On page 16 A, readers can see how the Clarkston School district fared in two yard sticks the state uses to measure school districts. In every category Clarkston kids exceeded state averages. A good thing, to be sure. Yet, while we understand the state of the state of education in Michigan (where 65 percent is passing, we still call it a D), we can only deal with local issues.
We thought we should grade the district as it would grade its students. In both tests, Clarkston is graded a ‘C.? Combined, the district was able to make sure 73.94 percent of its students met state standards. Which also means 26 percent did not. (We did not include Community Education in our calculations.)
A ‘C? grade is not bad, it’s average. But, let’s face it — how many Clarkston area parents push their children to be average? Suffice to say, not many. The question we ask: Should the community push the district to be average, or better than average?
The bright spot for Clarkston, students shined in Social Studies. The district was graded an ‘A-? and ‘B+? in the MME and MEAP, respectivley.
Less bright are the grades the district earned in Math (D), Science (C), Reading (C) and Writing (D).
As we parents tell our kids, ‘Okay job, but you can do better. We want you to succeed. We want trust you. What can we do to help??

The Clarkston School District likes to tout the message that they strive to keep cuts as far away from the classroom as possible.
However, at The Clarkston News, we wonder how much closer cuts can be when seven valuable teachers are laid off?
Now, after cutting $2 million from the 2006-07 budget ? half of which required classroom consolidation ? the school board voted to approve raises for nearly 200 district employees, including Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts.
That’s right, raises. While handing out pink slips with one hand, the board handed out two percent raises with the other.
With seven teachers unemployed, now is not the time to be handing out raises to anyone, especially when the amount of the raise is, according to Vice President Stephen Hyer, ‘minuscule.?
In April, The Clarkston News reported statistics regarding teacher and administrator salaries in the district. The seven teachers who received pink slips were on the lower end of the scale (roughly around $40,000) due to the limited amount of time they worked in the district.
The raises to Clarkston Schools administrators alone cost more than $60,000 to the district, more than enough for a teacher’s salary. Now consider the other 163 employees who received raises and how many of the remaining pink-slipped teachers could be paid with that money.
Several school board members argued this pay increase is all they can afford to keep these employees from leaving for higher paying jobs.
While that may be a valid reason for giving pay raises to maintenance workers and office aides, is the board actually worried about the superintendent leaving? Of all the raises given, does the two percent really mean that much to Roberts, who already makes a ‘minuscule? $144,840 and was also given a three percent ‘incentive? in his contract for a total of $7,242?
Is this really the time for the man who beams with pride about Clarkston Schools to get a raise under the guise it is needed to keep him here?
On Monday, June 26, the school board is holding a public hearing before they approve the budget for next year. If you have ever expressed concern over how the district spends taxpayers? money, this is the meeting to attend.
Roberts will likely continue to say the district is facing hard financial times (despite a $16 million surplus) and Clarkston Schools is one of the lowest funded districts in the county when rationalizing budget cuts, but those certainly were not good enough reasons for him to refuse HIS new raise.
One would think if Roberts ? who makes more than twice the average teacher in the district and almost as much as our own Governor Jennifer Granholm ? was really concerned about the hard financial times down the road, he would graciously refuse a pay raise as long as teachers remain laid off.
Where are his priorities? ? AJD

