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PELLSTON, Mich. - State legislators may be hurrying to meet Race to the Top application deadlines, but Pellston Public Schools officials are taking a more cautious approach, according to a report in the Petoskey News-Review.
The state is asking public school districts to sign a "memo of understanding" as part of its effort to win up to $400 million in federal education money through the Race to the Top grant competition, the News-Review reported. To get the funds, states have to show that local school districts agree to the reform measures that the state promises to make.
"The state might not get the money if the locals don't sign on," Superintendent Bill Tebbe told the board, according to the News-Review.
"When (the legislature and state officials) push something this fast, there's something wrong," Ron Wolford, board secretary, said, according to the News-Review.
The board voted unanimously to table the memo until more information is available, the News-Review reported. The state has asked districts to sign by Jan. 8, 2010.
SOURCE:
Petoskey News-Review, "Pellston
school board reduces teacher hours for elementary," Dec. 15, 2009
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "State Ignores $600 Million for
Schools," Nov. 13, 2009
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