Gov. Whitmer to Benton Harbor High: Raise scores, balance books or close
Increasing teacher pay, hiring a “highly-qualified” superintendent, achieving better standardized test scores, adopting a balanced budget — these are the type of benchmarks Benton Harbor High School must meet this next school year to avoid closure, according to new details of a tentative agreement between the struggling school district and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration.
According to an overview released by the State Department of Treasury Monday, the school district would be required to meet a variety of goals within the next academic year as a condition of being given one more year to raise student achievement and address its finances. The Benton Harbor School Board will vote on the agreement Tuesday evening.
If the district does meet agreed-upon benchmarks, the high school will be allowed to stay open as the district continues to pay down $18 million in debt and improve student performance in one of the poorest performing districts in the state.
Other benchmark examples offered by the administration include:
* Reducing the amount of money spent on “non-instructional expenditures”
* Increasing the number of certified teachers and reducing the number of long-term substitute teachers
* Increase student growth and proficiency on state and national standardized tests
* Decreasing the number of “chronically absent” students
* Requiring school board members to participate in leadership training
* Adopt a balanced budget
Read more: https://www.bridgemi.com/children-families/gov-whitmer-benton-harbor-high-raise-scores-balance-books-or-close
