Hartland Teachers Union Organizes Coffee Klatches to Educate Community on Budget Impact

With education cuts looming in the state Legislature, the teacher's union is taking the Hartland School District's case to the community by is holding information sessions called "Coffee Klatches" this week and next week at .

"We're just trying our best to get the public informed," said Janet Muir, an eighth-grade math teacher, who was at the first one Monday that drew organizers and an elected official. "We need to help to help the children."

That official, Hartland school board member Michelle Hutchinson, said it's hard to gain traction in Lansing without parents. Hutchinson already has been bringing the message about the financial situation to PTOs, she said.

"They've heard from angry school board members, angry teachers and angry administrators, but they haven't heard from the parents or the communities," said Hutchinson, who added she was not representing the board. "It's starting to work."

Nancy Spranger, president of the Hartland Education Association, said such outreach is essential if a proposed $470 per-pupil cut is to be reduced or averted.

"We need to have the community contact legislators and voice their concerns about how the budget is going to affect Hartland and affect Michigan," she said.

For a related story about proposed state budget cuts and what the district's plans are, click here.

Upcoming Coffee Klatches

• 7-8 p.m. Tuesday
• 4-5 p.m. Wednesday
• 7-8 p.m. Monday, April 25
• 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 26
• 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 27
• 4-5 p.m. Thursday, April 28

Note: They area all scheduled at Biggby Coffee, 11325 Highland Rd.