Here’s an eye-popping number for you: 1.3 trillion dollars. That’s higher than America’s car loans and credit card debt combined. It’s also the amount of student debt in this country–student loans comprise the second-highest form of consumer debt in America. No wonder student debt is raising waves in the community and rising higher of politician’s priority lists.
Today, in a morning conference call, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow initiated the #InTheRed campaign with Michigan State University student Tina Reyes to raise awareness of the staggering burden of student loan debt for college graduates and the need to focus on college affordability.
“Too many people in Michigan are saddled with decades of debt just because they wanted a fair shot to go to college and get ahead,” said Senator Stabenow. “Making college affordable will improve the lives of millions of Americans and boost our economy by giving graduates the ability to spend their money on a home, a car, and the needs of their families.”
The #InTheRed campaign is focused not only raising awareness of college debt, but also addressing the problem. Senator Stabenow introduced the proposals intended to curb the problem of student debt and to lessen the burden of being #InTheRed.
• Allow all federal student loan borrowers to refinance their high-interest loans down to the rates offered to new federal bowers in the 2013-2014 school year (3.86%)
• Index Pell Grant awards to adjust for inflation
• Create new partnerships among the federal government, states, and Indian tribes to help them waive resident tuition in two years of community and technical college programs for eligible students
The costs for these proposals, including the $120 billion needed over 10 years to cover the costs of community college and technical school, would be covered by closing corporate tax loopholes.
For students like Tina Reyes, a senior majoring in political science and public policy, the focus on the student debt problem is a long time coming and a beacon of hope for thousands of students burdened in debt.
“I am a first generation college student from Flint, Michigan, and without federal and private student loans I would not be able to attend Michigan State University,” explained Tina. “Even working multiple jobs, I am concerned about how I will be able to pay my student loan bills which will arrive within a year after my graduation.”
While shouldering a full class load at school, Tina has continually worked 30-40 hours a week to help cover her expenses. However, she will still graduate this upcoming spring with $100,000 in student loans, before interest.
“I support the #InTheRed campaign because it will shed light on how much student loan debt students like me will be struggling to pay,” Tina further added. “A lower interest rate on loans would mean thousands of dollars, and not only for me, but for other people as well.”
Currently, Michigan ranks ninth in the country on average student loan debt. 62 percent of students in Michigan graduate with student loan debt. A student who graduated from a 4-year Michigan college or university in 2014 owes almost $30,000 in loans on average.
The student debt bubble will continue to grow unless something is done. The #InTheRed campaign is striving for just that, “There’s been a fundamental lack of investment from both state and federal levels,” exclaimed Stabenow. “We haven’t seen a bipartisan support to address the problem and refocus on education. We hope there is bipartisan support for the #InTheRed campaign and that higher education sees the reinvestment it desperately needs.”
The Wyoming 62A District Court received high satisfaction marks from the community in a survey administered by the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Court Administrative Office.
Every year, an annual satisfaction survey is given to courts throughout the state that asks court users questions about their levels of satisfaction. These surveys allow courts to see how their services are received and allow them to identify strengths, areas of improvement, and provide positive feedback to employees.
“Public input is vitally important because court users can help us make critical management decisions to improve the efficiency of court operations,” said District Court Administrator Chris Kittmann. “Public satisfaction is a critical measure of the success of court operations. Our court employees continuously strive to provide respectful and courteous service to the public.”
Across the board, 62A District Court in Wyoming received positive feedback from their court users. Not only were court users pleased with the accessible, timely, and fair service they received, but 67 percent said they received a favorable outcome in their case!
Here are some other numbers from the survey:
• 96 percent of court users said they were treated with courtesy and respect by court staff.
• 90 percent of court users said the judge or magistrate treated everyone with courtesy and respect.
• 94 percent of court users were able to get their business done in a reasonable amount of time.
The public satisfaction survey is part of a statewide initiative of the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Court Administrative Office to measure and report on court performance. The survey was developed with input from both judges and court administrators statewide.
Another year has come and gone. Here at Wyoming-Kentwood NOW, we take a look back at the year that was with some of our favorite, and most memorable, stories from here in Wyoming.
After almost 15 years on the job, former Wyoming Deputy City Manager Barbara Van Duren retired. Her retirement was celebrated at the Wyoming Public Library to make room for all the people in attendance! 28th West, the re-development of 28th street, was a project close to Barbara’s heart. In the words of Barbara Van Duren, “28th streets needs a facelift.”
One Wyoming 1 on 1 offers mentors the opportunity to make a difference in children’s lives. Not only that, but the children will make just as big–if not bigger–of an impact on you! Deb Havens shares her story on mentoring Amber and the bond they’ve created.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety recognized their top employees. Among those honored was Jason Caster for Officer of the year, Brian Illbrink as Firefighter of the Year, Terra Wesseldyk as Civilian of the Year, and Lt. Kirt Zuiderveen received the Chief’s Award of Professional Excellence.
