PONTIAC, Mich. - School closing discussions are under way in Flint, Pontiac, Bloomfield Hills and Bullock Creek, according to media reports in those areas, including a plan to close up to half of Pontiac's buildings.
Looking to cut $10 million from its budget, an advisory committee in Pontiac has recommended merging the district's two high schools and hiring a private entity to run the high school operation, according to The Oakland Press. The committee also recommended several options for closing and restructuring elementary and middle schools.
In Bloomfield Hills, the school board has delayed a decision on closing two elementary schools while administrators address questions about busing and middle school configurations, also according to The Press.
The Flint Journal reported that an advisory committee has recommended closing up to 17 of 35 buildings in Flint Public Schools, including eight elementary schools, due to declining enrollment. The committee released its report to the school board but not to the public at large, a decision that angered some parents, according to The Journal. The Journal was given a copy to review.
Midland County's Bullock Creek school district will consider several ways to avoid moving into a deficit budget situation, among them a countywide enhancement millage, extending a bond millage, and closing two of three elementary buildings, according to the Midland Daily News.
SOURCES:
The Oakland Press, "Bloomfield Hills board delays closing two schools," Dec. 19, 2008
The Oakland Press, "Pontiac Central to close?" Dec. 17, 2008
The Flint Journal, "Top three recommendations all call for Flint to close Anderson, Coolidge, Freeman, Garfield, Merrill, Pierce, Summerfield, Wilkins elementary schools," Dec. 18, 2008
Midland Daily News, "Bullock Creek looks to trim $1 million," Dec. 18, 2008
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Enrollment down, charters and choice up," Sept. 30, 2008
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
Please consider contributing to our work to advance a freer and more prosperous state.