Michigan’s leadership status in matters relating to the automobile industry may soon rise or fall depending on how we settle a very serious matter. Our state has the nation’s only no-fault law that includes unlimited lifetime benefits for medical expenses resulting from auto accidents.

Working together is what creates good school systems — and other systems. I have intended to have these columns be about public education and not about Greenville Public Schools. But comments in a recent Daily News editorial have prompted me to deviate in this column.

If you missed reading your local Daily News last Wednesday, May 8:

As we continue to debate the best ways to make education effective in the 21st century, I think it is important to review the history of our public schools. As early as 1647, the Massachusetts Bay Colony recognized the need for schools. It required that all towns and villages of 50 or more citizens hire a teacher to teach the children to read and write. Since that time, leaders in our country have affirmed the importance of education and when communities were formed, one of the first acts was to establish a school.

This weekend reminded us all why it’s great to be Michiganians — beautiful blue skies, tons of turtles perched on their logs around our lakes, people out and about on bikes. And nowhere was the hype of spring more apparent than at the first-ever Spring Fling for Women, organized by The Daily News at Greenville High School. More than 600 women of all ages came not only to shop and sample food, but they also learned about important health topics and got to try their hand at parking a car using hands free parking technology and they got to see some of the latest fashion trends for the spring and summer.

Amidst the floods, the fires and the manmade mayhem we’ve read and heard about so much these days, it’s not surprising our attention might be diverted from some really significant lifestyle investments we’ve been making here at home. In the recent past, or just the past week, or in the near future, this newspaper is featuring stories about inspiring community projects and their essential role in enhancing the quality of life where we live.

A recently released report from Education Trust Midwest, which describes itself as a nonpartisan policy, research and advocacy organization, expresses concern that Michigan students are losing ground on national exams when compared to their peers in other states. They believe Michigan’s strategies need retooling and more focus.

On Saturday, Greenville High School will host the Spring Fling for Women, which is being organized by The Daily News. During this event, the Food and Nutrition Services Department at GHS also will be showcasing to the Greenville Community our new cafeteria. We will be offering a lunch service very similar to what is offered to our students on a daily basis.

On behalf of everyone associated with Montcalm Community College, I am pleased to announce Thursday’s grand opening of the Bill Braman Family Center for Education located on our Greenville campus.

In recent weeks, we have discussed the Educational Achievement Authority (EAA). I have said that I am not interested in scaring people, but I believe there are some scary components of this program to improve student success in schools that have been identified as failing. There have been some improvements in the legislation that was passed in the House, but there are still issues that I would like to see addressed.