Goodrich – Musical performances accompanied picketing May 20 under the canopy of Cranberries Caf? in downtown Goodrich, as motorists honked in support.
It was one of several instances lately in which the community rallied around teachers.
Fearing cuts in the Goodrich school district’s fine arts program’including band, music, and art programs’approximately 140 students requested a May 19 meeting with school superintendent Kim Hart, showing support for the arts, and fine arts teachers.
The May 23 Goodrich Board of Education meeting was held in the Goodrich High School cafetorium in anticipation of the large crowd that turned out.More than 20 speakers took the podium, many expressing appreciation for teachers and fine arts programs.
The show of support stems from the layoff and re-assignment of teachers announced last month. Of 39 teachers laid off, 26 have been recalled, says Hart, who earlier promised no certified teachers would be laid off if teachers accepted a calendar year that’s 14 days shorter.
No action would be taken on the proposal without seeing the 2005-2006 budget, said Michigan Education Association Representative Dianne Bregenzer, who spoke at Monday’s meeting, saying the union has filed for unfair bargaining practices because the board talked to students.
Although it’s preliminary, Hart spoke with The Citizen this week, giving estimates on what programs will remain in place:
? Art, K-5
? Art, 9-12
? Band, 5-12, two instructors

What’s still being worked on:
? Art, 6-8
? Vocal
? Drama
Despite the large crowd, no one questioned budget issues during the open public hearing. Presented were food service, athletic, community education, and general budgets. Copies are available through the administrative office, or look for a review of the school budget in an upcoming edition of The Citizen.
Board members tabled a decision to accept a standard contract-extension raise and voluntary pay cuts for administrators.
The 1-percent increase is in keeping with other contracts, says Hart.
‘We try to treat all groups the same, it’s pretty much board practice,? she said.
The administrators’a group made up primarily of building principals’also volunteered to take a 2.12 percent pay decrease. Board president Michael Thorp alone voted against tabling the administrative contract extension, raise, and pay cut package.
Although Hart’s contract was negotiated when she signed on as superintendent last year, she plans on a voluntary pay cut ‘along the same lines?, but hasn’t yet discussed it with the board.