Education Beat: Flint schools will not reopen to students Feb. 22: district does about face
By Harold C. Ford Following a raucous board of education meeting lasting more than three hours, officials of Flint Community Schools (FCS) decided buildings would not reopen to students on Feb. 22 as previously announced. (See Feb. 19 public statement from FCS superintendent Anita Steward at this link and printed below.) This follows months of preparation for reopening buildings for face-to-face instruction during which FCS...
City Council attempts at “decorum” and “civility” training descend into chaos
By Tom Travis Moments into Monday night’s virtual Flint City Council meeting, discussion descended into chaos and arguing over whether the public should be allowed to speak. It was a squabble which set the stage for a planned training session on decorum and civil debate. After more than an hour of wrangling, the council ultimately voted six to three to allow public speaking — the majority disagreeing with Council...
Students invited to enter Genesee Health Plan’s sixth annual Health Heritage essay and scholarship contests
Genesee Health Plan (GHP) is accepting entries through March 31 for its sixth annual Health Heritage Essay Contest from all Genesee County students in elementary grades five and six, middle school, junior high, and high school students, including students in homeschool or private schools. Winning students will receive hundreds of dollars in gift cards sponsored by Sovita Credit UnioHean. The contest encourages students to understand...
Resident participation sought in Flint Community Advisory Task Force on Public Safety Meetings
The newly formed Flint Community Advisory Task Force on Public Safety is asking residents to voice their ideas and concerns as part of its ongoing work to provide a bridge between community members and police, according to a press release from the City. Mayor Sheldon Neeley suggested the creation of the task force in response to pressure from Black Lives Matter demonstrations in and around Flint in 2020. Residents are invited to...
Genesee County Land Bank accepting applications for 2021 Clean & Green season
Applications for community groups to participate in the 2021 Clean & Green program are being accepted now through Feb. 26, according to a press release from the Genesee County Land Bank (GCLB). Clean & Green supports community-based groups in cleaning, maintaining, and beautifying otherwise vacant properties in Genesee county. Each group maintains at least 25 lots every three weeks and receives a stipend of at least $3,000. ...
Flint Public Library re-opens for browsing and computer services at Courtland Center
The Flint Public Library (FPL) at Courtland Center is reopening Tuesday, Feb. 2 for computer and genealogy services and one-hour browsing visits, the library announced in a press release issued Friday. Due to elevated rates of COVID-19, patrons had been limited to ordering materials for pick up, but will now be able to use resources, browse the collection, and visit for up to one hour in the library and its annex. Computers,...