What KPL Aides are asking for. The actual petition from Change.org
Library aides and hourly custodians are the largest group of employees at KPL. We are a diverse group of employees and perform a wide variety of tasks within the Library, providing customer service, circulation tasks, helping with program preparation, among many other things. If you are a regular patron, you have probably interacted with us many times. We work for the library because we are passionate about serving our community. We have recently formed a union and are currently negotiating our first contract with the Library.
During our recent negotiations, KPL administration gave us a wage proposal of $12/hr, going up to $12.74 for the 2024/25 fiscal year. Not only is this not a living or a competitive wage, it is actually less than some employees are already making. These employees (who have already not seen a raise for over a year) would not see a raise until at least 2025. This is an unsustainable situation in an environment where we have seen an immense rise in the cost of living just over the past year. We feel that in these times, a wage of $15 an hour is appropriate and achievable for KPL.
KPL is a cherished institution in Kalamazoo, and we love working for the Library. But under current conditions it’s simply unsustainable for many of us. We are asking for the library to live up to its professed progressive values and compensate all employees fairly!
Majyck Radio- All four candidates in the race for Board of Education appeared at a public forum Thursday to discuss challenges facing the school system.
The forum, third in a series of 4 held at the Vine Neighborhood Association, covered several issues under the board’s purview, but highlighted budgetary priorities, school safety and curricula.
Each candidate responding to each question with time allocated for the forum. Each candidate had one-minute to respond to each question with an optional rebuttal. The next forum is October 25, 2018 at Allen Chapel AME at 804 West North Street.
Kalamazoo, MI- S.E.E Change (Social Economic and Educational Change) a group of parent advocates affiliated with Michigan United and JABS (Justice Against Bullying @ School) attended Thursdays school board
Parent Advocates
meeting to express concerns about student bullying and physical restraint of students (By staff) that have lead to cuts, bruises, muscle strains, and a concussion in the case of one student. S.E.E Change parents also expressed concerns with segregation (alternative schools) of minority students and medicating of students with disabilities.
Earl Moore spoke of an SWIS report initiated by the schools that characterized his son’s behavior in criminal terms and the report follows his son wherever he goes. Earl also spoke of his son being bullied, which lead to a change in his son’s behavior, and the behavior change leads to physical restraint (by staff) of his son on numerous occasions and his son being suspended from school in excess of 30 days. Earl also commented that “The school refused to allow my son to come back to school unless he took medication”.
Gwendolyn Hooker spoke of the brutal multiple assaults upon her granddaughter (Justyce) at the hands of two attackers. She also spoke of the seeming lack of concern from the district in addressing the issue of the assault of Justyce and other bullied students in the district.
Tammie Woods spoke of her son’s battles with depression and anxiety after multiple restraints resulted in a concussion, cuts, and his arm being twisted., Tammie also spoke of the numerous services she pursued at SLD Read/WMU to help him with his reading, services that the school should have provided but she could not get any assistance and now SLD read Director has said her child does not qualify for SLD Read services.
George White lead advocate spoke about bullying and the effects of bullying that can lead to depression, withdrawal, low self-esteem, poor grades, poor peer relationships, increases the drop out ratio and in rare cases can lead to death. Mr. White also commented on the need for Restorative Justice models that are gaining traction all around the country in addressing student bullying, Trauma Informed Care practices in classrooms and the need for improving student, parent, teacher relationships.
Kalamazoo School Board Meeting March 9, 2017
S.E.E Change is committed to returning to every upcoming school board meeting with more and more parents/parent advocate groups until there is the change that the parents seek. S.E.E Change will lead the discussion in the community about policy reform needed to reduce bullying, expulsions, suspensions, restraint and medication dependence. The goal is to return all of our children to mainstream classrooms. It should be noted that school board member Lauren Freedman expressed an interest in working with S.E.E Change to resolve some of the issues. Dr. Rice also indicated his willingness to meet with the group. No other board member commented or expressed an interest in meeting with the group.
It should be noted that school board member Lauren Freedman expressed an interest in working with S.E.E Change to resolve some of the issues. Dr. Rice also indicated his willingness to meet with the group. No other board member commented or expressed an interest in meeting with the group.
For many in SW Michigan students from elementary to college are headed back to classrooms for the start of the 2015-2015 calendar school year. Many residents and business owners welcome new and returning students and professionals to Kalamazoo.
KPS offers bus transportation to students in grades K-5 who live at least a mile from their elementary school and to students in grades 6-12 who live at least a mile and a half from their middle or high school.
Drivers will also want to take a little extra time getting to their destinations as traffic from school buses and other drivers take to the roads Monday morning.
The district does not transport students who are attending a school outside their boundary area, unless it is a magnet school.
Families who qualify for bus transportation and have not received a letter, and families who have moved, should notify the child’s school and the KPS Transportation Department at 269-337-0500.
It should be noted that school board member Lauren Freedman expressed an interest in working with S.E.E Change to resolve some of the issues. Dr. Rice also indicated his willingness to meet with the group. No other board member commented or expressed an interest in meeting with the group.