March is a special time for basketball lovers of all ages! The MHSAA playoffs kicked into full gear with multiple schools from the Wyoming area vying for a State Championship.
Harriet Sturim, a proud Wyoming homeowner since 1977, highlights some new and positive building in the city. From the new Veterans Clinic in Metro Village to the new businesses on 28th and 36th street, the City of Wyoming is continuing the city’s growth of vision and progress.
Wyoming’s, and most like Kent County’s, oldest home was put up for sale in 2015. For the first time in 179 years, the ‘Rogers Mansion’ was put on the market for someone outside the Rogers family. The house comes with the original skeleton key to unlock the front door. History is all around us.
General Motors used 2015 to invest in their Burton location with capital and full-time job opportunities. $119 million and 300 jobs were announced in June and another $43 million 55 new jobs were announced later in December! A reinvestment in West Michigan manufacturing is sometime to get excited about.
Wyoming continues to add new businesses to the area. Three new businesses found a home at the corner of Clyde Park and 44th Street. A four-story WoodSpring Hotel, a Fox Powersports, and a J&H Mobil Station with a Tim Horton’s right next-door broke in the dirt.
The Pinery Park Little League was in troubled water as they risked losing their contract to the fields at Pinery Park with the Wyoming City Council due to a lack of transparency and losing their 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. Fortunately, the league was able to get it together but will need to run more efficiently going forward.
Wyoming Public Schools found themselves on the winning side after election day with the passing of a sinking fund to help the school. The sinking fund works a little differently from a bond issue and will end up raising over $400,000 per year with little, if any, increase to Wyoming tax payers.
The Great Candy Cane Hunt had another successful season with Santa being delivered by the fire department and then leading the children on a candy cane hunt throughout Pinery Park. The event continued at the Wyoming Senior Center with “life-size” jenga and connect four that families could enjoy!
WKTV is home to Wyoming-Kentwood NOW. Sharing the stories in your community!
Every year stories are written and consumed by the masses, but here at Wyoming-Kentwood NOW we focus on the hyperlocal. More specifically, we focus on YOU and YOUR community.
As we say goodbye to 2015 and get ready to say hello to 2016, let’s take a quick look back at our ten most popular stories from the past year:
Don’t forget to make now.wktv.org a part of your daily routine, and if your interested in writing about the stories that surround you, we know just the people to talk to! Email us at news@wktv.org.
The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 is a bipartisan bill focused on eliminating microbeads and their pollution from the Great Lakes. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles used in cosmetic products that are small enough to filter through municipal wastewater treatment plants after they’re rinsed down the drain. According to the new law, a microbead is defined as “any solid plastic particle” less than 5 millimeters in size intended for use as an exfoliate. The law’s clear wording and definition of a microbead doesn’t allow for manufacturing loopholes to other plastics.
After being rinsed down the drain, microbeads often end up floating in the Great Lakes where they can soak up toxins like a sponge and then enter the food chain after being mistaken for food by fish and other wildlife.
In the Great Lakes, anywhere between 1,500 to 1.1 million microbeads can be found per square mile. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario have the highest concentrations.
Now that the bill has been signed into law, microbeads will be phased out of consumer products over the next few years. In July 2017, a ban on manufacturing microbeads will go into effect with product-specific manufacturing and sales bans coming in 2018 and 2019.
When looking for products with microbeads, some will come out and say ‘Microbeads’ right on the label. However, other times microbeads are labeled as polyethylene or polypropylene. Companies like L’Oreal, Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble have already started phasing out microbeads for alternatives like sand and apricot seeds.
It’s a positive change that couldn’t come soon enough for the Great Lakes, their wildlife, and the food chain.
Long lines surrounded the DeltaPlex Arena & Conference Center on Monday, December 21, 2015 as people eagerly awaited the arrival of front-runner Republican Presidential Candidate Donald J. Trump.
Several Trump supporters were in line since early afternoon anxiously waiting for the doors to open at five.
“I would not stand in line this long for any other politician,” exclaimed Barbara Sue Damore (Suzie), a committed fan from right here in Grand Rapids. Suzie even made ‘Big Trump Cookies’ to distribute to the line of supporters while they waited.
A row of satellite trucks, media, and television remotes dominated the south entrance to the convention center, and over ten thousand people were counted in attendance for the Trump rally. In all, it was the largest crowd ever at the DeltaPlex.
The rally hosted support from all age groups. There was a large portion of the younger generation in attendance as well.
