State Rep. Donni Steele (R-Orion Township) today testified before the Education and Workforce Committee on her bill, House Bill 4147. The bill would allow administrative and service functions to be considered in a feasibility study for school districts considering consolidation. The bill is part of a larger education package introduced last week.

“This is a great opportunity for local school districts,” Steele said. “They’ll be able to better utilize their limited resources efficiently and effectively.”

Since administrative and service functions are not covered under the current law, grant funding does not cover them in a feasibility survey. Under Steele’s bill, key administrative functions such as administrative tasks performed by superintendents and their staff, as well as service functions such as food and maintenance services would be included. This would allow the School Consolidation and Infrastructure Fund to include these functions when awarding grants for consolidation feasibility studies.

“These expanded feasibility studies will allow districts to make more informed decisions on consolidation,” Steele said. “Administrative costs, food services, and cleaning and maintenance services are considerable chunks of a school district’s budget. It’s important that school districts have the tools to study the big picture and conduct the best possible study before making a decision.”

Steele is joined by several other legislators on the full education package. The bills focus on administrative improvements to school districts, waiving licensing fees for teachers, and refined curricula in the classroom.

“We’re focused on improving education in Michigan one step at a time,” Steele said. “Our kids are the priority. We need to maximize efficiency in our districts and give our educators the best possible tools to teach our children.”

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