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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2017.05.10 - 22920MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #17136 BY: Commissioners Marcia Gershenson, District #13; David Woodward, District #19; David E. S. Bowman, District #10; Janet Jackson, District #21; Gary McGillivray, District #20; Nancy Quarles, District #17; and Helaine Zack, District #18 IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ELIMINATING TEACHER TRAINING FUNDING To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies, and Gentlemen: WHEREAS our nation's commitment to high quality education and success of our nation's students is essential to our democracy and our economy; and WHEREAS the original Department of Education was established in 1867 and through the Department of Education Organization Act (Public Law 96-88) of 1979 the U.S. Department of Education was recreated; and WHEREAS progress continued, as over a decade ago the Supporting Effective Instruction State Grant program, also known as Title II, Part A was established to prepare, train, and recruit high-quality teachers, principals and other school leaders, as well as other vital educational objectives; and WHEREAS Title II is the third-largest program in the U.S. Department of Education's budget directed for K-12 education with 52% of the budget allocated for professional development; and WHEREAS the U.S. Department of Education reported in August 2016 that over half of the school districts in the nation use Title II funds to pay for professional development; and WHEREAS one of the main purposes of the Title II funds is to improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals and other school leaders, along with increasing their effectiveness in improving student academic achievement in schools; and WHEREAS funds for professional development provide teachers, principals and school leadership the opportunity to advance their education, knowledge and expertise that in turn, increases their effectiveness in improving the intellectual capacity and academic achievements of their students; and WHEREAS teachers and principals across America take great pride in the academic achievements and success of their students; and WHEREAS the U.S. Office of Management and Budget recently reported that President Trump's proposed federal budget is proposing a $9 billion reduction to the Department of Education's budget; and WHEREAS in March 2017, NPR reported a $2.25 billion budget cut specifically to Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction program; and WHEREAS Michigan schools would lose more than $120 million for teacher training and other vital educational and supportive programs; and WHEREAS the director of the Michigan Department of Education's Office of Public and Government Affairs stated "we are concerned about the specific cuts to federal funds for teacher training and supports , and WHEREAS the drastic budget cuts proposed would eliminate access to highly effective programs that provide opportunities for advanced training and professional development for educators across the nation; and WHEREAS the elimination of funding for professional development directly impacts our ability to improve students' learning and prepare them for future employment; and WHEREAS the students of today are the American workforce of tomorrow and the decline in investment of the nation's teachers and public education system also result in a decline in the competiveness of America and Oakland County; and WHEREAS the investment in education is key to America's success and education begins in the classroom with our teachers. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners opposes the inexcusable slashing of the U.S. Department of Education's budget resulting in the irresponsible elimination of funding for Title II, Part A used for teacher training. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Oakland County Board of Commissioners is committed to the investment in our teachers, principals and leadership, recognizing the valuable contributions to the academic achievements of students nationwide and their future impact on America's success and competitiveness in the global economy. Commissior-Isla District,#17 Commissioner District # BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward copies of this adopted resolution to the President of the United States, the United States Congress, the Speaker of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Michigan Congressional delegation, the Governor of the State of Michigan, the State Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, the State House Speaker and Minority Leader, the Oakland County delegation to the Michigan Legislature, the Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan's Department of Education, the Oakland Intermediate School District and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners legislative lobbyists. Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolu,t46r C'ommissioner Matg/Gershenson District #13 Commissioner David E. S. Bowman District #10 Commissioner Gary McGillivray District #20 Corinlinnirr ck District #18 Commissioner District # rfissioner David Woodward District #19 Commissioner Janet Jackson District #21 Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #17136 May 10, 2017 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.