Oakland Area Superintendents Team Up to Speak Out on School Reform

Three local school district superintendents spoke together Tuesday on WDET-FM's Craig Fahle Show against recent legislation currently in the Michigan House and Senate concerning public education.

Bloomfield Hills' Rob Glass, West Bloomfield's Gerald Hill, and Farmington's Sue Zurvalec joined Oakland Schools Superintendent Vickie Markavitch to continue their protest against House Bill 6004, Senate Bill 1358 and House Bill 5923, which could still pass through the "lame duck" session of the state legislature.

The on-air spot came a day after with a coalition of school and community leaders from around the state.

Local school districts may not unite on such a message very often, but together with the other area superintendents in the Tri-County Alliance for Public Education, a swift campaign has been launched against the legislation, which they say is wrong for Michigan.

It's a message which was supported by Fahle and several callers to the 101.9 show. Listen to a replay on wdet.org or download the podcast from the iTunes store.

On Monday, Fahle spoke with Bill Rustem, Gov. Rick Snyder’s Director of Strategy, who discussed why the bills are needed to help students in failing schools across the state. 

Listen to a replay on wdet.org or download the podcast from the iTunes store.

Meanwhile, the campaign marches on in an effort to squash support for the bills, at least stall the legislation through to the next year, when new 2012 election winners in the House will take over. A tour of meetings throughout the state in hopes of inspiring "a million voices" to descend on Lansing in protest continues in Ferndale on Thursday. 

Thursday's meeting in the Harding Administrative Center (2920 Burdette, Ferndale) is scheduled from 7-9 p.m.

Read more:

• Your Guide to Michigan Education Reform Proposals
• BHS Urges for Local Presence in Education Reform Debate