School districts have a right to be funded, and Clarkston Schools have a right to ask voters to fund their district.
However, those requests should not circumvent the law and they should not support a decade of overspending.
This coming Tuesday, May 2, voters will decide the fate of Clarkston Schools 10-year, 19.2491 non-homestead millage proposal. The tax affects all non-homestead property owners (commercial and industrial properties, rental properties, second homes, vacation homes) within school district boundaries.
Results from the recent Clarkston News survey showed most respondents support the district’s exorbitant tax ? and most do not truly understand the tax.
The request asks voters to give up control and diminishes the ability to keep officials accountable for the next decade. This is simply unacceptable. No tax should last longer than an elected officials term in office.
Also, this request does not guarantee the district funding for the next 10 years. School officials confirmed that voters will be approached for a second millage in the next two years.
Why? To continue circumventing the effect of the Headlee Amendment, a state constitutional amendment enacted by voters in 1978.
All local governments and school districts are mandated by the Headlee Amendment to reduce their millage rates whenever assessed property values rise faster than the rate of inflation.
An important note though is that school districts and governments do not lose revenue to the ‘Headlee rollback? ? the lower millage rate is applied to a higher property value yielding the same revenue. Inflation is also adjusted accordingly.
This is also why the district has added an additional 1.2491 mills to the 18 mills allowed by the Headlee Amendment. Although the district will not collect on the overage, the 1.2491 mills will absorb the ‘rollback,? nullifying the Headlee Amendment.
The district used the same tactic a decade ago during the 90’s technology boom. With money in hand, the district continued to build and spend.
For example, in a memo dated Oct. 21, 2005 the school board approved giving ‘Employee Financial Grants?:
‘The fund balance that we have achieved is a direct result of working with people who are willing to make concessions when the district’s financial picture is bleak. This year’s budget position is significantly better than that which was projected during negotiations. It seems only fair to show our employee family that we appreciate their work to help us control costs.
‘A one-time grant of $400 will be given to current employees (hired as of 9-30) who have a scheduled work week of 25 hours or more and a $200 grant for those who have a scheduled work week of 24.99 hours or less.?
With 1,200 employees in the district, at the bare minimum the school board handed out $240,000 in bonuses. This is not contracted pay or scheduled pay. This is not pay for specific jobs. This is bonuses.
Bonuses for helping the district increase the undesignated surplus to $16.6 million. Bonuses for making concessions in the classroom while the administrators received two percent raises. Bonuses given to all staff, while only $7 additional dollars per student was given for classroom supplies and materials.
Bonuses distributed in Nov. 2005 ? when the district could have saved money by holding a vote on the two expiring non-homestead millages with other community elections.
We agree school districts should be funded, but not at the expense of the tax payers or the state constitution.
How can we support something that’s wrong? We can’t. Vote ‘NO? on the non-homestead property tax increase.

On May 2, voters will decide the fate of the 10-year, 19.2491 mills requested by the Clarkston Schools Board of Education for district operations.

In our Jan. 11 edition of The Clarkston News, we presented our reservations on this millage while the school board discussed the ballot language. We made our argument against a tax that lasts a decade and knowingly circumvents the state constitution’s Headlee Amendment. We asked for board members to approach voters for only the amount they’re legally entitled too ? 18 mills.

Still, on Feb. 13, the Clarkston School Board voted unanimously to place the excessive millage on the ballot.

Now, we find ourselves between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

While we can not openly, honestly or willingly endorse any millage that violates the spirit and letter of the Headlee Amendment, we also believe schools should be funded. Simply stated, we are not “anti-schools.”

With our own position in mind, we wonder what voters think about the proposed millage and Clarkston Schools in general. Do you agree with our view? Do you disagree?

To find out, The Clarkston News is holding a short survey of area voters to spur discussion on the millage and Clarkston Schools in general.

We will collect responses to the questionnaire beginning today, March 29, and stop on April 7. Responses to the survey will appear in the April 12 edition of The News. Names will not be collected or published.

Please fill out our on-line version. Simply click the link to on the left menu bar titled “Clarkston Schools Survey.” Responses can also be received by e-mail to shermanpub@aol.com, attn: Clarkston News Survey.

We are curious about voter opinion ? as is the Clarkston school district who recently began their own survey. Remember, there is no right or wrong ? only questions to spur ideas for open discussion.

