DETROIT — State Senators Erika Geiss (D–Taylor) and Adam Hollier (D–Detroit) have issued the following statement standing with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as she announces a path to support Benton Harbor’s school district, and one which keeps the high schools open, with certain benchmarks and accountability measures that ensure the district educates children.
“Benton Harbor High School alumni are a proud, committed bunch, so we’re pleased to see Governor Whitmer incorporating their input and concerns — rather than trying to replace local stakeholders as the previous administration did — to fix a problem that has been decades in the making. While we realize the school district’s problems cannot be fixed overnight, it’s encouraging to see continued dialogue by all involved parties. We are hopeful that this marks the beginning of a new community-focused set of interventions that put student achievement at the forefront, and not spreadsheets.
“Unlike Detroit, Highland Park and other dissolved districts in our state, where residents had their voices drowned out, today’s announcement by the Governor is a step in the right direction for Benton Harbor. Her efforts illustrate that there is no divide between race, political party or politics when it comes to the educational needs of our children. Our communities are stronger when we have good, local public schools, and when everyone works together. Benton Harbor is just another example of how critical the Governor’s weighted-funding formula is to urban districts that have struggled.”
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Sen. Erika Geiss (D–Taylor) represents citizens of the 6th District in Wayne County that includes the communities of Belleville, Brownstown, Flat Rock, Huron, Rockwood, Romulus, Sumpter, Taylor, Van Buren and Westland.
Sen. Adam Hollier (D–Detroit) represents citizens of the 2nd District in Wayne County that includes the cities of Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and Highland Park, and the Village of Grosse Pointe Shores.