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School Consolidation Grants Awarded to Support Three Projects

January 29, 2016

LANSING –Three school districts are receiving portions of $5 million in state grants this year to help defray costs in their efforts to consolidate or annex local and intermediate districts, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced today.

The state funds for the Section 22g District/ISD Consolidation Grant, initiated and approved by the Michigan Legislature and signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder, are providing competitive grants to three districts, one of which was fully-funded.

"These grants support the ongoing strategy of consolidating districts across the state where it makes sense, and streamlining their services and operations in other cases,” said State Superintendent Brian Whiston. “The grants will help increase efficiencies in school districts.”

In all, MDE received three applications requesting a total of $11.8 million.

An independent review team, consisting of internal and external reviewers, scored the grant applications. Successful grants demonstrated the most efficient and effective impact of consolidation or annexation efforts.

The two partially-funded grants, to Marshall Public Schools and South Redford School District, were the result of the total amount of funds available.

Grant awards were based on the applicant meeting several criteria, including:

  • Consolidation or annexation of two or more districts or intermediate districts occurring on or after June 1, 2015
  • Districts may spend funds allocated under this section over 3 fiscal years
  • Well-defined transition costs and completion time frame
  • Academic benefits for all students affected by consolidation or annexation

Below is the list of recipients (in alphabetical order) in the latest round of consolidation grants:

District Name

Amount Requested

Amount Awarded

Project

Galien Township School District (Berrien RESA)

$647,135

$647,135

Dissolution of Galien Township School District, attachment to neighboring districts

 

Marshall Public Schools

$6,231,584

$4,202,800

Annexation of Albion Public Schools by Marshall Public Schools

 

South Redford School District

$4,949,761

$150,000

Annexation of Redford Union School District by South Redford School District

    

The South Redford award is considered startup funds to initiate the annexation effort. The district will be eligible to apply for additional funds next year if the board resolves to pursue annexation.