Teachers Picket as One of Michigan's Wealthiest School Districts Faces Big Deficit

Michigan Capitol Confidential ^ | 10/15/2010 | Michael Van Beek

[MichCapCon]

Michigan and local taxpayers provided the West Bloomfield School District with more than $13,500 per student in 2008-2009, yet it still faces a $1.7 million deficit this year and $3.8 million next year. Employee compensation makes up 85 percent of the budget, so the district has asked teachers to help close the gap with revisions to their union contract. Their response was to picket, which they did Monday night.

According to the Michigan Department of Education, the average teacher salary in West Bloomfield was $70,192 in 2009. This ranks 40th among 551 school districts in the state, and 10th highest among the 24 Oakland County districts that reported teacher salaries.

West Bloomfield teachers currently do not contribute anything towards the cost of their own health insurance premiums. The coverage costs taxpayers $20,511 for a "family plan," the most-popular, and is purchased from the Michigan Education Special Services Association, an arm of the state's largest teachers union. The district also provides employees with dental, life, long-term disability and vision insurance at no cost to themselves...

[MichCapCon]

MI ping

[rottndog]

The Education Industrial Complex continues on its’ death spiral...

[Lurker]

Over 90K in total compensation for a 9 month a year job and these greedy b******* don't want to kick in a thin dime for their 'benefits'.

Fire the lot of them and fire them now.

[jiminycricket000]

"Teachers Picket as One of Michigan's Wealthiest School Districts Faces Big Deficit"

Public school teachers = ministers of leftist propaganda. America doesn't need them anyway.

[runninglips]

Here is the teachers answer

Johnny Mickles, a field representative for the American Federation of Teachers, provided some insight at a recent state association conference: "It's my opinion, and every teacher in Michigan's opinion, that the district always has money." By "district," of course, he means "taxpayers."

Ain't that just sweeeeeet?

[cripplecreek]

I’m surprised they haven’t decided to just hold the kids hostage in the school, tossing out a body every hour untl they get their way.

[PGalt]

Interesting. Post/comments BUMP!

[Vaduz]

$1.7 million deficit look for the union label.

[FlyVet]

We see worldwide that unions are at the height of selfishness. Bankrupt? So what! Gimme more!

How can they not realize that if they continue down that road, it's economic collapse? Would they rather take a pay cut, or defend themselves against feral rioters and riot police? A "Road Warrior" scenario?

Idiots.

[MaggieCarta]

Thanks, MCC!

[SunkenCiv]

thanks MichCapCon for both of these.

• School Board Prez Says $315k Superintendent is 'Worth It'