Plans for a new school year are now set in place

A final plan for the new school year has been approved by the state. For the most part, students will be learning at home via the internet. However, teachers will be available at schools for extra help that is needed.

By Charles Sercombe
Yes, Hamtramck Public School students will have school this fall.
But they won’t be in classrooms. Instead, they will continue with virtual learning, just where they left off in June when school let out.
Hamtramck Public Schools will offer in-person assistance for students, and its buildings will be open.
But there is one change coming.
In a bi-partisan agreement, finalized on Tuesday between state lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the state funding formula for schools is changing.
Instead of basing per-pupil funding on how many students show up on a count day, as well as later in the year, there will be a new formula.
Now, state funding will be split, with 75 percent based on the number of students who attended last year, and 25 percent based on those who are active in remote learning.
Twenty five percent of last year’s per-pupil funding equals $6 million.
Last year, Hamtramck received $8,111 in per pupil funding. With about 3,000 students, that amounted to over $24 million in state aid.
Besides the possibility of a severe financial hit, Hamtramck Schools Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed was not pleased with the new school-year plan that the state came up with.
“I have significant concerns regarding the requirements included in the ‘Return to Learn’ legislation that passed in the House yesterday,” Ahmed said in an email to The Review, after state legislators approved the school plan on Monday.
“The legislature has once again failed to understand and address the challenges schools are facing as we strive to provide a safe and successful return to school during these unprecedented times.
“This process failed to adequately include superintendents in the development of the plan, and the legislation creates additional barriers to student success.
“Rather than focusing on providing the resources needed to cover the significant costs districts will face in reopening safely, the legislature has chosen to add additional and unhelpful accountability requirements. HPS has significant accountability measures already in place, and we believe this legislation is not in the best interest of schools or students at this time.”
Another aspect of the state plan includes over $50 million in hazard pay for teachers.
While the district may have to brace for a state funding decrease, the state is also facing a loss of $3 billion from a decrease in tax revenues – all due to the economic crash from the coronavirus pandemic.
In the meantime, the district outlined what students and parents can expect this fall.
The plan includes:
• Real-time, live instruction
• Screening tools to identify students in need of additional support
• Mentors for students who need additional support, and to monitor for attendance, assignment submission, and progress as needed
• Parent Liaison and School and Community Facilitators to connect parents and students to resources
• Breakfast and lunch programs, including weekend days
Posted Aug. 21, 2020