While awaiting Trump’s arrival, I spoke with several teenage students. One group of Byron Center high school supporters were there to hear Trump talk about his plan to combat ISIS. Students from Martin, Allegan, Hopkins, Caledonia and Forest Hills High Schools were also interested in hearing Trump talk combating ISIS and gun control.
I spoke with a group of college students from Ferris State who were awaiting some fellow students from Baker and Fremont college. They were interested in hearing about Trump’s tax plan, the budget, and military spending.
High school and college students weren’t the youngest in attendance, the Harrison family from Dorr brought along their three little girls. This was their first rally and they wanted to part of the history in making America great again.
Eighty-five-year-old Betty Stott traveled from the Ft. Wayne Indiana area just to see Trump and listen to all he had to say.
Kathy and Mary from Muskegon were there in hopes to hear Trumps plan for education, and immigration.
In talking with a group of some Grand Haven supporters, they liked his celebrity and wanted to hear Trump’s famous catch phrase “Obama you’re fired.” Others just wanted to watch his antics, and they were not disappointed.
The evening’s ceremonies started with everyone singing the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. After singing, everyone stood up with hands over their hearts for the saying of the pledge of allegiance.
The crowd roared as Donald Trump hit the stage.
He started with a light joke on the good deal he got on the DeltaPlex center. From there, it was all business, Trump got serious and went into an attack mode against his competitors.
The comments came out hot and started with Lindsey Graham’s decision to leave the race earlier that Monday. He criticized Jeb Bush’s poling numbers as “sad.” And, to no one’s surprise, the biggest target was Hillary Clinton.
Trump made a comment about Hillary being “schlonged” by Obama in 2008. He took a jab at Hillary’s claim that terrorist groups are recruiting fighters with a video of him. “She’s a liar,” he said.
The next day Trump tweeted that his reference about Hillary being “schlonged” is a common term used frequently by politicians.
He also made reference to Hillary’s “break” during a recent Democratic debate telling the crowd, “I know where she went, it’s disgusting.” Laughter filled the arena.
Trump went after the media, daring the camera crews to get a good crowd shot of his supporters in reaction to protesters interrupting the rally. Trump called the protesters “a bunch of losers” and waved goodbye as security escorted them out. This again brought thunderous applause from his supporters.
He told the crowd he hated journalists because some of them are lying, disgusting people. “It’s true,” he stated, before sarcastically adding with a smile and a wink, “But I would never kill them.”
Trump talked about the car manufacturing industry here in Michigan. He said he would slap Ford with a punitive 35 percent tax for ‘every car and part’ produced at an expanded plant in Mexico. “I am a free trader, but we can’t be stupid traders,” he told supporters.
A tax on car parts made in Mexico wasn’t the only reference to the country. If Trump was elected, a ‘beautiful’ wall would be built to keep illegals out. The ‘Trump Wall’ as he named it.
As the rally continued, Trump mentioned his recent support from Russian President Vladmir Putin and asked his supporters, “wouldn’t it be great if we could all just get along?”
After over an hour of speaking to a highly vocal crowd, Trump exited to the stage and left a favorable impression on those in attendance.
Comments such as “he tells it like it is”, “Trump expresses the views of the common people”, and “we believe he will make America great again” were commonly expressed by those in attendance.
P. Williams “Patty Williams” has a life time of experience in the entertainment business. On stage at an early age with West Michigan’s first family of bluegrass music, The Williams Family. Patty started P. Williams Productions in 2003. Three Eclipse Awards and Two Telly Awards grace her mantle. Patty enjoys working with professionals, and is always open to new adventures.
After news broke that data storage giant Switch was looking to buy the old Steelcase pyramid building, and bring with it 1,000 jobs to the area within 10 years, the excitement permeated throughout not only West Michigan, but the entire state! One of the giants in the data storage industry, the Google of data storage if you will, was looking to make a home right here in West Michigan. A whole new industry looking to establish roots in the Great Lakes State.
However, things never go as smoothly as planned. Switch had one holdup before they were willing to make a home in Gaines Township, a tax break for data storage centers. After breaking a stalemate in the House late on Tuesday, the Senate signed off on the bills exempting data centers from sales and use taxes through 2035 if the industry meets job creation goals.
The bills are now waiting for Governor Rick Snyder’s signature to be put into effect.
While the tax breaks were requested by Switch, they apply to all data centers in the state. The tax exemptions end if the collective data center industry doesn’t create at least 400 new jobs by 2022 and 1,000 new jobs by 2026.
Switch will move into the pyramid building at 4100 60th St. SE, a building that has been vacant since 2010. The building was purchased back in May by Norman Properties LLC. The company plans to use the site to build a 2 million-square-foot “SuperNap” data center.
It’s not just the tech industry that will see an influx in West Michigan, but also local businesses buoyed by Switch’s capital and economic impact. The company has a planned an initial $400 million construction budget and anticipates spending over $2 billion over the next decade. That money and business will be used primarily on local subcontractors.
