Lou Steigerwald, Ed. S.
- School Superintendent in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- Plant Wrangler/Gardener
- Middling Gamer
The School to Prison Pipeline
Schools are blamed for many things and many social ills in American culture. Following the most recent school shooting in Oxford, MI, the phrase “school to prison pipeline” is rearing its ugly head again. I’ve been a school administrator in some fashion now for sixteen years, this saying is among the most offensive I’ve encountered.
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Opinion | Oxford shooting: Don’t blame high school for following state rules
“As a superintendent in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I am concerned that school officials in Oxford may be judged unfairly, considering the laws and regulations that cover Michigan’s schools.
It was inevitable that, following the horrific shooting in Oxford High School, that a search for folks and systems to blame would begin…”
Opinion | Michigan’s substitute teacher shortage hurts kids, says Up North supt.
“While Lansing dithers in getting around to putting a (hopefully) winning budget together, schools continue to struggle to find quality teachers to lead classrooms. The decisions, or lack thereof, made in the Capitol have real world outcomes on children in Michigan’s schools.”
Michigan’s Third Grade Reading Law
Michigan’s third grade reading law is here and it will have an impact on early elementary students.
Pension Plan Deceptions and DeVos Diversions
Michigan’s Republican governor and its Republican legislature are at odds over finalizing the state budget for upcoming fiscal year. The main hangup for pols is the state teacher retirement system and whether the current system should be maintained or turned into a 401k styled plan. Politicians favoring the 401k system are falsely arguing that Michigan cannot maintain the current system. Taxpayers should not be fooled. Republican leaders are following the marching orders given to them by the mega-donating DeVos family.
…Letters to Congressional Leadership
Democracy needs everyone’s participation. I wrote similar letters to Sen. McConnell and Speaker Ryan:
Dear Senator McConnell,
I am writing you today to call on you to fulfill your oath of office to protect and uphold our Constitution. The conflicts of interest on display by President Trump and members of his administration are flagrant, alarming, and dangerous to our nation and all of its citizens.
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