On May 2, voters will decide the fate of the 10-year, 19.2491 mills requested by the Clarkston Schools Board of Education for district operations.
In our Jan. 11 edition of The Clarkston News, we presented our reservations on this millage while the school board discussed the ballot language. We made our argument against a tax that lasts a decade and knowingly circumvents the state constitution’s Headlee Amendment. We asked for board members to approach voters for only the amount they’re legally entitled too ? 18 mills.
Still, on Feb. 13, the Clarkston School Board voted unanimously to place the excessive millage on the ballot.
Now, we find ourselves between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
While we can not openly, honestly or willingly endorse any millage that violates the spirit and letter of the Headlee Amendment, we also believe schools should be funded. Simply stated, we are not ‘anti-schools.?
With our own position in mind, we wonder what voters think about the proposed millage and Clarkston Schools in general. Do you agree with our view? Do you disagree?
To find out, The Clarkston News is holding a short survey of area voters to spur discussion on the millage and Clarkston Schools in general.
We will collect responses to the questionnaire beginning today, March 22, and stop on April 7. Responses to the survey will appear in the April 12 edition of The News. Names will not be collected or published.
Please fill out our on-line version. Simply click the link to on the left menu bar titled ‘Clarkston Schools Survey.? Responses can also be received by e-mail to shermanpub@aol.com, attn: Clarkston News Survey.
We are curious about voter opinion ? as is the Clarkston school district who recently began their own survey. Remember, there is no right or wrong ? only questions to spur ideas for open discussion.

Clarkston school officials have a right to ask voters to approve millages, but those proposals should not include tax levies lasting a decade or plans to circumvent the state constitution.
The Clarkston Board of Education is currently discussing language for a millage proposal for the May 2 ballot and we have reservations about both parts.

The Original 18 Mills
Part of the request is to renew the 18-mill tax levy on non-homestead properties (commercial and industrial properties, rental properties, second homes, vacation homes) for the next 10 years.
By law, school districts can levy up to 18 mills on non-homestead properties to fund their operating budgets. That’s a maximum levy of 18 mills, no more.
Clarkston’s original non-homestead millage expired last year. Given this, asking voters to renew the 18-mill property tax is acceptable and within the bounds of the law.
However, we believe 10 years is too long for any millage. Keeping anything out of voters? hands for an entire decade diminishes the public’s capacity to hold officials accountable and responsible for their actions.
We would like to see the school board reduce that proposed 10 years to five years or less. How about four years? Why should a tax last longer than a school board member’s term in office?

An Additional 1.2491 Mills
The second topic Clarkston school officials are discussing is adding 1.2491 mills on non-homestead properties to the original 18 mills. This is the part that’s flat out wrong.
You see, if voters approve this one 10-year millage, the total non-homestead millage rate would start out at 19.2491 mills.
Even though the school district can only legally levy the maximum 18 mills, officials could use the other 1.2491 mills, which cannot be levied, to offset the impact of the Headlee Amendment, a state constitutional amendment enacted by voters in 1978.
The Headlee Amendment mandates local governments and school districts reduce their maximum voter-authorized millage rates whenever assessed property values rise faster than the rate of inflation. This is what’s commonly referred to as a ‘Headlee rollback.?
It’s important to note that governments and school districts do not lose tax revenue due to Headlee rollbacks because even though the millage rate is lower, it’s being applied to a higher property value, yielding the same gross revenue, plus an adjustment for inflation.
Even though Clarkston officials cannot legally levy anything above 18 mills on non-homestead properties, they could use the extra 1.2491 mills to provide a ‘buffer? or ‘cushion? to absorb and neutralize future Headlee rollbacks, thus allowing the district to levy the maximum 18 mills every year ? something they could never do otherwise because of Headlee.
Unfortunately, Headlee rollbacks apply to the total voter-authorized millage rate, not the actual amount levied. As a result, officials can pad a property tax with extra mills they have no intention of levying in order to offset Headlee rollbacks; and allow them to levy the tax rate they wish year after year with no reduction.
By asking voters to approve mills that cannot be legally levied (i.e. fake, make-believe, nonexistent mills) so as to avoid the impact of Headlee rollbacks, Clarkston school officials would be asking local voters to negate the Headlee Amendment approved by voters statewide.
Granted, other school districts in Michigan and Oakland County have done this, but it doesn’t make it right no matter what school officials and their fancy lawyers say.
In a May 8, 2002 interview with our sister newspaper The Oxford Leader, the late Richard Headlee, architect of the amendment bearing his name, told Editor C.J. Carnacchio asking voters to approve more than the maximum 18 mills ‘violates both the spirit and the letter of the law.?
‘They can’t do that. I would challenge it,? Headlee said. ‘In my view, it would be contrary to the law to ask voters for anything over the 18 (mills).?
‘If they’re entitled to 18 (mills), that’s all they should ask for,? said Headlee, explaining that by asking for more mills to use as a cushion to offset annual rollbacks, school officials are attempting to ‘prospectively neutralize? his amendment and ‘any tax savings for the property owners.?
‘The people would be foolish to do that,? Headlee said. ‘In essence, they’re asking voters to vote ‘no? on the Headlee Amendment. It’s subterfuge.?
We couldn’t have said it better Mr. Headlee.

