A workgroup of lawmakers and educators is using the Legislature’s summer recess to try to develop an “early warning” for schools in financial trouble.
A year ago, two small Michigan school districts, Inkster and Buena Vista, were dissolved because they had run out of money.
State Senator Howard Walker (R-Traverse City) leads the workgroup. Walker says his goal is to create an “early warning” system that would allow the state to step in more quickly when a district shows signs of financial stress.
“The bills create a structure for an emergency manager and other processes that would go into place to protect the taxpayer dollars and protect the students’ constitutional right to an education,” he says.
A lot of school groups opposed early versions because they said it would be too easy for the state to install an emergency manager. The workgroup’s next formal meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