The jobs created, and pay-rolled by Switch, are sure to bring a jolt to the local economy as well. Minimum wage for SuperNap jobs start at $15 per hour, plus benefits. Salary for a majority of the data center jobs pays between $60,000 and $200,000.
For a company with clients that include eBay, Sony, Boeing, Google, and Amazon to choose West Michigan as a major host site is an exciting opportunity to some, but for Gaines Township Supervisor Don Hilton Sr. it’s business as usual.
“We’ve worked with many businesses before, and this one will be handled no differently. As of now, we haven’t received any requests from Switch,” stated Hilton who isn’t being caught up in the hoopla surrounding a new business coming into the area. When you’ve been on the job for 23 years like Hilton has, it’s all about the next step in the process.
With a new company also comes new employees who need a place to live. Gaines Township has vacant land available for real estate expansion and Hilton wouldn’t be surprised to see land developed as time goes forward.
“There are a lot of variables, but common sense says yes. With more people comes more demand for homes and real estate.”
GM announced today they will be investing another $43.35 million for power train components at the 1600 Burton Street location. The new investment will create 55 new jobs while retaining 15 jobs.
“This investment signifies a commitment to the men and women of Grand Rapids Operations and their dedication to produce precision machined automotive components to support numerous GM product applications used in a variety of Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac vehicles,” said Grand Rapids Operations Plant Manager Rick Demuynck.
The plant currently employs 530 employees , 400 hourly and 130 salaried.
“This commitment not only reflects confidence in the Grand Rapids team, along with the leadership of the UAW, but also showcases the sense of ownership and pride our employees have in the products they build,” explained Demuynk.
Investing in manufacturing here in West Michigan is a win for the entire community.
After holding off until deep in November, planet Earth decided it was finally time to switch over to winter and bring down the snow from above. While the temperature drop necessary to bring on a nice snowfall usually keeps people indoors, it didn’t stop dog owners and the City of Kentwood from opening the city’s first dog park!
On Saturday, November 21, Mayor Stephen Kepley lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new dog park located in Kelloggwoods Park at 275 Kellogg Woods Drive. What ensued was doggy heaven as the pups quickly began socializing with their new furry friends in the winter wonderland.
The park has designated off-leash areas for dogs both big and small, dog-waste bins, water spigots and benches.
Dog owners, and citizens of Kentwood, look forward to having a dog park so close to home. Pets are family members too, and watching them play is enjoyable for everyone involved.
Mayor Kepley said it best, “Our dogs can now have just as much fun in the City of Kentwood as the adults do.”
The Michigan Department of State yesterday released the 2016 presidential primary candidate list. The list is available online.
Under state law, the department is required to create a list of presidential candidates “generally advocated by the national news media to be potential presidential candidates” for the Republican and Democratic parties for the presidential primary election.
The chairs of the Michigan Democratic and Republican parties now have until 4 p.m., Nov. 17, to add names of other candidates to the candidate list for their party. A candidate on the list who wishes to withdraw has until 4 p.m., Dec. 11, to notify the department that he or she is not a presidential candidate.
Candidates not placed on the list by the department or the party chairs may collect signatures to be placed on the ballot.
The Michigan presidential primary will be March 8, 2016. Besides the candidates listed on the ballot, voters also may choose “uncommitted” as an option. In addition to the presidential primary, residents in some communities also may be voting on local ballot proposals or for special elections to fill vacancies.
Voters will be able to view their March 8 sample ballot online closer to Election Day to review any other elections occurring that day.
On election day, the Wyoming Public School District was hopeful the citizens of Wyoming would vote to pass the funding request. The request was for a sinking fund, a shorter, smaller stream of money that acts differently from a bond issue.
“It was very hard to get a read on the way the public felt. It was very quiet,” explained Superintendent Tom Reeder. “We tried to be as informative as possible over social media and school news letters.”
The sinking fund request was passed by a vote of 1,445 to 978 and won every precinct.
The new funding will raise over $400,000 per year with little, if any, increase to the Wyoming tax payers. The sinking fund will help pay for infrastructure updates until the next bond proposal between the 2021/22 and 2022/23 school year. By that time, the District’s millages will be down to zero. Much like paying off a house mortgage.
How is a sinking fund different from a bond issue? Well, for starters, a sinking fund is for a much shorter period of time. On top of the duration, a sinking fund provides a little bit of money at a time instead of it all upfront. With a sinking fund, no debt needs to be repaid because a smaller amount of money is being brought in to pay for numerous projects. With a bond issue, the millages passed off to the taxpayer pay off the debt for the large lump sum taken upfront.
