North Central is among three districts awarded a total of $75 million in consolidation grants that “will allow the districts to more efficiently use their resources to educate children and improve school infrastructure,” the MDE stated in a news release.

The other two are Flint Community Schools in Genesee County and Union City Community Schools in Branch and Calhoun counties. The three districts chosen for grants are dealing with declining enrollment and aging school buildings.

The grants come in the wake of a recently released School Finance Research Foundation study that found Michigan needs a nearly $23 billion investment to carry out much-needed infrastructure work in schools across the state over 10 years, according to the news release.

“These consolidation grants will be transformative for the three local school districts by helping to modernize school buildings, reduce square footage, and better meet the needs of their students and staffs,” State Superintendent Michael Rice said. “Thanks to this funding from the state legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, children will experience better learning environments and districts will be able to spend their funds more efficiently. The School Finance Research Foundation study and the large number of districts that applied for the consolidation grants demonstrate the great demand for addressing Michigan school infrastructure.”

NORTH CENTRAL AREA Schools will receive more than $15.4 million in state grant funding to consolidate its junior/senior high school in Powers and its elementary school in Hermansville, shown here, into one building. (Photo provided by North Central Elementary School)

North Central plans to consolidate its elementary school in Hermansville and junior/senior high school in Powers into one building. The project will include investments in technology, flexible classroom spaces and modern amenities that support innovative teaching and learning. It also will address structural issues such as the roof, heating systems and windows, according to the news release.

“On behalf of North Central Area Schools, I want to thank the Michigan Department of Education for awarding us the Section 12d Internal Consolidation Grant,” Superintendent Travis Depuydt said. “The partnership with MDE underscores our shared dedication to quality education and secures a lasting legacy of success and stability for our students, staff and community.”

Demand far exceeded the $75 million appropriated, an illustration of the need for additional funding for school consolidation and infrastructure projects, the MDE states. Fifty-one applicants requested more than $626 million.

Funds come from Section 12d in a state fiscal year 2024 supplemental package that passed in conjunction with the fiscal year 2025 budget.

Flint, which is receiving more than $35.9 million, plans to reduce the number of active school buildings from 11 to seven by closing four underutilized facilities and maximizing the use of the remaining schools. The district will build a state-of-the-art high school to centralize secondary education and invest in significant upgrades for existing buildings.

“The opportunity to receive funding from both the Consolidated Infrastructure Grant from MDE and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation represents a historic moment for Flint Community Schools,” Superintendent Kevelin Jones said. “These investments are not just about bricks and mortar. They’re about our children, our future, and our commitment to excellence. Flint scholars will have access to a state-of-the-art high school designed to support modern learning, expanded programming, and the success of every scholar. This is more than a building. It’s a beacon of hope and possibility for our entire community.”

Union City, which is receiving more than $23.6 million, will consolidate three school buildings into two by renovating the elementary and high school facilities and demolishing the middle school. The district plans to modernize existing facilities to improve educational outcomes, enhance safety and security, and reduce long-term costs.

“We are extremely excited that this grant will enable us to provide tremendous opportunities for our students and their futures,” Superintendent Chris Katz. “The ability to keep our students safe and secure while also improving our aging facilities makes this a game-changing moment for our district and our entire community. We love our small-town atmosphere. These funds coupled with additional dollars from our voters will put us in a strong position for many years to come.”

The School Finance Resource Foundation study shows that further investments in infrastructure are critically important, Rice said in the news release.

“There is great demand for additional state funding to improve learning environments for our children,” he said. “The investments in Flint, North Central and Union City will benefit those communities for decades. We urge the legislature to appropriate additional dollars to address school facility needs and encourage school districts to consolidate when it makes sense for children.”

With more modern and more efficient facilities, the consolidation of schools and the improvement of infrastructure help meet every one of the eight goals in Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan — from improving early literacy achievement to improving the health, safety and wellness of all learners, MDE stated in the release.