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 - Page 22 -Trends/Areas of Concern – Newaygo county, like most of rural Michigan does not have up-to-date available telephone service. There is no competition for telephone service in our county and, in our case Ameritech will not be updating the local central office to provide the new telephone features. (Example – Caller line ID is not available in the Newaygo dialing area, with Integrated Services Dedicated Network (ISDN), Primary Rate Interface (PRI) or Basic Rate Interface (BRI) also not available in the county.) Some of these services are available if the customer wishes to pay to have the circuit back-hauled from Comstock Park at $15 per mile per month. This creates a situation were telecommunication services from Ameritech could cost a rural school district or business 400% more than a similar business in a suburban community. Technology is expensive, and so is employing the skilled personnel necessary to keep a school or community running smoothly. Few school districts are financially prepared to adequately maintain the state-of-the-art deployment of voice, video, and data technology that is necessary to ensure appropriate educational opportunities for students, staff, and communities. Alternative funding plans to support these technologies need to be developed. To date, no data wireless data solutions are available to the county. Multiple wireless cellular systems offer services. Only one digital wireless phone service is provided in the Fremont area. Two technologies, wireless data and the availability of DSL (high speed data service over copper) phone service will be most likely available within two years. These two technologies will impact our community. It will allow individuals to have high speed Internet access from remote locations, and the availability for NCATS to consolidate increased data traffic and then distribute it through a large Internet circuit. Staffing of skilled and dependable personnel to teach in our classrooms, personnel to manage our school operations and personnel to operate and maintain technology will continue to be difficult. This will be in part due to the overall demand of these individuals by the business community, but also the salary range that will be required to attract and keep these people. Schools have traditionally not been quick to adapt or change; it may be necessary to consider new models of operation to provide service and direction. This is not to imply "knee jerk" planning should replace current or broad-based educational programs. E. Political-Legal Sub-standard housing in various parts of the region is a universal concern. Many would argue that the foundation for improved housing for some residents begins with effective zoning. This is particularly critical in rural areas where people move to escape restrictions, feel greater independence and have especially strong feelings about individual property rights. Charter schools began in Michigan in 1994 with eight being commissioned, which attracted about 1200 students. During the 2000-01 school year, it is anticipated that as many as 200 charter schools will be operating with a combined enrollment in excess of 57,000 pupils. Charter schools are less prevalent in rural areas of Michigan and this five county region has just one in operation - Crossroads Charter Academy in Big Rapids. Classes began with the fall semester in 1998 with 329 students enrolled in grades K-8 during its first school year. Consistent with its plan, Crossroads Academy is adding a grade each year and will offer a K-10 program this fall. Among the Governor=s avowed intents was his desire to create competition among schools much like exists among businesses in the private sector. Crossroads Charter Academy enrolled 387 students its second year and anticipates about 450 students in attendance during 2000-01. Of its 461 students enrolled for the fall 2000 semester, Crossroads Charter Academy will be drawing students from 8 school districts within the region: Baldwin, 6; Big Rapids, 244 (includes approximately 50 parochial/home schooled students); Chippewa Hills, 4; Evart, 7; Morley, 45; Pine River, 10; Reed City, 128 (includes approximately 45 parochial/home schooled students); White Cloud, 13. Many have believed that charter schools only attract children of more affluent parents. During its first year of operation, 52.9% of the students at Crossroads Charter Academy were receiving free and reduced lunch. |