GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — School districts across the state are dealing with a financial crisis, due to COVID-19. The state school aid fund for the current fiscal year is more than $1 billion short of projections.
This is expected to be a problem in next year's budget as well.
Monday night, the Grand Rapids Public Schools district held a special meeting to help people understand the crisis.
The revenue decline is double what it was during the recession ten years ago.
It amounts to a $650 shortfall per student.
The district will also spend $490 per student for social distancing protocols and new cleaning measures.
Right now district leaders are proposing more than $10.5 million in cuts, which could mean a reduction of more than 100 staff members, closing some schools and reducing bussing.
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