Schools

Grade Configuration Approved, Building Use Up Next

Farmington school board backed superintendent's suggestion for grade reconfiguration to deal with lagging enrollment, loss of state aid.

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Beth Dalbey, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

FARMINGTON, MI – The school board on Tuesday unanimously backed Farmington Public Schools Superintendent George Heitsch’s recommendation for grade configuration, a move necessary to deal with lagging enrollment and reductions in state financial aid.

Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, the district will move to a K-5, 6-8, 9-12 grade configuration, The Farmington Observer reports.

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Grade configuration is a prelude to the next step in dealing with enrollment and financial issues — deciding which school buildings to close or repurpose.

Board of Education Trustee Murray Kahn said that when the time comes to decide building use, he wants the board to look at more than the financial considerations, something the public has asked for, too, he said.

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On the list for repurposing is Harrison High School. At a Nov. 30 meeting, longtime Harrison football coach John Herrington pleaded with the board to keep Harrison High open.

“I really feel this school has such a tremendous tradition,” said Herrington, who has coached the Hawks since 1970. “You don’t want to close a high school as well-known as we are known.”

» Photo by alamosbasement via Flickr / Creative Commons

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