 --> 00:25:29,800 that quite frankly, is 1279 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:31,033 is is very unique, 1280 00:25:31,033 --> 00:25:32,700 I'll say, in Michigan 1281 00:25:32,700 --> 00:25:35,366 compared to other states that, 1282 00:25:35,366 --> 00:25:35,833 you know, 1283 00:25:35,833 --> 00:25:36,400 we don't have 1284 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:37,100 the option of just 1285 00:25:37,100 --> 00:25:38,400 asking our local communities 1286 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:41,333 to support staff directly 1287 00:25:41,333 --> 00:25:42,333 or to support 1288 00:25:42,333 --> 00:25:43,900 certain positions directly. 1289 00:25:43,900 --> 00:25:45,333 And I think, you know, 1290 00:25:45,333 --> 00:25:46,300 I think that's 1291 00:25:46,300 --> 00:25:47,166 something long term 1292 00:25:47,166 --> 00:25:48,133 that needs to be looked at. 1293 00:25:48,133 --> 00:25:48,500 You know, 1294 00:25:48,866 --> 00:25:49,966 that's always talked about. 1295 00:25:49,966 --> 00:25:50,233 You know, 1296 00:25:50,533 --> 00:25:51,166 we always talk about 1297 00:25:51,166 --> 00:25:52,000 around the edges 1298 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:52,933 and around the fringes, 1299 00:25:52,933 --> 00:25:54,300 but that might be 1300 00:25:54,300 --> 00:25:55,133 the core issue 1301 00:25:55,133 --> 00:25:56,833 that we're really 1302 00:25:56,833 --> 00:25:58,566 need to address long term. 1303 00:25:58,566 --> 00:25:58,833 Mr. 1304 00:25:59,100 --> 00:25:59,633 Superintendent, 1305 00:25:59,633 --> 00:26:00,700 good to see you. 1306 00:26:00,700 --> 00:26:01,300 Best wishes 1307 00:26:01,300 --> 00:26:01,900 to all our friends 1308 00:26:01,900 --> 00:26:03,233 down in McComb County. 1309 00:26:03,233 --> 00:26:04,266 And we appreciate 1310 00:26:04,266 --> 00:26:05,533 your being on the program also, 1311 00:26:05,533 --> 00:26:06,633 our thanks to our panel 1312 00:26:06,633 --> 00:26:08,133 next week right here. 1313 00:26:08,133 --> 00:26:10,833 More off the record tune in. 1314 00:26:10,833 --> 00:26:11,866 Production of Off the 1315 00:26:11,866 --> 00:26:12,600 Record is made 1316 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:14,900 possible in part by Martin 1317 00:26:14,900 --> 00:26:16,233 Waymire, a full service 1318 00:26:16,233 --> 00:26:17,533 strategic communications 1319 00:26:17,533 --> 00:26:18,800 agency, partnering 1320 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:19,500 with clients 1321 00:26:19,500 --> 00:26:20,600 through public relations, 1322 00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:22,200 digital marketing and public 1323 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:23,566 policy engagement. 1324 00:26:23,566 --> 00:26:24,466 Learn more at 1325 00:26:24,466 --> 00:26:27,033 martinwaymire.com 1326 00:26:27,033 --> 00:26:28,200 For more off the record, 1327 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:30,700 visit wkar.org 1328 00:26:30,700 --> 00:26:31,333 Michigan public 1329 00:26:31,333 --> 00:26:32,366 television stations 1330 00:26:32,366 --> 00:26:33,066 have contributed 1331 00:26:33,066 --> 00:26:34,100 to the production costs 1332 00:26:34,100 --> 00:26:35,066 of off the record.