| Michigan Schools from Ann Arbor to DeWitt are | | | | expenses, it's no huge surprise that transportation |
| looking for ways to stretch their budgets, meet | | | | costs are high on the list. Operations Director of |
| national accountability standards, and still provide | | | | Grand Ledge Public Schools, Matt Losch, reports |
| children with practical skills for the futures. The | | | | that his district spends an average of $420 yearly |
| ways different districts of Michigan Schools are | | | | for each student. That means over $2 million for |
| approaching this dilemma are as varied as the | | | | a single district of the Michigan Schools. With rising |
| schools themselves. From sharing classroom | | | | fuel costs, Michigan Schools are actively seeking |
| space to outsourcing work, the job of running a | | | | solutions. |
| public school system the size of Michigan Schools | | | | Some of the answer include: replacing older buses |
| is changing with the times. | | | | with more fuel efficient models, outsourcing |
| FREE TECHNOLOGY FOR MICHIGAN SCHOOLS | | | | dispatch operations, replacing employed mechanics |
| Every year each district in the Michigan Schools | | | | with a private contractor, and purchasing in larger |
| must dip into their operational budget to pay | | | | quantities. The outsourcing alone is expected to |
| licensing fees for district computers to use the | | | | save up to $100,000 by eliminating salaries and |
| Microsoft OfficeÂ(R) applications. Last year | | | | benefits. |
| that cost each Michigan Schools' district about | | | | Some of Michigan Schools' Grand Ledge Board |
| $24,000; a price tag that is expected to double | | | | Members expressed their concerns about |
| for the upcoming school year. DeWitt Public | | | | contractor's bids, and the need to lay off |
| Schools has found a way around that. Microsoft's | | | | employees. Representatives of the International |
| OpenOffice.org Project allows a district to | | | | Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) attended |
| download the entire software for free. All Michigan | | | | several board meetings on the topic and also |
| Schools can take advantage of this cost savings | | | | expressed concerns. Losch has said that any |
| and install the application on all computers, as well | | | | mechanic laid off will have a chance to interview |
| as in the students' homes. | | | | with the selected contractor. |
| DeWitt Schools Superintendent Tina Templin says | | | | Schools around the nation are feeling pressure to |
| that, "Our students will be expected to be | | | | invest the time and money needed to meet No |
| versatile in a variety of technology tools upon | | | | Child Left Behind requirements for reaching higher |
| their graduation, not just the one application | | | | standards and reducing class sizes. Michigan |
| promoted in the states." Open Office is | | | | Schools endeavor to balance rising costs, greater |
| considered the global standard. All Michigan Schools | | | | technological requirements, and the ever-present |
| are likely to be interested in cost saving software | | | | issues of racial disparity. While cost effective |
| that prepares students for success. | | | | methods like those listed are crucial for Michigan |
| OUTSOURCING TRANSPORTATION AT | | | | Schools, officials realize that they are just one |
| MICHIGAN SCHOOLS | | | | part of the big picture. |
| As Michigan Schools look for ways to eliminate | | | | |