Check It Out - Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District

Welcome to TBAISD
Carol Navarro
Allied Health Parapro, CTC
Gratitude
David Kaggwa
Job Coach, AWC
Dear TBAISD Colleagues,
I am so grateful for the
sensitivity and generosity you have shown over the
months following the accident that took my sweet
Zeke’s life. Your meals, donations, prayers, and
friendship have been a blessing. Thank you again for
reaching out. The support of my TBAISD family has
been felt.
With deep gratitude,
Becky Goodwin
A Word of Thanks
Dear TBAISD Family,
Words cannot express my gratitude and thanks for the
support you have shown to me since my mom’s passing
last month. The ISD family again rises to the top
when someone is suffering. With each day passing
another memory is reflected on the love of my mom.
A mother’s love is never lost if it is passed on. I am reminded
every day how fortunate it is to work with the
staff here at the ISD. It’s easy to take for granted those
close to you. Each of you pass on a gift of compassion,
care and love to students and colleagues every day.
Thanks for making TBAISD the Best place to be and
thank you for your support, hugs, cards, and donations
to charities in memory of my mom.
~ Renee Childers
Legislative News continued....
Michigan. Yesterday, Governor Snyder said the issue
needs “thoughtful discussion,” but today it was reported
the Governor announced he supports the issue. Some
elected leaders in Lansing clearly state they support “Right
to Work” for Michigan. Not one school leader or educator
supports this. This is clearly a counter-attack by Lansing
for proposals placed on the ballot in November. This is
wrong and unacceptable. Leave organized labor alone
and allow the collective bargaining process to continue
working.
I have known and respected our State Superintendent
Mike Flanagan for several years. After serving as an ISD
superintendent, he accepted the state’s top position under
then Governor Granholm. He is a good person who
cares deeply about education in this state. His daughter
is a successful teacher downstate. His last podcast
summarizes my feelings perfectly. To view this podcast
titled Right to Learn, go to:
http://youtu.be/AiHrzPgRzH8
Thank you to those staff members who are attending
our meetings to discuss upcoming changes and options in
health insurance for the majority of TBAISD employees.
Public Act 152 created a “hard cap” on what TBAISD,
as an employer, can contribute to employee health
care. We worked hard to find the best possible coverage
and have the premium portion fall under the hard cap.
The meetings to date have been well attended and
the dialogue has been excellent. This is a challenging
discussion that impacts all of us. The next meetings are
scheduled for Monday, December 10, 7:30 a.m. at the
TBAISD Conference Center and 3:30 p.m. at the Career-
Tech Center. Open enrollment is scheduled for December
13 and 14 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the conference center.
Please trust, I could go on about additional “lame
duck” legislative items potentially impacting our
profession and more importantly our students. December
is the time for holiday concerts, staff gatherings and
celebrations. Through the challenges, we must keep our
focus on the positive. TBAISD is a proud organization full
of dedicated people. We are able to live, work and raise
a family in a special place. As we push toward a much
deserved break, please do not lose focus on what truly is
important to you. Enjoy your family,
friends and fellow TBAISD staff
members. In the end, only those
relationships matter.
Happy holidays!
Michael J. Hill,
Superintendent
Book Signing
Tim Cusack will be holding a
book signing for his latest book
Me Too: Extraordinary Everyday
Stories That Connect Us. It is filled
with essays and stories that as you
read, you will think to yourself,
“Oh, yeah! Me Too.” Tim will be
at the Traverse City Horizon Book
Store on December 19 at 7:00
p.m. For more information go to
http://timcusack.com