On the whole, sinking funds are more economical for smaller projects because there is no interest paid on the projects; you pay as you go.
Now that we’ve covered the jargon on the difference between a sinking fund and a bond, it’s time to talk about the real meat of what was voted on – where is the money going?
Quick answer, it’s going towards small projects that need repair on a schedule. Things like roofs, parking lots, and mechanical equipment.
Longer – more detailed – answer, it’s going towards safety and security, efficiency, and infrastructure tune-ups district wide. The breakdown is below.
Replace and Re-key Doors: Doors are rusted and multiple keys are needed in one building. Re-keying allows for a master-key allowing access to multiple school buildings.
Emergency Lighting: Emergency lighting systems are outdated and need to be upgraded for increased safety in the event of an emergency or loss of power.
Upgrade heating and cooling units: Current system runs at high output all the time.
Install High Efficiency Heating System: New web-based control unit updated system will help with energy savings by allowing the heating system to run at lower output during mild weather.
Exterior Lights: Provide better nighttime lighting for after school events.
Remodel Student bathrooms: Replace bathroom fixtures with energy-efficient fixtures and use low maintenance materials to reduce cleaning times and extend useful life.
Replace or Repair Roofs: Building roofs are past their 20-year useful lives. Recent inspections indicate that future leaks are only a matter of time.
Parking Lots: Lots are in need of resurfacing. Parking lot capacity would be increased to ease congestion of drop-off and pick-up areas.
Superintendent Reeder was very thankful to the public and adamant that the funds were needed, “We are very thankful to the public and we will stay transparent with where the money is going. Our buildings are 50 years old. They may look nice on the outside, but issues are starting to present themselves and they need to be fixed.”
When it comes to government ethics and transparency, the State of Michigan is failing miserably.
An investigation by The Center for Public Integrity on government transparency and accountability found that Michigan wasn’t doing very well. The State only scored 51 points out of a possible 100 and failed 10 of the 13 categories.
Even more alarming, 11 other states received a failing grade, but Michigan stood out as the worst and ranked dead last amongst all 50 states.
“The dark money that dominates Michigan politics takes on another definition in the daily workings of state courts, the legislature, the governor’s office and cabinet members,” describes Chad Selweski in his report. “That’s because the state doesn’t require officials to disclose their financial holdings and outside income.”
You can read Selweski’s full report here on the methodology and why Michigan’s scores are so low. To see how the states stack up against each other, click here.
Kentwood and Wyoming residents visited the polls yesterday to cast their votes in the local elections and proposals. Between the two cities, there were two school district proposals and three city commission elections.
Kentwood
Commissioner At Large
Incumbent Commissioner-at-large Steven Redmond (appointed in March 2015) ran against Thomas Webb. Webb won the August primary by 46 votes, but both he and Redmond had to run again in November because neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote. This time, Redmond toppled Webb by winning 54 percent of the vote with a final tally of 2,147 to 1,855.
Robert Coughlin
Commissioner (1st Ward)
Robert Coughlin ran for re-election against William Wenzel, and the voters decided to keep the incumbent in his chair. Coughlin won the race with 67 percent of the vote in a final tally of 1,293 to 637.
Commissioner (2nd Ward)
Michael Brown ran unopposed for his re-election. Brown pulled in all 1,715 votes.
Michael Brown
Kentwood Public Schools
After voters initially said no to a $64.86 million bond proposal back in May (by only 353 votes), the Kentwood School District rededicated their efforts towards getting the word out on why the bond was needed. The new bond focused on building, security, and technology renovations and improvements. It was placed back on to the November ballot and passed by a vote count of 3,125 to 2,108.
Wyoming
Wyoming Public Schools
Voters in Wyoming voted to pass a building and site sinking fund for Wyoming Public Schools that will raise about $400,000 each year. The sinking fund will go to infrastructure repairs like roofs, parking lots, doors, windows, and boilers. The fund should get the district to 2021, then a millage can be proposed to renovate all the schools in the district.
Community member Jim Swoboda’s children had a great experience at Kentwood Public Schools. He said they benefited from the diversity of the student body and passionate teachers.
“Our kids got a great education here,” said Swoboda, whose children graduated from East Kentwood High School. He now chairs the Kentwood Friends of Education. “We want to make sure all the kids coming behind them have an equal or better opportunity than they did.”
So, Swoboda and other district parents and community are rallying to get word out on a $65 million bond request on the ballot Tuesday, Nov. 3. It is the district’s second attempt to pass the proposal to fund security, technology, new buses and facility upgrades.
After a similar proposal for the same amount narrowly failed in May with a vote of 4,407 to 4,055, parents rallied to try again. The district has also worked to better communicate details of the bond.
“We felt we owed it to those parents,” Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff said.
