Statewide Panel Called For To Oversee School Openings

The head of Michigan’s State Board of Education (SBE) says the state should have a statewide entity to oversee the opening and closings of schools.

SBE President John Austin says many schools across the state are under stress due to the opening of new schools not based on need.

He says, according to the Citizens Research Council, over the last dozen years, Michigan has had a total student enrollment drop of 200,000 while the number of school districts increased from 560 to nearly 800.

Austin says there are too many schools chasing too few students and the dollars that flow with them.

He says until the state gets serious about reforming its school choice, charter and new school creation policies, Michigan will remain where it’s at with poor academic achievement and learning outcomes.

Austin testified Tuesday before a panel considering reforms to Detroit Public Schools.