MEA Math 2 + 2 = 5

The MEA Voice recently featured Howell in an article about the evils of privatization. The article claimed that privatization costs more than we were spending before we privatized. Our district responded to the MEA claims in the local paper.

The MEA Voice article states the Howell district increased its overall maintenance bill by $359,231 during the 2007-2008 school year.


While you may find that figure quite surprising, it shouldn't be surprising to find out that the MEA is lying. Here is how they defend their article:

However, MEA spokeswoman Kerry Birmingham said the union's article gave a true representation by looking at the district's overall maintenance spending. She said the figures cited were reported by Howell Public Schools to the state.

"We have to look at the whole picture," Birmingham said. "They told the public this would save money. The fact that the district decided to build a high school that they can't afford doesn't change the fact that they are spending more on their operations than they were before privatization."

Um.... so we are to believe that comparing the entire maintenance budget to what we use to spend on custodians cleaning is an accurate represenation of the numbers? No wonder so many of our students can't do math. But this is just the usual MEA "ends justify the means" shenanigans.

Meanwhile, Howell school officials claim statistics will show custodial privatization allowed the district to save about $500,000 during the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Parrish said there were several one-time costs associated with the privatization during the prior academic year, including insurance extensions and pension packages the district provided its laid-off custodians.

At the MEA Bargaining conference last Winter, the MEA talked a lot about how important it was for all the unions to begin working closely together. Their brick wall around our schools is starting to crack as taxpayers and parents step up and ask good questions. To fortify that wall against privatization and transparency, they are circling the wagons.

Here is Jay McDowell, Howell Education Association Representative's, response:

"It is important that these numbers are made available," he said. "Taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent."

Transparency is important and crucial to ensuring fiscal responsibility. However, the MEA seems to only be in favor of transparency when they can spin the numbers. It is disingenuous of the MEA to lie about the numbers to further their agenda.

If you are frustrated by the MEA using Howell to bully other districts into not privatizing, please contact the MEA and let them know. You can contact Iris Salters, MEA President by phone at:517/332-6551 Ext. 5509 or via e-mail at: isalters@mea.org.