Future of Midland Academy In Peril As Board Votes to Dissolve
MIDLAND, Mich. — The Midland Academy of Advanced and Creative Studies, a K-12 public charter school, formally moved to dissolve today, due to low enrollment.
“This is tragic, and the board is devastated,” reads a statement that the Academy board posted to its Facebook page after the meeting. “This is obviously the last outcome anyone would like to see for such a wonderful program.”
Board members were presented with a report analyzing the Academy’s low enrollment numbers and future possibilities at the meeting, which was written by Benjamin Jankens, a professor at Central Michigan University with a doctorate in education.
“Based on a review of various financial documentation it has been determined that the projected enrollment for the fall of 2019 is no longer adequate to sustain a strong academic program,” Mr. Jankens wrote, in part.
The vote to dissolve was unanimous. It remains unclear if the Academy will seek to reopen if enrollment numbers increase. The board’s dissolution motion is not final until it is ratified by the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees.
Current plans call for students to transition to other districts. The intent is to compensate teachers and staff for their full year of service, one official told the City Paper. He declined to go on-the-record because he was not authorized to speak for the Academy. Staff members are technically employed by the Midland Charter Initiative, a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
mike@chemicalcitypaper.com | @Westendorf
Michael Westendorf is the chairman and executive editor of Chemical City Paper. As Executive Editor, he leads the City Paper’s news coverage and editorial team.
Think maybe Dow getting to close the closest route to the school might have something to do about it?