A community survey paid for by Kentwood Friends for Education showed support. “People overwhelmingly said, ‘put it back on,’ and that’s why we we’re back,” Swoboda said.
The survey sought to capture a cross-section of registered voters and parents to guide the district leadership’s decision to bring another bond proposal to the board, Zoerhoff said. It was mailed, emailed and posted on social media to solicit feedback from staff, parents and community members. More than 1,000 people responded.
The proposal remains nearly the same as in May, although new athletic turf on the football and soccer fields has been removed from planned bond-funded projects.
The 30-year proposal would cost about 72 cents per week for the owner of a $100,000 home. The district recently refinanced existing debt, which reduced the 2014 millage to 3.5 mills. The proposed bond issue will raise the millage rate 0.75 mills to a total of 4.25 mills. This new rate is lower than the 4.6 mills that were levied in 2014.
If approved, bond projects would occur over the next 10 years. About 25 percent of bond funds are planned for technology; 27 percent toward safety and security and 48 percent toward improving operational efficiency, including building renovations.
A Breakdown of Projects
In the area of safety and security, bond projects would include:
• Remodeled school entryways creating limited access to students and classrooms
• Improved traffic-flow measures at buildings to create safer, more efficient environments for traveling to and from facilities
• Updated building-wide communications systems
• The gradual replacement of an aging school bus fleet
• Playground upgrades to meet current safety guidelines
In the area of technology, projects would include:
• New computers and devices, purchased gradually over 10 years, allowing the district to implement a long-term technology plan
• Upgrades to network infrastructure and modernizations at each school location to support and serve more technology
• Remodeling media centers into flexible “collaboration centers” throughout the district. The spaces would be outfitted for technology and used for large-group instruction
In the area of operational efficiency, including building renovations, projects would include:
• Elementary media center renovations with new technology and furniture
• Meadowlawn Elementary School renovations including the addition of a gymnasium to bring it up to the district-wide standard
• A new secure community entrance for after-school and recreation programs (youth arts and athletics) at Valleywood Middle School
• Locker room remodeling and upgrades at Pinewood and Valleywood middle schools for use by students and community.
• Fine arts classrooms at East Kentwood High School would be renovated
Be sure to check out School News Network for more stories about our great students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan!
In May of 2015, the proposal on the Kentwood school bond narrowly failed. After months of gathering feedback and re-evaluating district needs, the bond is being resubmitted for vote on November 3rd.
The revised proposal calls for the residents of Kentwood School District to vote on a $64,860,000 school bond that will enhance safety, improve technology, and increase operational efficiency over a ten-year period. For a homeowner, the proposal would cost about 72 center per week (an increase from 3.5 mills to 4.25 mills) for every $100,000 in market value of your home.
As a Kentwood resident, here’s where your money will be going if the new bond is passed:
Safety and Security (27% of bond)
• School entryways will be remodeled, ensuring a friendly lobby for our families, while providing limited access to our students and classrooms.
• Enhanced security measures will be implemented in all schools. Cameras and ID monitoring will provide remote access for security purposes.
• Pedestrian and vehicle traffic challenges will be addressed to create safe, more efficient environments for students and parents as they travel to and from the Kentwood facilities
• Building-wide communications systems will be brought up to date.
• Aging school buses will be gradually replaced, as need. The district currently has a fleet of 43 buses, but only 38 are operational. Bus purchases have been deferred for the last four years and has cost the District by doubling bus routes and maintenance expenses. If approved, bus replacements will begin during this school year.
• Playgrounds will be updated to meet current safety standards.
Technology (25% of bond)
• Purchasing new computers and devices to replace outdated technology.
• Upgrades to the District’s network infrastructure and modernizations at each school location to support and serve more wireless technology.
• Remodeling media centers with technology updates.
• The creation of flexible Collaboration Center spaces which will focus on state-of-the-art technology and large group instruction throughout the District.
• Replacement of obsolete student technology devices. If approved, will begin during this school year.
Operational Efficiency and Building Renovations (48% of bond)
• Plumbing, mechanical, electrical and building systems that require investment will be upgraded to extend their useful life and improve operational efficiency.
• Aged doors and windows will be replaced where necessary to improve building efficiency.
• Building finishes will be refreshed with new carpet, ceilings and other interior improvements, such as furniture.
• Parking lots and paved areas will be improved and expanded as needed.
• All elementary school media centers will be renovated, including new technology and furniture.
• Collaborative, multi-purpose learning centers will be created in each school in order to support 21st century education practices.
• A per-student allocation of funds for furniture upgrades and replacements for all elementary, middle school and high school students.
• Meadowlawn Elementary renovations, including the addition of a gymnasium, that will bring it up to District-wide standard.
• New community entrance for after-school and recreation programs (youth arts and athletics) will be built at Valleywood Middle School.