The Real Problem
Finally, let us say, Clarkston school officials are right that they do lose money by not levying the full 18 mills every year, but it’s not because of the Headlee Amendment or because local tax revenues are diminishing. It’s because of the state government.
When the state allots its foundation grants to school districts, it assumes districts are levying the full 18 mills every year. The state bases how much per-pupil funding a district receives on the assumption that 18 mills are constantly being levied on non-homestead properties.
This foolish and false assumption on the state’s part leads to a funding gap between what’s actually collected in non-homestead property taxes and what the state assumes the district is receiving locally.
The Headlee Amendment annually rolls back all millages in growing communities like Clarkston. The only millage exempt is the 6-mill State Education Tax, which remains constant on all properties.
There’s no way school districts can legally levy 18 mills every year without resorting to the aforementioned circumventing of the Headlee Amendment.
Although this funding Catch-22 is primarily the state’s fault and should be corrected at that level, it doesn’t excuse local school districts who attempt to violate the spirit and letter of the Headlee Amendment.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Clarkston School should ask voters for the 18 mills they’re legally entitled to, but no more.

With the lack of an audience, the candidates for Clarkston’s City Council answered questions at candidate’s night anyway. The situation was similar to attendance at Clarkston City Council meetings.
The lack of presence or input from the community makes you wonder about the climate for civic participation in Clarkston.
Granted, at candidate’s night there was a last second time change that may have caused some confusion. But that excuse doesn’t explain the lack of attendance at the city council meetings. They are at the same time and place twice a month, yet the seats normally host the same crowd ? DPW, media, Chief Combs and the candidates for the upcoming election.
One could argue the size of the village does not warrant the same attention as state and national politics. One could say the size of the budget is small enough in Clarkston that the council really cannot do too much. Others may say they can see their council members raking their yards and let their voice be heard over the leaf piles.
There may be some truth to that, but the lack of voter presence does not usually bode well. All politicians, no matter the size of their constituency, need to be reminded who is supposed to be calling the shots in a limited representative democracy. Lack of that pressure too often breeds complacency and allows a governing body to lose focus.
Voter presence and the press are the two powers that remind elected officials people are watching and listening. In Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat, he expresses concern about China operating as a permanent player in the global market without a free press to keep the people informed and the government on their toes. The importance of these two powers is recognized by nearly everyone.
So while we’d all agree what is decided near Depot Park by the council each month is not going to make it in The New York Times, it’s still important.
In fact, those constituents who have felt recently like they have no voice with Washington in a polarized trance dominated by lobbyists should become more involved in local government.
Cure your cynicism about national politics on a local level. You can still follow the national stuff, but the civically responsible citizen stands more of a chance of being satisfied on the local level.
Participating in local government before national politics is just like buying a 50-50 ticket at a high school football game versus a Lotto ticket spanning the state. Comparing the two comes down to pure numbers and there’s more of a thrill, win or lose, on the local level. Your contribution is bigger in proportion and chances are you’ll know who benefits from the results.
Get out to the polls, come to the meetings. You don’t need to say anything during public comment, your presence will be noted and a strong voter turnout will be sure keep the efficiency of the board sharp ? just like the presence of the news does whether there’s an article that week or not. ? JEM

Editor’s Note: The following invitation was sent to leaders throughout Clarkston Schools.

