Citizens for Equity Meeting Minutes -- 12/7/06

Members present: Roman Grucz, Paul Soma, Becky Travis, Dan Rice, Deb Nickerson

Paul discussed that letter writing is again a priority as the Governor should be planning the budget now to be presented in February.  The State has announced several different versions of school aide cuts, but will not finalize the cuts until January or February.

Dan suggested we begin a new letter writing campaign to the 26 largest districts who are receiving only the base grant.  We divided the list and will each search the superintendent, chief financial officer (business officer), and all the current school board members.  One goal of the mailing would be to set up informational meetings for these districts in their area.  Dan shared a map showing clusters of the targeted districts.  Roman volunteered to make presentations.  He suggested that the publicity committee meet to make the PowerPoint.  Becky will update the letter and we will once again send out a mailing. 

We would like a letterhead.  Deb will ask Wendy Kalush if she would be willing to design it.  People like the balance image.  Address should read Citizens for Equity, PO Box 45, Traverse City, MI 49685, statement to be included: Working for Equitable Funding for Public Schools in Michigan.

We wondered if there was new response to the letters sent to the superintendents.

Roman discussed bylaws.  Megan and he are still working on them.  He wanted clarification on how the group wanted to handle satellite groups.  We discussed a loose affiliation with an agreement to our mission statement (to be developed).

Paul reported that Kirk asked for an email asking for donations.  We need $300 to pay for 501 C3 financial status.  We wondered if that was the status we wanted because it seems we could not lobby under this section (because of the rule of no political involvement).  Roman will check into it and bring IRS classifications to the next meeting.

We felt that it is imperative that we meet before Christmas because of the upcoming budget decisions in Lansing.  Next meeting:  Tues., December 19, 5:30, at the Boardman office, second floor.

Minutes taken by Deb Nickerson