• Locker room remodeling and upgrades will take place at Pinewood and Valleywood Middle Schools for use by students and community.
• Fine arts classrooms at East Kentwood High School will be renovated.
The previous bond came through on every project that was promised to the community and also did so under budget on 90% of the projects!
Three public information forums will be held at different locations leading up to the election on November 3rd. Those dates and locations are as follows:
• Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Kentwood High School in the West Wing Commons
• Tuesday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m. at the KPS Main Office, 5820 Eastern Avenue
• Thursday, October 29 at 5:00 p.m. at Challenger Elementary
Specific building project listings and renderings for each school are on display at kentwoodps.org.
Pinery Park Little League was in jeopardy of losing its contract with the City of Wyoming and Pinery Park due to a lack of transparent bookkeeping and the loss of nonprofit 501(c)(3) status.
The League made tremendous progress ironing out those issues over the past two weeks.
“I guess it took some major deadlines in order to have this contract happen,” exclaimed Mayor Jack Poll at the October 5 City Council Meeting. “I think it’s a good agreement. It protects both the park and those involved with the PPLL.”
There is new leadership within the League as almost an entirely new board was voted in during the elections on September 30. Mayor Poll was in attendance and cast his vote for the League leaders.
It is clear the new board wants the new contract and agreement to work. The members are shouldering a large responsibility to meet the requirements of the contract. The new board will have to prepare and show financial statements to the fiduciary handling the league’s financials. The PPLL board will meet on a regular, scheduled basis to stay on top of happenings throughout the league.
One of the main hiccups was the loss of 501(c)(3) status for the League back in 2011. The IRS has received and is reviewing the PPLL’s application to reinstate that status. The League must now wait 60-120 days for an answer from the IRS.
“The Pinery Park Little League knows how to run a league, they’ve been doing it a long time,” said Mayor Poll.
Now the league, the City, the parents, and the players can focus on the most important aspect… PLAY BALL!
Aliya Armstrong organizes the district’s Clothing Closet, with Kessia, a student who has faced homelessness. Kessia also volunteers in the clothes pantry.
Conversations between Aliya Armstrong and her students usually begin with the same question: “How are you doing?”
For the students who show up in Armstrong’s East Kentwood High School office, that query often results in a complicated answer. As the district’s homeless coordinator, she sees many students who have been through struggles and disruptions that make being “fine” seem close to impossible.
Take Kessia. The senior, who did not want her last name published, has earned a 3.7 grade-point average while cheerleading, running track and working after school and on weekends to buy food for herself and her sister. At the beginning of the school year, the family was evicted from their home.
“There was a period of time when we had nowhere to go,” said Kessia, an articulate, petite young woman. “We had to take all of our stuff out of the house, and we had to throw a lot of it away because we could only pay for a certain amount of storage.”
For a while she told nobody at school, staring at the address line for college applications without anything to write down.
Homeless Students Have Rights To:
– Receive a free, appropriate public education – Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents that are normally required – Enroll in the local school or continue at their school of origin (if feasible and determined to be in the best interest of the student) – Receive transportation to and from school of origin if needed and feasible – Receive educational services comparable to other children, according to their needs
“I knew I needed some help. So, I came to see Mrs. Armstrong,” she said.
Armstrong helped her family receive services through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act, the federal legislation that seeks to help children and youth break the barriers to education if they find themselves without a permanent home. That’s Armstrong’s job: to keep homeless students in school and equipped with the resources they need.
“I can talk to her and be honest,” said Kessia, who now lives with her grandmother in Grand Rapids and takes the city bus to school. “Mrs. Armstrong knows what to say because she’s been there. We are really fortunate to have someone like her working in this district because there are lots of kids in the district with similar situations or even worse.”
Editor’s Note: The Burden of Poverty: A Backpack of Heartache is a continuing series on poverty in the schools and how it affects students’ learning. We will examine not only the problems poverty creates for students and their families, but the schools and strategies that are helping disadvantaged students succeed.
‘A Statistic in My Own Right’
Armstrong can relate to Kessia in many ways. Rewind to 1994 when she was a senior at Creston High School. A cheerleader, Homecoming queen and student council vice president, Armstrong was passionate about school and she excelled. But outside of her academic and athletic success, she faced turmoil not typical for student royalty.
“Uniquely, I am a product of the environment that I serve,” she said.
She lived in a Grand Rapids-based domestic violence shelter at age 15 with her sister, brother and mother after they escaped an abusive situation in Flint, where she grew up. They later moved from the shelter to a safe house.
“I am a statistic in my very own right. It is amazing how life changes and turns and puts you in particular areas.”