After learning about Clarkston Community Schools? four objectives for the 2005-06 school year, The Clarkston News would like to help.
As the only community-based, all-local newspaper, we provide area residents with several news outlets ? from legal notices on school affairs to articles on classroom projects to editorials and letters on various district topics. For highly important news events, we can provide space in The Penny Stretcher, which reaches every home within the Clarkston school district.
We provide an open forum that reaches all taxpayers, district parents and non-parents alike; and we would like as many voices as possible represented. Please, utilize our pages. Talk to us for articles, write guest columns, submit letters to the editor.
With these thoughts in mind, The Clarkston News would like to broaden the ‘School Zone? column by inviting school board members and district administrators to join Dr. Al Roberts in writing for the space.
What better way to communicate school topics with residents than to have those individuals working directly on the topic discuss the subject?
The pages of The Clarkston News are always open? talk to us. Tell us the great, the difficult, the fascinating, the fun, the not so good. Allow us to help the Clarkston community understand your decision making process and the many ideas and debates that occur with every step.
Help us to make Clarkston a better community.

Sincerely,
Jim Sherman, Publisher
Don Rush, Assistant Publisher
Jenny Matteson, Editor

The depth and strength of Clarkston’s community is no accident. Over the years the area’s residents have invested in their town, and their support has made Clarkston what it is today.
In the coming months, The Clarkston News plans on showcasing the people, places and things that have in the past enhance and continue to cultivate the Clarkston area ? The Pillars of Clarkston.
While the staff of The Clarkston News covers the community each week from our offices at 5 South Main, we can not hope to understand this community better than people who have lived here their entire lives ? which is why we need the community to provide direction and focus to our Pillars of Clarkston series.
We ask that our readers, ask themselves this question: What are the Pillars of Clarkston? or Who or What supports Clarkston?
Maybe there is one easy answer ? maybe there are ten. No matter how many different ideas our readers come up with, we want to hear them.
We expect our question to resonate differently with each individual and are excited to see our reader’s ideas.
There is no form to fill out for Pillars of Clarkston. If an individual’s ideas take the form of a few short sentences or fill several pages, we want to see them. A picture, even with rampant inflation, is still worth a thousand words, so photographs to accompany ideas are greatly appreciated.
Just like a wedding or birth submission, ideas for our Pillars of Clarkston series can be brought directly to our offices at 5 South Main street ? we do not expect people to schlep three towns over to talk about their community.
For those who are not on Main Street regularly please send mail addressed to: The Clarkston News/Pillars of Clarkston, 5 South Main, MI, 48346.
Alternatively, email correspondence can be sent to: shermanpub@aol.com (please put Pillars of Clarkston in the subject line).
Any questions concerning Pillars of Clarkston can be directed to Noah Purcell at 248-625-3370 ext. 17.
The Clarkston News plans on running Pillars of Clarkston in December, but we would like to get our writers chasing leads as soon as possible and are currently accepting all ideas.

On our front page last week, our lead story started with this headline:
Judge Fortinberry faces state charges
This has caused some readers confusion. Well, actually only the word ‘charges? has caused concern. Some have argued that, with malicious intent, we threw the word charges into a headline to imply Judge Dana Fortinberry of the 52-2 District Court, here in Clarkston is guilty as charged.
Not true.
In fact, we’ll go so far as to say we hope they are not true. We like Dana. Judge Fortinberry has spent time in this community (before and continuing after her judgeship) volunteering for many causes. She is a community-minded individual in both spirit and body. But, a newspaper, no matter how big or small must report to keep the trust, confidence and respect of its community. We cannot play favorites with people we like.
In the past this policy has hurt us financially (advertisers have favorites, too and they tend to pull financial support when their favorites get whacked). This policy will hurt us in the future. Regardless, the policy stands — our community demands it.
Last week we reported on Formal Complaint No. 78 before Michigan’s Judicial Tenure Commission. In the official complaint, we read: ‘Respondent (Judge Fortinberry) is charged with violating her judicial and professional duties as set forth in the following paragraphs . . .?
Newspaper reporters, editors and headline writers are not lawyers. We do not communicate in legalese. We are, and write for Mr. and Mrs. Average American. Charge, as a noun, can be a formal claim of wrongdoing. Synonyms are: complaint, count, indictment and rap. In the real world, the one we live in and report on, the word charges does not imply guilt or innocence. It simply means somebody is being looked at and that sooner or later will be judged.
Until otherwise judged, Judge Dana Fortinberry is innocent of all charges. When the judge’s gavel falls, readers can be sure The Clarkston News will report what happens — whether we really want to or not.

