Informed, Transparent, Dedicated
Question 1: Why are there 29 students in my child’s third grade class and why has classroom size increased so much in East Lansing Public Schools (ELPS) over the past ten years?
See https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8BhOfPeJB23M3JXWHNoWmdsYTQ
Question 2: How does Schools of Choice affect Class Size?
See https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8BhOfPeJB23bFVPd0FyT25nYjA
Question 3: How many elementary schools can East Lansing maintain and what should ELPS do about Red Cedar school?
See https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8BhOfPeJB23WEZrNGEzcmtkQzQ
Issue 4: Wise Capital Investment in East Lansing's Elementary Schools
See https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8BhOfPeJB23TXdYOUhXYk83b3c
See https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8BhOfPeJB23M3JXWHNoWmdsYTQ
Question 2: How does Schools of Choice affect Class Size?
See https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8BhOfPeJB23bFVPd0FyT25nYjA
Question 3: How many elementary schools can East Lansing maintain and what should ELPS do about Red Cedar school?
See https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8BhOfPeJB23WEZrNGEzcmtkQzQ
Issue 4: Wise Capital Investment in East Lansing's Elementary Schools
See https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8BhOfPeJB23TXdYOUhXYk83b3c
General Statement
My name is Mike Conlin and I am running for a position on the East Lansing School Board. My wife and I have lived in East Lansing for the past eleven years and currently have a junior, 7th grader and 4th grader that attend East Lansing Public Schools. I am a Professor of Economics at Michigan State University who does research on Michigan’s K-12 education funding system. My interest in Michigan's funding system began while volunteering at East Lansing's elementary schools and observing the larger and larger class sizes. It increased after being a member of the 2011 East Lansing K-8 facilities committee. I am a candidate because my understanding of Michigan’s K-12 funding structure and my background as a mechanical engineer who worked in the construction and engineering consulting industries will allow me to make informed financial decisions, which will improve the quality of public education in East Lansing.
Having children attend Marble, Glencairn, McDonald and the High School over the past eleven years, it is clear to me that the three main strengths of East Lansing School District are the exceptional teachers, the engaged parents and the diverse student body. Like many in the community, my wife and I are very appreciative of the time and efforts that teachers and parents put forth for the benefit of our children’s academic experience. We feel incredibly fortunate that our children experience so many dedicated teachers who foster a love of learning. The ELPS community is further enriched from parents volunteering their time for Debate Club, Science Nights, Math Club, Math Nights, Carnivals and Fun Runs. The entire Glencairn community looks forward to watching the Parade of Nations at the Festival of Cultures which showcases the diversity in East Lansing.
While these three strengths make East Lansing attractive to families with school age children, ELPS has clearly experienced struggles over the past 10 years. While teacher quality remains high, parents remain engaged, and the student body remains diverse, the reductions in the number of teachers, para-pros, counselors and other specialists result in larger class sizes and less individual student attention. (In 2005, my oldest son’s kindergarten class consisted of 20 students and often a para-pro was in the classroom. A kindergarten class at Glencairn last year had 25 students and no para-pro.) These reductions are in part due to Michigan’s funding of K-12 education but also attributable to the district making uninformed decisions based on inadequate financial analysis. As an East Lansing School Board member, I will work to provide informed understanding of the financial tradeoffs associated with the major decisions the school district faces.
If I am elected to the East Lansing School Board, my five main goals will be:
Having children attend Marble, Glencairn, McDonald and the High School over the past eleven years, it is clear to me that the three main strengths of East Lansing School District are the exceptional teachers, the engaged parents and the diverse student body. Like many in the community, my wife and I are very appreciative of the time and efforts that teachers and parents put forth for the benefit of our children’s academic experience. We feel incredibly fortunate that our children experience so many dedicated teachers who foster a love of learning. The ELPS community is further enriched from parents volunteering their time for Debate Club, Science Nights, Math Club, Math Nights, Carnivals and Fun Runs. The entire Glencairn community looks forward to watching the Parade of Nations at the Festival of Cultures which showcases the diversity in East Lansing.
While these three strengths make East Lansing attractive to families with school age children, ELPS has clearly experienced struggles over the past 10 years. While teacher quality remains high, parents remain engaged, and the student body remains diverse, the reductions in the number of teachers, para-pros, counselors and other specialists result in larger class sizes and less individual student attention. (In 2005, my oldest son’s kindergarten class consisted of 20 students and often a para-pro was in the classroom. A kindergarten class at Glencairn last year had 25 students and no para-pro.) These reductions are in part due to Michigan’s funding of K-12 education but also attributable to the district making uninformed decisions based on inadequate financial analysis. As an East Lansing School Board member, I will work to provide informed understanding of the financial tradeoffs associated with the major decisions the school district faces.
If I am elected to the East Lansing School Board, my five main goals will be:
- Increase General Funds
- Improve Enrollment Projections and School of Choice Policy
- Ensure Responsible Capital Expenditures
- Regain Public Trust
- Inform Community