May 17, 2021
Like every Michigan public school district, the Detroit Public Schools Community District is struggling with rising pension expenses caused by decades of state officials underfunding the pension system.
In 2016-17, the district had to contribute $76.5 million to the state-run pension fund for public school employees. Just three years later, the required contribution was up to $108.0 million, a 41% increase.
Despite several efforts to reform the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System over the years, the pension fund was still $33.8 billion short of the amount needed to meet its pension promises. That amount is about twice the annual revenue of the entire state K-12 public school system
Pandemic, workload, burnout pushes Michigan teacher shortage over the edge. Who will replace them?
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Michigan schools are facing more early retirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing districts to look for innovative ways to lure young teachers into job openings. (Alie Skowronski/mlive.com)Alie Skowronski | The Ann Arbor News
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A real desire to help kids learn.
In just a couple years, Helser has transitioned from artist in residence at the Shangyuan Museum of Fine Art in Beijing, China, to teaching students at Henry Ford College while also completing his student teaching through Eastern Michigan University.
“Basically, I fell in love with kids,” Helser said.
Michigan battles teacher shortage as more retire mid-year
Scripps National
and last updated 2021-02-10 07:08:39-05
(WXYZ) â A teacher shortage in Michigan is getting worse, as more educators are retiring mid-year and fewer people are entering the profession, per the Michigan Education Association.
âWeâve been seeing over the several years the enrollment in teacher prep programs drop, people leaving the classroom early, especially in the first five years of the profession, said Doug Pratt with the Michigan Education Association, a union representing thousands of teachers and public education workers in the state.
âWeâre seeing more retirements, especially during the school year, Pratt said.