Grand Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS) is a government-funded entity whose purpose is to educate children. Residents understand that the primary stakeholders are parents and children who receive the services provided by the school district. They believe money spent by the school district should benefit children. When money is spent in ways that do not benefit children, or only provide benefits to a select few, residents become confused and concerned. Frivolous spending was a reason many residents cited for voting against the May 2023 bond proposal.
On November 7, 2023, the district will ask voters to approve two new bond proposals, but have they reigned their spending? The two new proposals essentially split the May proposal in two and cut out a few busses, an item that can have significant impact on parents.
GHAPS hired the King Media marketing company to help them determine what went wrong.
King Media concluded that voters were upset by the district’s lack of transparency with the embezzlement. King Media found voters felt the district was misleading them on the future plans for Lakeshore Middle School, and voters did not appreciate that GHAPS failed to explain that expiring current bonds would result in tax decreases. King Media also found voters felt the bond proposal lacked detail and appeared more like a blank check. They determined many voters do not trust GHAPS with their money or the district’s ability to focus on the basic educational needs of children that include reading, writing and math without indoctrination.
For example, in the 2021-2022 school year, GHAPS received $249,232 in Title II money, and $71,281 in Title IV money that was spent on activities such as Cognitive Coaching, Confronting Racism, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).
Here is a comment from a resident who responded to the survey.
What King Media found in their survey was not difficult to determine. Many citizens have been speaking out to GHAPS leaders since before the outbreak of COVID-19. GHAPS could have saved a lot of money by listening to the concerned citizens that appear before them, using their three minutes of public comment each month, to share these exact concerns.
There is a big difference between needs and wants. Grand Haven residents want children to have the educational tools they need to be successful, but feel it is a waste of money to invest money in extravagant facilities and items that serve to benefit a few students or portray a certain image of Grand Haven to outsiders.
How do you determine the difference between needs and wants? Sometimes the difference changes when spending other people’s money. Sometimes technology is helpful to educate kids, but it can easily become a crutch. It can distract kids from schoolwork when they have access to YouTube and other websites, and placing assignments online makes it much more difficult for parents to stay involved with their children’s education. Just because other districts have computers for all does not mean it is necessary for education. It may be nice to have, but is really a need?
In 2014, GHAPS voters approved a 10-year, $18.9 million bond for technology. The money was earmarked to purchase a Chromebook for every student and to upgrade technology in classrooms. According to the the Forensic Audit associated with the Wheeler embezzlement, $500-$600 was budgeted for Chromebooks, but the actual cost was closer to $150 per device, resulting in a healthy surplus. That means the devices would have cost around $1,000,000.
How much money is left in this account? Did the district really spend $17.9 million on classroom technology? This account is set to expire in 2024, at which time any additional financial losses will need to be reported.
The November 2023 proposed bonds include $10 million for technology. Perhaps the district could save a lot of money on technology, and simultaneously reduce health problems such as anxiety and obesity just by taking advantage of what is available in our community? Sometimes it seems too much emphasis is placed on curriculum, computers, and outside experts. Aren’t teachers trained to develop curriculum and teach students? Why don’t we save some money by letting teachers use some of their expertise? Trusting teachers and letting them use their creativity to develop curriculum and lesson plans might just increase their job satisfaction and have health benefits for them and their students alike.