November 21, 2003
LANSING – A team of Michigan Department of Education (MDE) employees made a seemingly small, but symbolic, gesture to help the state’s budget deficit Friday when they gave the state $2,200 from an innovation award they had received.
The team of employees, from divisions throughout the department, helped create the Michigan Electronic Grant System (MEGS) to streamline the department’s vast grant-making process via the Internet. Prior to MEGS, grant specifications and applications were processed using a paper system.
The development of the program earned the team a $3,000 award from the state’s Quality Recognition System program. They used a portion of the prize to treat the entire MDE staff to a noontime pizza lunch, since many employees had a hand in the project, and decided to return the remainder to the state.
"This is an extraordinarily generous act by these employees," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Watkins. "They could’ve done anything with that money, but they chose to share it with their fellow employees and return the lion’s share back to the state because they know we are in a structural budget deficit.
"The amount may not seem significant to some, in relation to the entire deficit, but to these folks it means a lot and is indicative of the care and spirit that the Department of Education employees and all state employees have for Michigan," Watkins noted.
The MEGS team presented a ceremonial check to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm Friday afternoon in the Governor’s office.
"This is a group of people who give of themselves every day to serve the children and the citizens of Michigan," said Granholm. "And it's no secret that Michigan's state employees have been asked to give even more in these past few months. Their remarkable example of selflessness and leadership is truly an example for me, and for all of us in Michigan."
The Quality Recognition Program provides flexibility in how the MEGS development team utilizes the $3,000 award.
"The consensus of the team is that this award affords a unique opportunity to let Governor Granholm, and the citizens of the State of Michigan know about the achievement of a group of dedicated state employees who are working hard to use technology to provide labor saving systems," said project leader Mary Ann Chartrand. "The team is proud to be able to return this $2,200 to assist the State during this time of financial difficulties."
The MDE employees’ contribution was matched by a check from Agate Software, the private contractor who was the prime developer of the complex computer software system for the MEGS program.
Agate Software, a leader in web-based grant management software, is a Michigan-based company that also specializes in Web Site development, custom databases, online quality management software, and many other specialized areas in today's modern computer technology.
"We are honored to be a project partner for MDE and the state of Michigan," said Agate President Tim Pearl. "Agate's financial contribution reflects our company-wide support for the work that's being done across state government."
The Michigan Department of Education operates numerous federal grants, totaling over $1 billion annually. As a result of the grant application process, the bulk of these funds are passed through to public school districts, public school academies, colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations.
The previous system of announcing, accepting, processing, approving, and distributing the grants from a variety of federalagencies through numerous state offices was burdensome for the applicants as well as the state.
"This new system recognizes our employees’ commitment to customer service and making it easier for educators to efficiently receive the resources they need to provide a quality education for the children of Michigan," Watkins said.
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