Three seats are up for reelection on the Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education. The Clarkston News has heard each candidate’s reason for running, and endorses Barry Bomier, Stephen Hyer and David Lohmeier.
Running for the two-year seat are Robin Matczak, Barbara Seiltz and incumbent Barry Bomier.
The Clarkston News endorses Bomier for the two-year seat. Bomier has experience as a board member ? serving as a trustee currently and in1994. He is a fair individual who questions every issue. He listens to all sides of a matter before making his decision. Bomier detaches himself from an issue so that the final result is an even one.
The decision to endorse Bomier was difficult ? Robin Matczak and Barbara Seiltz are intelligent, strong and worthy candidates. If elected, they will serve the board well.
Matczak has shown true devotion through the entire elementary redistricting issue. She attended the board meetings and spoke whenever possible. Matczak proved that emotions can be a powerful tool.
Seiltz is the one candidate who seems to be running for the board because she truly wants to, not because something drove her to. She is active in the school district and shows concern for the schools. That said, The Clarkston News felt maintaining Bomier’s experience was a stronger selection.
Running for two four-year seats are David Lohmeier and incumbents Stephen Hyer and Ronald Sullivan.
The Clarkston News endorses Stephen Hyer and David Lohmeier.
Hyer has been a dedicated board member from the beginning. Missing only two meetings in four years, Hyer has been available and prepared to discuss important topics, and is always willing to go on the record with us, regardless of the issue.
Lohmeier is a new face with fresh ideas. He demonstrates courtesy and respect towards others, even during the elementary redistricting debate when he did not agree. Lohmeier shows great enthusiasm towards the Clarkston community and schools.
Although The Clarkston News does not endorse Sullivan, his efforts over the last eight-years have been remarkable.
Now, with the opportunity for new members, Lohmeier offers a different perspective on issues, and his outlook and new ideas can be beneficial for the district.
Voters should look at each of the candidates and what they offer. What do these people stand for and will they make a difference?
If a parent wishes to be heard and hopes for only the best educational environment for their children, then parents must put their foot forward and vote on May 3.
Every vote counts.
One vote can determine the future of the next four years of the school district.

The new Michigan election schedule has caused some confusion, despite the fact that one of the motivations behind it was to reduce voter confusion.
While an editorial on that issue would be easy, this one is to remind citizens of the earlier candidate filing deadline which comes with the earlier election date.
Having voted to participate in the state-designated election each May, the Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education will have candidates on the Tuesday, May 3 ballot.
This year’s ballot will have two regular four-year terms and a two-year term (which is the completion of the term vacated by Trustee Tony Miller last year).
The deadline to file nominating petitions for this election is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Our best understanding at this point is that nominating petitions are available at the municipal offices for City of the Village of Clarkston and Independence and Springfield townships. Petitions must be filed at the Oakland County Clerk’s office.
For more information on candidacy requirements, call the county clerk election division at 248-858-0564.
While the new system may be confusing, the need for an active election process is clear.
Having multiple choices on the ballot forces candidates to clearly express their positions on important issues, and gives voters a better opportunity to hold candidates accountable for their performance.
In recent weeks, we’ve been impressed by the willingness of many individuals to discuss issues such as the elementary redistricting process. We would like to see that expand to healthy debates on other school topics like budget and curriculum priorities which affect the quality of education in the district.
To further that cause, we urge people to consider running for a seat on the board of education. Get the needed signatures (or pay the appropriate fee) and file the required forms quickly, then let’s have a great campaign between now and May 3.

