Benton Harbor Area Schools School board pushes back vote on advisory committee

BENTON HARBOR, Mich – The Benton Harbor Area Schools School Board delayed a vote to officially form an advisory committee with the state of Michigan to the next School Board meeting.  

At the August 16^thSchool Board meeting with the Michigan Department of Treasury a partnership was discussed called an “advisory committee.” 

The potential advisory committee would include members from the state and the local Benton Harbor community and work on creating a viable plan to keep the school district operating. 

At Tuesday’s meeting the School Board and public voiced concerns about the make-up of the potential committee and the details of the advisory committee partnership.  

“They need to reassure the district and the community that we’ll be here and we will be viable,” Benton Harbor School Board Vice President Joseph Taylor said. 

The board also addressed a new deficit reduction plan to eliminate the school district’s debt by 2026.

“When you look at our budget today we just have to make sure that we stick to it so that we can reach that 2026 timeframe,” Taylor said. 

The School Board is expected to vote on the deficit elimination plan and advisory committee resolution at the September 10^thmeeting.