Local Schools To Get More State Funding

Mackinac County schools will receive an additional $396,961 in state funding this year under a School Aid budget that provides more per-pupil funding and additional money for lower funded districts, mathematics and science programs, and schools with declining enrollment.

All schools will receive $210 more in per-pupil funding and all middle schools will receive an additional $54 per pupil to bolster mathematics and science programs. For St. Ignace, the per pupil funding will increase from $6,875 per student to $7,085.

Geographically isolated school districts with less than 250 students will continue to receive isolated school funding at the same level as 2005. In this area, DeTour Area Schools will continue to receive $198,822, Whitefish Schools will get $215,872, and Mackinac Island Public School will be given $84,546.

The School Aid budget is $13.1 billion, $400 million more than last year. The funding increase will bring $192,205 more to the St. Ignace Area Schools budget, while Bois Blanc Pines School (with three students) will gain $630, Les Cheneaux Community Schools $85,591, Engadine Consolidated Schools $59,567, Moran Township School District $20,552, and Mackinac Island Public School $17,864.

State Representative Gary McDowell of Rudyard made the announcement of increased funding Wednesday, July 26.

"This is a huge victory for our public schools," he said, "The best way to keep moving northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula forward is to provide our students with a high-quality education so they can compete for the jobs of the future and so we can create a well-trained workforce."