The Clarkston Coalition for Youth has developed a true community-wide coalition to launch what they call a ‘community initiative.?
With the slogan, ‘Each One Reach One’Connecting for a Better Community,? the campaign will kick off on Jan. 24 with five week’s worth of specific suggestions which can promote personal ‘connections.?
This campaign deserves everyone’s support and we want to add ours.
This initiative promotes more than just a catchy, feel-good slogan. The campaign carries a specific, long-term strategy, based on carefully researched and time-tested values of family and community.
The coalition welcomes ? and needs ? the participation of schools, churches, businesses (of every category), law enforcement, service organizations, families and individuals.
They recognize the work already being done by good-hearted people in the community. They now call for a more unified, ‘intentional? approach, however, with a role for everyone.
The ?40 Assets for Healthy Development? are worthy of detailed study, but the eight broad categories (which appear on page 22A) nicely summarize desired outcomes for both youth and adults. They balance principles of providing help to others and taking personal responsibility.
In addition to urging everyone to find practical ways to be involved, we pledge to do our part.
The Clarkston News ‘connects? with our local community, and has for the past 75 years. Our news and feature coverage is focused on the people and the events of the Clarkston area, and we believe we help promote many of these ‘healthy assets.?
We will continue to seek out news stories to accurately reflect community happenings. We will continue to seek out feature stories to highlight the good things being done by the people of our community.
We also continue to welcome items from the community for publication in The Clarkston News.
For example, our Around Town calendar and In Our Churches (on the Religion page) are available to publicize local events. Our Milestones page is available for engagements, weddings, anniversaries, births, academic honors and business achievements.
We already work with schools and service groups to produce features and photo pages. We invite everyone to keep us informed concerning special activities.
We also invite folks to call us at 248-625-3370 with specific reports of new ‘connections? as a result of this campaign. Within the limitations of space, time and the definition of news, we will do our best to report how people are reaching out.
Our product is ink and paper, but we take great pleasure in working directly with people in our community. We gladly accept the challenge to increase that effort in order to ‘connect for a better community.?

The plan to redistrict elementary schools in the Clarkston Community School District has left a number of parents? heads spinning.
For administrators in the district, the redistricting, and the many options explored in relation, is not a new topic. School officials have spent over a year forming what has become a detailed and thorough plan that did take into consideration all areas of the school district.
But we are left with one important question ? what is the sudden rush for approval? Let’s consider…
Affected parents and neighborhoods were not presented a draft plan until the week of Nov. 15. They were not informed the plan was available for review until Nov. 12 when information was sent home with students. Then the Thanksgiving holiday struck.
On Dec. 6, the Parent Advisory Team (PAT) attended a separate meeting to discuss the redistricting proposal. How many of those in attendance are affected by the plan? Were the questions, answers and comments from the PAT meeting provided to those neighborhoods affected? Then the holiday break took hold with all the normal celebrations and festivities.
Now, the board plans to review the final plan for approval at the Jan. 10 regular meeting. The official redistricting will take place at the start of next school year.
Clarkston schools has and will continue to experience many changes in the 2005-06 school year. New buildings are under construction, additions are being made, curriculums are being adjusted and much more. All of these changes are to balance and promote a better learning environment. Somehow, for many parents, the redistricting ? one of the biggest moves a child can experience ? became lost in the shuffle.
Again, what is the rush?
We would like to see the school board take an extra step for parents and neighborhoods affected by redistricting. Table a decision until the Feb. 14 meeting and hold one more public forum for those parents whose kids will be moved.
Give current and future parents one more opportunity to understand what’s happening and why. Give them the reasoning behind the decided moves again. Give them one more outlet for their voices to be heard.
Yes, this will add time and may not lead to any alterations in the plan. Yes, parents can speak at the Jan. 10 meeting before a decision is made. Yes, this will mean more work for administrators and less time to implement a final course of action. Yes, this could be simply more talk that changes nothing. Yes, this could even be chalked up as just a hassle.
And yes, this could be that one moment where everyone agrees to disagree, but in the end, school officials can sit back and know they did everything for everyone they could.
So many changes are happening throughout Clarkston schools so quickly. Several will even take effect this year. However, just because one step is finished, does not mean another should be hurried. Parent involvement and time are just a couple ways the district can guarantee ‘No parent is left behind.?
Clarkston has a wonderful school system and many residents agree their children’s education is well structured. Taking this extra step will help the board and administrators display the caring and strength of their school community.
With plenty of time til the 2005-06 school year, let’s take one more month to do the right thing.