GRPS announces partial funding restoration for four after school sites | News

The Grand Rapids Public Schools received good news from the Michigan Department of Education today that $307,035 has been tentatively awarded for four middle school sites for after school programming. The announcement comes less than a month after GRPS was informed that nine LOOP after school sites were not funded for the 2012-13 school year.

The nine sites were Congress Elementary, Palmer Elementary, Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Academy, Serhwood Park Global Studies Academy, Shawnee Park Math/Science/Technology Academy, Ford Middle, Burton Middle, Riverside Middle and Westwood Middle. Based on the state's announcement, after school programming will be partially funded with the $307,035 for Ford, Burton, Riverside and Westwood Middle Schools.

"This is welcome news and we are grateful to our friends at the Michigan Department of Education for their hard work and efforts," said Teresa Weatherall Neal, Superintendent of Schools. "While these new funds are still not enough to fully fund all four sites, we are confident that we can and will maintain a high level of after school service for as many students as possible."

Superintendent Neal noted that the district is still working on a creative solution for the other five school sites that were not funded. "We know the value of after school programming for our students and families and we are committed to ensuring that after school opportunities remain at Congress, Palmer, MLK, Sherwood, and Shawnee."