Grosse Pointe Farms, Shores Pass Resolutions Opposing Schools of Choice Mandate

A resolution being shared among the Grosse Pointes has been approved by two more elected bodies this week. 

Both the and councils voted unanimously to approve the resolution this week during their respective meetings. 

The resolution essentially says the have become such a highly valued asset to the community because of decisions made locally by the local school board.

The resolution opposes the mandate of Schools of Choice—a program Gov. Rick Snyder has said he wants implemented in all districts in Michigan—because forcing participation "may necessitate a lower-standard curriculum to ensure graduate ratios."

on the matter last month and then the .

The Schools of Choice program is currently optional and Grosse Pointe Public Schools have always opted out of the program that allows for out-of-district students to enroll in the district. The mandate would require that all districts open enrollment to any Michigan student. 

to the state legislature last week, but according to the initial draft, the local districts will determine their capacity, effectively leaving local control in place. However, the draft could be amended at any point as the bill moves through the legislative process, according to Rep. Tim Bledsoe.

Bledsoe told Patch regarding the mandate, so an amendment is all the more likely. Bledsoe is actively campaigning against the mandate. 

Since the introduction of a draft of the bill, which is part of a larger package of bills targeting educational reform, an analysis has been written about the bill. The analysis was published Sept. 13 and outlines the changes being made to the existing Schools of Choice legislation.

Meanwhile, Bledsoe announced his plans to . The protections would include decisions made by local school boards regarding enrollment, curriculum and more plus protect fund equity balance as long as the districts were meeting certain standards.