By Jeff Salisbury jeffsalisbury@charter.net

This week, Thursday, May 21, Wayland Union High School will conduct its annual commencement followed by Hopkins High School on Friday, May 22, followed by Martin High School a week later on Friday, May 29.

One-by-one, school districts across the county, the state and, of course, the entire country will open their doors to scores and scores of newly-minted young adults who “commence” their lives. From school-to-work, or college, or vocational and career training schools and the military, each student begin to make the sorts of choices that may in fact, and often do have a lifetime of consequences.

Jeff Minock, is an alum of Howell High School (as am I) – though he graduated in 1979 and I in 1967. In one week as a teenager, Jeff survived an alcohol-related crash that killed two of his closest friends and had another friend die in a separate alcohol-related crash. He brings this powerful true story to teens to encourage them to make safer choices.

Please watch. Then watch it again with your children or your grand-children or your nieces and nephews.

Please share… share… and share… PLEASE.

Jeff Minock has a tragic but oh so important message especially THIS time of year!

“CHOICES HAVE A LIFETIME OF CONSEQUENCES”

For Jeff, his experience was unforgettable.

For you, Jeff’s message will be unforgettable.

And… my constant reminder about School board “decision-making” …

Please attend the next Wayland Board of Education meeting – SPEAK OUT! 

During the PUBLIC COMMENTS, tell Board to:

1. Question Every Aspect of the District’s Essential and Non-Essential Educational Programming and Personnel Expenditures (Needs versus Wants)
2.  Set General Fund & Casino Revenue Spending Guidelines
3. Track and Trim All Expenditures & Make Targeted Programs & Personnel Cuts As Needed

REMIND THE BOARD TO:

1. “Build ONE Budget” – combine general fund revenue (local, state and federal dollars) and Gun Lake Casino “in lieu of taxes” revenue.
2. “Pay Yourselves First” – restore the fund equity – which dipped from 15% to 7% in four years – by committing to saving 1% to 1.5% per year for AT LEAST the next 5 years.
3. “No More Loans” – resist the temptation to borrow more money on top of the $291,000 annual loan payments to United Bank for the science wing from 2015 to 2025… no loans for iPads, no loans for school buses – no more loans PERIOD.

Wayland Union Schools – Board of Education Meetings & Workshops

• May 18, 2015 Wayland Union Middle School, 701 Wildcat Drive, Wayland – 7:00 p.m

• June 8, 2015 Wayland Union Middle School, 701 Wildcat Drive, Wayland – 7:00 p.m

• June 22, 2015 Administration Building, 850 E. Superior, Wayland – 7:00 p.m

• July 13, 2015 Administration Building, 850 E. Superior, Wayland – 7:00 p.m

BOARD MEMBERS CONTACT INFORMATION:

• Nancy Thelen, President, Email: nancyboe@waylandunion.net Phone: 616-877-3098

• Tom Salingue, Vice President, Email: tomboe@waylandunion.net Phone: 269-792-2061

• Toni Ordway, Treasurer, Email: ordwayt@waylandunion.net Phone: 269-910-3297

• Theresa Dobry, Secretary, Email: theresaboe@waylandunion.net Phone: 616-681-2119

• Pete Zondervan, Trustee, Email: zondervanp@waylandunion.net Phone: 616-450-1468

• Janel Hott, Trustee, Email: hottj@waylandunion.net  Phone: (h) 269-792-0297  (c) 269-250-0286

• Gary Wood, Trustee, Email: glw_boe@yahoo.com Phone: 616-681-2120.