[Southsider2k12]

Is Mr Z from the at-large seat? I think this is going to be contested next election...

This is from the NDs article about the candidates

Three candidates are seeking one Michigan/ Springfield Township district seat on the Michigan City Area Schools Board, including incumbent Clyde Zeek.

A veteran of the Korean Conflict, Zeek holds degrees in education. A former school superintendent, he also served as executive director of the Urban Enterprise Association. Zeek frequently points to the need for parents to be actively involved in the education of their children.

William Greene is the former owner of Greene's BP AMOCO on Franklin. He has been a member of the Summer Festival Committee for years. Greene wants to board to settle its dispute with the park board over use of school facilities by community organization. He believes the school board should honor its 1982 contract with the park board.

In addition, he said he finds it difficult to determine "who's running the schools. I have talked with board members and the superintendent about an issue and they claimed they knew nothing about it.

"And the teachers need a contract," he said. "Keep the teachers happy."

Christopher Lafollette, the third candidate, did not return calls about his candidacy from The News-Dispatch.

[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=59100.64

9/19/2008 11:15:00 AM
Board votes to sue MCAS

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

Parks says school system refused to change position on facility use.

MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Park Board voted Thursday to file a lawsuit against the Michigan City Area Schools Corporation, after the school board refused to change its position on use of school facilities.

Park Board President Phil Latchford said the park board was notified of the MCAS position in a letter received Sept. 16. The Park Board had given MCAS 30 days to reach an agreement before going to court.

The board claims MCAS defaulted on an April 1988 agreement between both parties. The agreement allowed MCAS to use park land for an addition to Marsh Elementary School, in exchange for giving parks programs priority use of school facilities.

But a year ago, procedures for scheduling facilities were changed and certain park department groups were denied access. The Park Department was told the Michigan City High School gym was no longer available for adult basketball or any weekend events. The girls' basketball academy was prevented from using any facilities, under claims the activities duplicated school district programs.

Park Board member Tom Milcarek said he'd been optimistic that reaching a resolution.

"Common sense would tell you this is very easily settled because we have been doing the same things for many years," Milcarek said. "We are in a situation in which common sense doesn't seem to apply."

He cautioned school board members who are running for re-election to resolve the matter before the elections because the lawsuit "could affect who gets elected and who doesn't."

Darrell Garbacik, superintendent of the city's park department, said he is committed to assisting the board with the lawsuit.

"They tell us they're not going to change their position, but they conclude by saying they would be open to additional discussions," Garbacik said. "That's the kind of approach we've been dealing with throughout. It's their way or no way, however this board has a contract to enforce. There's no other choice for this board."



Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=43089.24

Parks gives MCAS one last chance
Letter to be sent to system before lawsuit.

MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Park Board has decided to give the Michigan City Area Schools one more opportunity to enter into mediation before filing a breach of contract lawsuit.

The unanimous decision was made at the board meeting Thursday. Park Board President Phil Latchford will send a letter to the MCAS board early next week, along with a copy of the legal complaint drawn up on the board's behalf.

A deadline for a response from the MCAS will be set for 14 days from the date of the letter.

"We've asked two times to enter into mediation and were denied," Latchford said. "I propose we offer one more time, out of fairness to the citizens of Michigan City, who are going to bear the costs. It would seem to be the only responsible thing to do for the school board to enter into mediation."

The Park Board voted in September to file a lawsuit against the MCAS after the school board refused to change its position on use of school facilities. The Park Board said MCAS defaulted on an April 1988 agreement that gave MCAS use of park land for an addition to Marsh Elementary School, in exchange for giving parks programs priority use of school facilities. A year ago, procedures for scheduling facilities were changed and certain park department groups were denied access.

Pat Donoghue, board attorney, presented a draft complaint for review by board members on Thursday. If MCAS agrees to enter into mediation, the complaint will not be filed in court. However, if the complaint goes forward, it asks the court to order both parties to engage in mediation. Other provisions in the complaint ask for the Park Department be given the same arrangements for scheduling and use of the school facilities as they've had for 20 years. The Park Board will seek recovery of its legal costs from MCAS.

