Getting Involved with our Goverment
As parents we have a daily impact on the lives of our children and school. As citizens and community members we have the responsibility to be aware of local, state, and national issues and policies that affect our children and community. It's difficult and time-consuming to be on top of every issue affecting education. This page is intended to provide you information and links to key government and national resources that will assist you in your efforts to stay informed. The web sites listed below also provide email and postal addresses for you to contact your government representatives.
Need a primer on how government works? The Michigan PTSA provides the following documents to explain the ins and outs of legislation. We have also included a contact sheet with mailing and email addresses of our representatives.
Legislative Alert - New House Bill Threatens FPS Funding
A new bill is threatening to once again cut funding to FPS. FPS funding was increased 0-2% over the last 5 years despite cost increases of 5% per year. This proposal would potentially cut another 2.3 million dollars from our annual allocation. FPS Board of Education recently passed a resolution opposing these cuts.
Why Do We Care?
Our school district has been cutting programs and services to meet the decreasing funding. 20(j) cuts could mean another $191 per pupil - elementary, middle, and high school - cut. We have already cut elementary language programs and guidance counselors. We have increased class sizes and laid off 75 teaching positions. Do we want more of this?
What Can We Do?
Contact House Speaker Andy Dillon and Governor Granholm and let them know you are opposed to this bill. We have compiled a sample Parent Letter to get you started. Please include your contact information and copy our State Representative Aldo Vagnozzi. Contact can be made by mail, e-mail or phone. You can also write a Letter to the Editor to the Observer and Farmington's new paper, The Farmington Press.
Information and Contacts
Local Government
Farmington Public Schools (FPS) - FPS serves 12,000+ students ranging in age from newborn to senior citizen living in Farmington, Farmington Hills, and a portion of West Bloomfield. About 100,000 residents live in this suburban area.
FPS Board of Education (BOE) - The Board of Education serves as a trustee for the Farmington Public School District. Board members express and represent the views of the community in matters affecting education. They set policy, approve educational goals and curriculum changes, and act on recommendations of the Superintendent of Schools.
Farmington Hills Government Overview
State Government
State of Michigan
Michigan Department of Education: The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) offers a comprehension parent guide on its web site. Click here to see the Parents and Family Resource directory. Be sure to check out the new School District Parent Involvement Plan document. The MDE home page is also a great source for education-related issues such as "No Child Left Behind" and school funding.
Gilda Jacobs - Michigan State Senator for the 14th District
Aldo Vagnozzi - Michigan State Representative for the 37th District
Education Bills for 2007/2008 (Select "Education" for the category.)
Federal Government
US Senator Carl Levin
US Senator Debbie Stabenow
Joe Knollenberg - US House of Representative - Michigan 9th District
US Department of Education
No Child Left Behind Legislation |
