Middle Cities
Education Association
Creating Opportunities for the
Urban Learner
About MCEA
Middle Cities provides a number of cooperative services and activities which help member districts assure quality educational programs for all students.
professional development training and support for member school administrators, principals and teachers
an ongoing cooperative forum for member district administrators through a comprehensive task force structure
liaison with the Legislature and state agencies
relevant statistical data, information dissemination, and publications
conferences, workshops and meetings on current issues in education
a webpage which provides up-to-date information, connections and networking
research and program development through collaborative efforts with colleges of education, state agencies and other education organizations
property, liability, and workers' compensation self-insurance pools
energy cooperative to take advantage of cost saving opportunities from energy deregulation
BUILDING PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY
Middle Cities provides a context for substantive discussion of issues related to urban learners, continuous improvement, best practice and systems thinking. This context encourages our constituents to do in-depth planning for job imbedded implementation. Special projects and grants allow participants to engage in long-term development of plans with a network of colleagues. Special attention is given to how all stakeholders in a district can support the success of quality innovation.
A key vehicle for sharing information, ideas, expertise, and implementing programs is the MCEA "Task Force" structure. The task forces, each with representation from the member districts, meet monthly during the school year to focus on their areas of specialization and promoting success among urban learners. They are aided by MCEA staff who facilitate their efforts. The task forces play a key role in state and federal policy matters and often meet jointly to work on issues of common concern.
In its government liaison role, MCEA works to create a better understanding and support for the needs of urban school districts. MCEA staff monitor state and federal legislation and programs and provide information on the latest developments affecting member districts. MCEA organizes and coordinates responses to current issues and specific legislation and develops and promotes new policy to better serve the needs of urban students. Middle Cities has been especially active in school restructuring, finance and education reform efforts. A number of MCEA school district representatives and MCEA staff members serve on state policy committees and advisory groups, thereby affording Middle Cities direct input into state policy making.
MCEA's affiliation with Michigan State University facilitates the implementation of educational theory and research into practice in public schools throughout Michigan. Middle Cities also collaborates with state and national education associations to develop, illustrate, implement and document the intellectual and social skills needed by all students.
MCEA's monthly newsletter, Newsbrief, provides current information on state and federal legislative activity, actions of the State Board and Executive Office, current issues in education, upcoming professional development opportunities, as well as in-depth articles on such topics as systemic reform, promoting safe schools, and improving urban learning success. The Annual Report of Middle Cities provides a comprehensive review of the year's activities and a statistical/demographic analysis of Middle Cities districts based on current data. Other special publications are develop in conjunction with specific projects.
The MCEA Superintendents act as the Association's governing body. Key organizational decisions require a vote of a quorum of superintendents. A Board of Directors comprised of five members is elected for five-year staggered terms.
Charles Coleman (Battle Creek) President
T.C. Wallace (Mt. Clemens) Past President
Gerald Dawkins (Saginaw)
Daniel Evans (Jackson)
Doug Law, (Niles)
Gary Meier (Ferndale)
Raymond S. Telman, Executive Director
Patricia Alderman, Executive Assistant, Webmaster
Joe Gawronski, Executive Assistant
Shirlean Hauser, Manager of Financial Services
Alpa Patel, Accounting Assistant
Kim Taylor, Receptionist
David Zuhlke, Governmental and Legislative Liaison
MIDDLE CITIES RISK MANAGEMENT TRUST
An excellent example of the cooperative relationship among the MCEA districts is the establishment of the MCEA risk-sharing, self-insurance pool in 1987. The pool provides greatly improved property and liability insurance coverage at significant savings as well as professional risk management services. MCRMT
MIDDLE CITIES WORKERS' COMPENSATION FUND
In response to the deteriorating workers' compensation environment in the State of Michigan and the needs of our member districts, the MCEA Workers' Compensation Fund was established in 1993. The Fund's objectives are to better coordinate claims management and loss control services, increase utilization of preferred provider organizational networks, and reduce costs of excess insurance coverages. The MCWCF implemented an innovative approach to workers' disability management in 1995 through its "Return to Work" program which reduces the costs of employee work related injuries.