In education, the word “accountability” is used often and immediately prompts two deeper questions: Who is held accountable, and for what? To answer that, we must distinguish between three areas:

• The Sphere of Control: Outcomes TSD can changes through its own actions.
• The Sphere of Influence: Outcomes TSD can change through collaboration.
• The Sphere of Concern: Outcomes TSD cannot normally control or even influence.

In the Sphere of Control, we can focus on academic benchmarks such as 3rd-grade reading, 8th-grade math, and 11th-grade college readiness. While external factors like socioeconomic status impact achievement, they can be controlled for statistically. The district can—and should—be held accountable for analyzing these trends and improving our instructional outcomes.

The Sphere of Influence is more complex. These are outcomes TSD policies can shift, but they require partnership with families and students. These remain fair game for accountability, with an understanding that they require leveraging relationships to drive changes in outcomes, not just improving policies. For example:

• Chronic Absenteeism has more than doubled since 2019, rising to over 13% last year.
• Resident Market Share has dipped by 260 students, resulting in $2.8 million in lost revenue.

Finally, we must consider the Sphere of Concern. These are systemic failures nearly entirely outside local control, yet they dictate our reality:

• Demographics: Aging populations and lower fertility rates.
• Inadequate funding: TSD receives only 87% of the base funding recommended by the School Finance Research Collaborative
• The Pension Burden: 24% of our general fund operating budget is consumed by retirement contributions. To put that in perspective: For every $1 we pay in teacher salaries, TSD must contribute 50 cents toward FICA and the state retirement system, when Section 147c reimbursements are considered.

While absenteeism and market share are within our influence, none of these systemic challenges is within the district’s direct control. So, what do we do?

We must move beyond “either/or” thinking. It has to be “both/and.” The School Board must improve internal policies while simultaneously advocating for the systemic changes needed to support students across Michigan.

We cannot wait for Lansing to solve every challenge. While we fight for state-level reform, we must take ownership of what is within our reach. This August, we will have a rare opportunity to address inadequate funding and move these challenges from our Sphere of Concern into our Sphere of Control. We must ensure that, despite statewide headwinds, Troy remains a leader in excellence.

Accountability isn’t just a word for a board election: it’s a shared commitment we make as a community. I am asking for your partnership, your advocacy, and your vote this August for the enhancement millage and then for your vote in November for the Troy School District board election.