KALAMAZOO, Mich. — It was sold to voters as a groundbreaking investment in Kalamazoo County’s kids.
However, more than six years after voters approved a $166 million dollar property tax levy to fund the Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency’s (KRESA) brand new “Career Connect Campus,” the teachers there are still working without a contract, and some students are not able to participate in hands-on learning due to recent staff defections.
“The struggle behind the scenes with not having a contract and not feeling like we can trust the administration because their actions are very different than what they tell us,” Career Connect Campus’ building trades instructor Ben Bierlein said. “What’s keeping me there are the kids.”
- Study: Record teacher certification still can’t keep up with those leaving the classroom
At issue is grievances: the process by which a teacher or staff member would be disciplined and/or terminated…