Lt. Gov. links jobs, education at summit

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MARQUETTE - Michigan's education and job forecast was the focus of Lt. Governor John D. Cherry's speech Friday at the 12th annual Upper Peninsula Education Legislative Summit.

"We believe education is a sacred cow and we will fight to protect it," he said to a room packed with education and legislative leaders at Northern Michigan University. "We must invest in education."

Cherry talked about the commission on higher education and economic growth and listed some successes achieved through implementing the commission's recommendations, including doubling the number of Michigan residents with a college degree.

"To further increase the number of students to go to college, we switched our MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) test to the Michigan Merit," he said, adding that the test complements the new and more rigorous high school graduation requirements. He also mentioned the Michigan Promise Scholarship that provides up to $4,000 to high school graduates for getting two years of post-secondary education.

"What we have done is extend our constitutional responsibility to grades 13 and 14," Cherry said.

He added that with more higher education graduates in the skilled workforce, more companies will be attracted to set up shop in Michigan.

"This administration understands the strong connection between education and the future," he said.

He also talked about challenges to Michigan's education system, especially focusing on the financial problems of school districts in rural areas. He said the current funding gap between urban and rural school districts does not make sense. However, he noted that in this year's budget process more funding was provided for busing for school districts that transport students 20 miles or more.

During a question and answer period, Powell Township Superintendent Jill Bevins asked Cherry whether the state would support her school in Big Bay as it tries to implement a Virtual High School to accommodate students who currently have to travel 45 miles to attend classes.

"I suspect the governor would be interested in a pilot program," Cherry answered. "We're open to those kinds of innovations."

Joining Cherry as summit speakers were state Sen. Mike Prusi, D-Ishpeming, state Rep. Steve Lindberg, D-Marquette, and James C. Epolito, president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.