A study by Michigan State University’s Education Policy Center suggests that Michigan could save millions of dollars by restructuring its system of 550 public school districts.
The study, commissioned by Booth Newspapers, suggests two models for consolidation.
One model, creating districts organized, administered, and governed around county lines—similar to how schools are organized in states such as Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia—could save Michigan $612 million a year after three years, according to the study.
The other model, which would keep school district boundaries intact but consolidate food services, transportation, and maintenance at the county level, would save about half as much.
