Local school districts lobby for state funding

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

LANSING — Dissatisfied with school funding cuts by state legislators, Dee Lindeman decided to put her mouth where the money is.

Lindeman, the mother of three Center Line Public Schools students and one CLPS graduate, arrived in Lansing at 6 a.m. Dec. 1 with two tents in tow, planning to stage a round-the-clock campout.

The logistics didn’t pan out precisely as planned — security informed her she’s not permitted to spend the night  — but Lindeman insists she’ll stay on the Capitol grounds from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. through Dec. 10 or until legislators restore the per-pupil and 20J funding slashed in recent weeks, whichever comes first.

“These are our kids,” she said. “Without our kids having an education, the state of Michigan’s going to die.”

Lindeman, among parents who visited Lansing Nov. 12 to meet with Senate and House officials, said she was disturbed by “the apathy that was shown by our lawmakers for this issue.”

She alleges some dismissed her because she wasn’t from “their” district, while others said they’d sit by and watch if families had to leave the state in search of decent schooling.

Legislators, Lindeman said, are playing a partisan game and using kids as the ante.

“We’re just trying to get them to work together,” she said. “We’re trying to get them to notice that people do care.”

Set up in her pair of tents — one a makeshift kitchen, the other an office — Lindeman said she’s drawn some attention.

“I have not had one negative response, I’ll tell you that much,” said Lindeman. “People have called me and e-mailed me from all over the state, supporting this.”

Even Gov. Jennifer Granholm acknowledged her, she said, though fleetingly.

“The governor did give me the thumbs up as she was entering the capitol yesterday but she didn’t stop to chat.”

State Rep. Lesia Liss, whose district includes Centerline and parts of Warren, said she’s proud of the stand Lindeman, one of her constituents, is taking.

“This lawn should be full. There’s no other way. This needs to be a big sit down,” said Liss. “This starts with one person, and she’s it.”

Liss said there are talks of $600-$900 in per-pupil funding cuts next year.

“But a lot of people are working on a solution,” she said. “I do have hope. I’m not giving up.”

Lindeman’s campout comes at a time when hundreds of parents, community members and officials from schools statewide are descending upon Lansing to lobby for adequate, stable funding for education.

Warren Consolidated Schools, Utica Community Schools and Fraser Public Schools were among local districts making treks to the capital.

Lindeman — whose eldest child also lost the Michigan Promise Scholarship due to the program’s elimination — said she hopes her crusade will inspire other parents to make their voices heard.

“They really need to hear from the parents,” she said. “I want them to know that one person makes a difference. The Legislature knows I’m out here, and I’m not going away.”

Staff Writer Heidi Roman contributed to this report.

You can reach Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1046.