AWESOME TECH / Dead in the minds of the non-believers

Katelyn:

Unfortunately, the Oakland Schools administration and Board of Education has decided not to support this superb program (see below). But take heart the true-believers in the program will continue to develop alternative strategies and the good news is you can be part of that success. I knew you were going out of town this weekend (Anna) so we will try and get together when you return. Have a great holiday and enjoy yourself. We will be looking forward to your return.

Best,

Jim

Colleagues:

Last night, during the Oakland Schools board's consideration of the budgets
for next year, I reintroduced the topic of OSMTech with whatever new
information I had obtained since the board last determined that the program
would be closed unless we could break even on revenues and expenditures;
namely,

- Clarkston would be taking over OSMtech in 2005-2006.
- Clarkston would maintain a half time program for transferring students
even though it plans a full-time program for students entering the program
when they initiate their version of it.
- Clarkston would pay 1/2 the salary of one teacher in 2004-2205.
- Parents were prepared to contribute $25,000 to keep in going..
- Parents recognized that Oakland Schools would no longer be obligated to
the program after 2004-2005.

Our figures showed that despite the parent and Clarkston district
initiative, Oakland Schools would still have to subsidize the program at the
magnitude of about $75,000 with a projected enrollment of 81. (Two districts
sending ninth graders and two not also complicated the staff assignments.)

The board advised me that their initial decision will should stand. That
means the program will close effective the end of this school year. We
promised parents months ago that no absolutely final decision would be made
until June 1. This board meeting was the one closed to that date. Students
and staff need to know their status for the fall now. Hence the finality of
this decision.

I want to thank each of you for working patiently with Oakland Schools'
administration as we tried to find a solution that was fair to the budget
conditions facing all of us, to staff at the centers, and appropriate for
the education of students over the next few years.

Let me know if I can answer any further question. I would be pleased to
discuss this issue by phone or in person if you desire.




Dr. Bill Keane
Interim Superintendent
Oakland Schools
2111 Pontiac Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328-2736