Save The Michigan School for the Deaf

To the Honorable Governor Rick Snyder and the Honorable State Legislators of Michigan


We the Deaf people of Michigan oppose the sale of the Michigan School for the Deaf.  The Deaf people are making the utmost sacrifice.  There is no written guarantee that MSD will 'permanently' survive once the lease expires.  According to the constitutions of 1850, 1908, and 1963 the State of Michigan has an obligation to provide a place (institution) of education for Deaf children.  Therefore the sale is in violation of the State Constitution.

Mr White, the developer and the Michigan Dept of Education held secret meetings.  Even though the agreement was reached in early Spring of 2010 the sale was not announced until the start of the school year.  They rushed those proposals to the State Legislators in early November for a vote in December which passed.  The State Legislators were misled into believing the Deaf community was 100% behind the sale.  The State Legislators were  misinformed of the facts.  The input of the Deaf community was never sought.  The Deaf people were never asked if we wanted a new school or to keep and move to Fay Hall.  Again,  the agreement as written does not guarantee the survival of MSD 'permanently' once the lease expires. 

The Dept of Education has attempted for many years to close MSD.  Perhaps the sale would have never occurred if the Dept of Education had maintained the buildings regularly over the years.  The Dept of Education will be saving monies in the short term but it will eventually become costly.  Mr White bought the MSD campus at the very low cost of $1.2 million and will be receiving a $5.6 million tax credit.  The annual lease will start at $2.1 million and by the time the lease expires the annual lease will be $3 million.  Mr White will make a handsome profit once he leases and sells Fay Hall to Powers Catholic High School.  The agreement with Mr White will lead to a decline of MSD enrollment.  The additional cost of the lease will be passed on to the school districts.  If the Dept of Education had focused on increasing the enrollment numbers at MSD the cost per student would be lower.  The Dept of Education could invest the taxpayer dollars into the buildings on MSD campus and save taxpayer dollars in the long run thus keeping the costs to the school districts low.  When the lease expires will the Dept of Education finally reach its goal of closing MSD if Mr While and the Dept can not agree on the terms of a new lease especially with a lease increase?

From 1849 to 1914 people have donated or sold their property to MSD.  The deeds were very clear that the properties were for the "use" and "benefit of MSD".  The people intended for their properties to belong to MSD "forever".  The Dept of Education seems to have no problem doing as it pleases.   Why should the people of Michigan trust the State if it has no intention of honoring the original wishes of the people? 

The attempts by the Dept of Education to close MSD and the agreement between Mr. White and the Dept of Education  violated the 1963 Constitution of Michigan and the MCL.393.51

STATE CONSTITUTION (EXCERPT)
CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN OF 1963

§ 8 Services for disabled persons.

Sec. 8.

Institutions, programs, and services for the care, treatment, education, or rehabilitation of those inhabitants who are physically, mentally, or otherwise seriously disabled shall always be fostered and supported.


History: Const. 1963, Art. VIII, § 8, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964 ;-- Am. S.J.R. I, approved Nov. 3, 1998, Eff. Dec. 19, 1998
Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. XI, § 15.


MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
Act 116 of 1893
AN ACT to provide for the maintenance, management and control, of the Michigan school for the deaf, and to repeal all laws inconsistent herewith.

MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (EXCERPT)
Act 116 of 1893

393.51 School for the deaf; continuation.

 

Sec. 1.

That there shall continue to be maintained the institution located at Flint for educating the deaf and dumb, which shall be known as the Michigan school for the deaf.


We the Deaf people of Michigan ask Governor Snyder to order the Dept of Education not to sign the contract with Mr. White on June 1, 2011. and to work with the Deaf community in lowering the costs and renovating MSD.

We the Deaf people of Michigan ask our State Legislators to repeal the sale of the Michigan School for the Deaf to Mr White.

We the Deaf people of Michigan trust the executive and legislative branches to uphold the Constitution of the State of Michigan.

Representatives of the Deaf Community would like to meet with you Governor Snyder and the State Legislators to discuss this issue further and respond to any questions you may have.

 

Sincerely yours,

Warren Coryell