Donoghue said a reverter clause in the complaint would restore ownership of the property to the Park Department, with the option of leasing it to Marsh School.

"When it comes to taxpayers spending money for this, it's a concern for the Park Board and other government units," Donoghue said. "It would not surprise me if a lawsuit like this would run tax payers about $100,000. That's a lot of money."

[Southsider2k12]

Just in case people are thinking the teachers might be part of the problem in their contract negotiations just remember this... An agency completely independent of the MCAS is having the EXACT same type of problems in the Parks Department.

[lovethiscity]

Just in case people are thinking the teachers might be part of the problem in their contract negotiations just remember this... An agency completely independent of the MCAS is having the EXACT same type of problems in the Parks Department.

Separate group and it is a separate problem. It all started when the schools denied access to the FREE use of the school gym by the Girls Basketball academy. Is this academy really a Park Dept. program? Which would entitle them FREE use of the gym. Why is our Park Dept. operating this academy in a different city? If it is a private group as the schools claim, then it does not qualify for FREE use of the school gym.

FREE use= lights on electric meter spins, heat on gas meter spins, school employees opening the gym time clock runs, insurance? administrative costs? Clean up, maintenance, wear and tear. All real costs, where does the funding come from? The school budget. Can we afford to allow the Park dept. to put added burdens on the failing school system? I think not. Could this be why two former Park Board Presidents (Joe Doyle and Bob McKee) are now campaigning for Mr. Dulaney and Bill Greene (park employee). Manipulating a school board race for the sole interests of the park dept. is so wrong.

I do believe as a community the use of facilities is good since the powers to be can't see the need of a Community Center. But to abuse the agreement between the Parks and MCAS putting a financial burden on a failing school system is a disservice to our children. Maybe it is time for the Park Dept. to take a real serious look at the YMCA.

[Southsider2k12]

I hate to say this but if it involves financing right now, forget it. Our lending system is for all practical purposes shutdown right now. All of those big grandoise plans we had for things around town are over unless we have cash to spend. Forget the northend improvements and anyone buying the YMCA to develop it, because no one is lending right now. Capital is gone.

[lovethiscity]

I hate to say this but if it involves financing right now, forget it. Our lending system is for all practical purposes shutdown right now. All of those big grandoise plans we had for things around town are over unless we have cash to spend. Forget the northend improvements and anyone buying the YMCA to develop it, because no one is lending right now. Capital is gone.

Your right! But, Michigan City is sitting on about $4,000,000 in the Boyd Development Fund as part of the riverboat agreement of suitability. This would be what was at one time referred to as the Mayor's slush fund. It would be the same fund that was used to purchase Ruby Woods. With more money added every year, could you tell me of a better use for the money. This money is supposed to be used for development projects as Michigan City sees fit. Problem is Michigan City does not seek input from the tax payer on how any riverboat money is spent, this is according to the Governor's evaluation on the riverboats.

[Southsider2k12]

Your right! But, Michigan City is sitting on about $4,000,000 in the Boyd Development Fund as part of the riverboat agreement of suitability. This would be what was at one time referred to as the Mayor's slush fund. It would be the same fund that was used to purchase Ruby Woods. With more money added every year, could you tell me of a better use for the money. This money is supposed to be used for development projects as Michigan City sees fit. Problem is Michigan City does not seek input from the tax payer on how any riverboat money is spent, this is according to the Governor's evaluation on the riverboats.

Another interesting add on to that is that the operational budget is getting a much higher percentage of the boat funds this year... in other words instead of watching spending, we are burning through what was our capital fund.

[Roger Kaputnik]

I think the boat funds are essentially steady but the overall budget is down, so the percentage of boat funds is up. Can someone check if the overall budget is down compared to the last coupl'a years?

[lovethiscity]

Another interesting add on to that is that the operational budget is getting a much higher percentage of the boat funds this year... in other words instead of watching spending, we are burning through what was our capital fund.

The Boyd Development Fund is different than the Gaming tax fund. It is part of the "Agreement of Suitability" that was barely approved by the State. (must be in place for the boat to operate) It must be used according to the agreement.

[Southsider2k12]

Interesting. I did not know that. Thanks for the info!