Now she works with the district’s approximately 250 homeless students, a number that is always fluctuating. She does everything from setting up legally authorized services for them, to providing them with clothes from the district’s clothing pantry filled with donated items. She checks in with students often, making sure they are on track with classes and that things are stable in their lives.
“She is great about helping them with whatever she is allowed to do, getting them the right food, clothing for proper warmth,” said East Kentwood’s head counselor Kathryn VanOveren. “I think over the past few years Aliya’s done a great job of marrying counseling skills with organizational skills and understanding the state law.”
The district’s homeless population is not unique. In Kent ISD schools, there were 2,368 homeless students in Kent County as of February.
“I expect the count to go a bit higher as the weather starts to warm up,” said Casey Gordon, Kent ISD special populations consultant. “The count has already eclipsed last year’s total.” Year-end homeless student totals for Kent ISD were 2,157 in 2013-2014 and 2,241 in 2012-2013.
“We try to keep them in their school of origin, which is the school they attended before the homelessness took place,” Armstrong said. “Part of the law is to keep some continuity, same teachers and friends instead of uprooting them completely. They’ve already left their home.”
When first working with families, Armstrong gets the details of their situation. For instance, she took a phone call with a mother who had lived in a motel for nine months with her children, before moving out of state and then back to Grand Rapids. With no assets in her name following a divorce, finding permanent housing was very difficult.
“It’s always something heart-wrenching,” Armstrong said. Medical issues that cause financial stress, a record of multiple evictions, and child removal by Children’s Protective Services are among reasons a child loses his or her permanent home. Students awaiting foster-care placement also qualify for services under McKinney-Vento.
“We had seven students over Spring Break who landed in shelters,” she said.
Aliya Armstrong talks on the phone with a mother whose family is facing homelessness.
A major obstacle can be getting homeless students to school at all. Armstrong understands the stress and guilt parents face when struggling to get their child involved in academics while living at a motel or shelter.
“As a school we need that child here to get this education, get a warm meal, have some normalcy to that routine,” she added. “But as as a mother do I get it? Absolutely.”
There Were No Excuses
Armstrong, who has master’s degrees in English and school-counseling education from Grand Valley State University, and a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Michigan University, has served as homeless coordinator for three years. Prior to that, she was as a counselor at Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Union High School and Gerald R. Ford Middle School. She formerly taught at Union, Iroquois Middle School, and Park High School for pregnant teenage mothers.
Armstrong reflected that when she was in the shelter, school was her comfort zone.
“I think there was a celebration in being removed from the chaos and the hell that allowed me to say, ‘I’m pushing reset on life, and I’m going to get out of high school what I should have been gaining all this time,'” she said.
Good role models helped as well. Her mother, the late Wendy Forrest, was a no-nonsense parent. “She didn’t care that we were in a shelter; that was no excuse for me to not be on the honor roll.
“We’re not a family of crying over spilled milk,” she added. “We are a give-us-lemons-we-make-lemonade type of crew, very supportive and strong. It wasn’t a ‘woe is me.’ It wasn’t ‘this is going to break me.’ You have two roads to travel: You’ll either be a victor or a victim, and becoming a victim just was not an option.”
Armstrong, a runner and the mother of three young children, has been recognized for transforming herself physically by Women’s Lifestyle Magazine, Gazelle Girl and WOTV4Women. She also teaches Zumba at the Spartan Stores YMCA, in Wyoming. On crutches due to a sprained ankle in April, she finished the Fifth Third Riverbank Run 25K May 9.
The reason she challenges herself physically ties in with her job.
“I’m a proponent for every adult, especially in our positions, to have an outlet and a stress reliever. You can’t carry these stories home. You will find yourself in tears many days.
“I have been on the phone with a mom who says, ‘They’re here right now, Aliya. They are packing up the boxes.’ And she’s bawling. What do you do? What do you say?”
Aliya Armstrong offers advice to Kessia, a senior who has been homeless.
Where Her Heart Is
Sharing her story is one thing Armstrong does well, and it’s a way she gives students strength. Armstrong told Kessia that she can be inspirational for others.
“I’m super, super proud of you. You’ve got it,” Armstrong told Kessia, while they chatted in the high school office. “You and I are similar because hearing your story is going to help someone. You have a platform to minister to someone and encourage someone.”
Kessia plans to go to college next year, at Xavier University in Cincinnati or Butler University in Indianapolis, to major in communications and public relations. She said she is looking to the future with pride in her achievements.
“Because of all the hardships at home, I took a lot of pride in my grades and doing well in school because it was kind of the only thing in my life that was consistent and that I can be proud (of),” Kessia said.
Armstrong knows how much that really means.
“I love that I can speak words to my students and they are meaningful truths… I’ve walked this path and I know what it takes. I know the struggle. There’s something about me with the gritty, roll-your-sleeves-up population. That’s where I need to be in all areas of my life.
