Forgive Flint’s School Debt Now: One Lawmaker’s Bid to Help the Kids Poisoned By Toxic Water
Flint, Michigan finds itself at the edge of a potential education crisis, surrounded by poisoned water and failed leadership. Sheldon Neeley, a Democrat state representative from Flint, is deeply concerned about the situation. He is publicly advocating for a significant increase in financial support for the city’s struggling schools. Neeley is urging the state to step in and assist the educators and the city’s only school nurse, who may end up bearing the brunt of the consequences of the toxic water crisis. The cost of Neeley’s proposal is estimated to be $10.5 million, equivalent to the current debt faced by the school district. He is asking Governor Rick Snyder to forgive this debt in order to free up funds that could be used for the future care of approximately 8,000 children under the age of 6 who have likely been exposed to lead from Flint’s water system.
In a statement on January 8th, Neeley emphasized the long-term effects of lead poisoning on young people and stressed the importance of providing Flint Community Schools with the necessary resources to help children succeed despite the crisis. Having spent a decade counseling at-risk youth in the Career and Technical Education program, Neeley recognizes the urgency of supporting these children and ensuring their success.
The problem in Flint began when the city switched its water supply from Lake Huron to the contaminated Flint River in April 2014. At that time, the city was under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager. The contaminated river water lacked essential anti-corrosion chemicals, leading to the leaching of lead from water pipes into residents’ taps.
The school district, with 5,400 students, has only one school nurse. Superintendent Bilal Tawwab inherited this situation when he arrived in August from the struggling Detroit Public Schools, where he served as an assistant superintendent. Although the recently signed budget bill allocates $2.7 million to hire additional nurses and provide services for early childhood and special education, Tawwab believes that this is just the beginning. He emphasizes the need for more support, including additional nurses and health centers.
Tawwab is currently collaborating with Neeley, local lawmakers, health officials, and community activists to develop plans for expanding health services in the district. He envisions each of Flint’s 12 schools having their own nurse and health center. However, the mechanics of debt forgiveness for the school district remain uncertain. The Michigan Department of Treasury, responsible for managing Flint schools’ finances in coordination with the state Department of Education, confirmed that no existing state statutes allow for debt forgiveness. It may require new legislation to address this issue.
Some question the feasibility of the proposal, considering the political landscape dominated by the Republican Senate and House. Dawn Demps, executive director of the nonprofit Urban Center for Post-Secondary Access and Success (UPASS) and a Flint native, acknowledges the positive intentions behind Neeley’s proposal but doubts its chances of being adopted.
While politicians debate over relief funding, Flint parents, students, and teachers continue to face the harsh realities of this man-made disaster on a daily basis.
Recently, she mentioned that she saw the famous rapper Snoop Dogg on a street corner in Flint, Michigan, handing out bottled water while wearing a striking red fur coat. Other well-known figures and philanthropists have also made their way to the city to distribute water. Local individuals, including athletes from Northwestern High School, have tirelessly worked to assist their fellow residents.
Fields vividly remembers a poem that one of her students recently wrote for class about life in Flint. The poem included a line that has stuck with her: "If the lead doesn’t kill you, a bullet will." These powerful words resonate with Fields as she navigates between her role as a teacher and a parent, all while living in a city deeply affected by the water crisis. She takes precautions such as showering carefully, drinking bottled water, and regularly testing her tap water for lead contamination. The school district even organized a "Family Fun Night" where children could enjoy pizza and activities while getting their blood tested for lead levels through a finger prick.
While Fields emphasizes that she doesn’t want to sensationalize the experiences of the people in Flint, she admits that existing in this city feels overwhelming in the current circumstances.
Flint students have faced difficulties even before the water crisis that brought national attention to the city’s struggles. Flint, with a population of 99,000, is known for being one of the poorest and most violent cities of its size in the United States. It is located about an hour northwest of Detroit and is home to a large General Motors assembly plant. A majority of the population, 57 percent, is black, and over 41 percent live in poverty. The median household income is $24,679, which is less than half of the state average, according to U.S. Census data.
Due to the collapse of the auto industry, Flint school officials have had to close, repurpose, or demolish numerous school buildings in the past 12 years. The growth of charter schools and an open enrollment policy in neighboring districts have also contributed to the decline in enrollment in Flint’s district schools. As a result, both the public high schools and two elementary schools are ranked among the lowest-performing schools in Michigan. Even if the schools improve within a four-year period, once they receive the designation, it remains. About 83 percent of students face economic disadvantages, and approximately 58 percent graduate.
Fields points out that the media often overlooks the determination and resilience of Flint’s youth when portraying the city as destitute and damaged. Despite living with the trauma of the water poisoning, the students at Northwestern High School have managed to persevere. They continue to face daily challenges, such as encountering crime scenes on their neighborhood blocks, which are considered a norm.
Fields, who resides in the same neighborhood as her students, sees them every day and feels immense pride in their strength. However, she recognizes that the community requires substantial support and hopes that the government will respond with compassion to ensure the well-being of all children.
Amber Hasan, a spoken word artist and mother of six, including a 1-year-old, stopped using tap water almost two years ago. In July 2015, when residents started reporting problems with E.coli and Legionnaires’ disease, she switched to using bottled water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning whenever possible. Hasan, whose three school-age children attend schools outside the Flint district, explains that her family spends nearly $300 a month on drinking water alone, without considering other necessities.
“There are days when we don’t have enough bottled water to wash the dishes,” Hasan explains. On those occasions, they have no choice but to use tap water and hope for the best.
In the midst of the crisis, the Red Cross has been assisting the state and county in delivering bottled water to every household in Flint.
Michael Moore, a documentary filmmaker and activist from Flint, has been one of the most vocal advocates for holding the Republican governor accountable for the current situation. He has requested that officials evacuate any Flint residents who wish to leave and establish a temporary water system in each home for those who choose to stay. Over half a million people have signed Moore’s petition, urging U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to prosecute Governor Snyder. Additionally, federal officials have initiated an investigation.
During his recent State of the State address, Governor Snyder apologized to the residents of Flint and recognized that the problem was a result of failures at all levels of government.
State lawmaker Neeley mentioned that Snyder has not responded to his request to forgive the school district’s debt.
When asked about the debt forgiveness proposal, Snyder’s spokesman, Dave Murray, stated that the $28 million budget bill, which includes $2.7 million specifically for the district, should only be considered the first step. He also mentioned that more assistance for Flint and its schools can be expected as part of the governor’s upcoming budget proposal.
While politicians debate budget lines, Amber Hasan will continue to ration her family’s bottled water.
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