Education Beat: Flint Community Schools receives $35.9m to close underused facilities, ‘maximize’ use of remaining schools
By Harold C. Ford In another big number for Flint Community Schools (FCS), the Michigan Department of Education (MDOE) and FCS announced on April 24, 2025 that the school district had been awarded $35.9 million to close its “underutilized facilities.” More specifically, the money is meant for FCS “to reduce the number of active school buildings from 11 to seven by closing four underutilized facilities and maximizing the use of the...
Opinion: Mott Community College Board should back up to go forward
By Paul Jordan Mott Community College (MCC) was very fortunate to enjoy two decades of relatively harmonious leadership from its two most recent presidents, Dr. Richard Shaink and Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffia. Unfortunately, we are now in a period of drama and intrigue. In my opinion, the majority of trustees on Mott’s current Board have failed in their duty to conduct the public’s business in a transparent, ethical, and...
Education Beat: Shake-ups at highest level of government may put research funding at risk for local universities
By Nathan Waters Given a recent funding freeze and layoffs at the National Science Foundation (NSF), millions in grant money may be in limbo for the University of Flint-Michigan (UM-Flint) and Kettering University. Since its creation in 1950 to “promote the progress of science,” “advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare,” and “secure the national defense,” the NSF has supported the work of 262 Nobel Prize winners and...
Education Beat: Diminished enrollment and test data dismay Flint Board of Ed president
By Harold C. Ford “Evidently there is something missing.” – Joyce Ellis-McNeal, president, Flint Board of Education, Feb. 19, 2025 An outpouring of frustration by Flint Board of Education (FBOE) President Joyce Ellis-McNeal – fueled by persistently diminished student enrollment and less-than-average state test scores – was a centerpiece at the body’s 3.5-hour meeting on Feb. 19, 2025. Following a presentation by Wendell Greene and...
Education Beat: Last month at the Flint Ed. Board: a first step for Central, officer elections, bye bye to the balanced calendar, a $700k settlement and more
By Harold C. Ford By any measure, January 2025 was a consequential month for Flint Community Schools (FCS) and its school board. Most newsworthy, perhaps, was a kick-start to the possible reopening of long-abandoned Flint Central High School, which EVM covered earlier this month. Other important developments included the election of officers by the Flint Board of Education (FBOE), abandonment of the district’s balanced...
2025: What will the year bring in politics?
By Paul Rozycki During President Trump’s first weeks in office, we’ve seen more than 1,600 pardons; dozens of executive orders on everything from oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to withdrawing from the World Health Organization; tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China; the firing or dismissal of federal employees; pausing (and unpausing) of federal grants; and suggestions that the U.S. should take over Greenland, the...
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