The Benton Harbor Area Schools board declined to vote Tuesday night to create an advisory committee for the district.
The advisory committee is a state plan, from the Michigan Department of Treasury. It would be made up of representatives from the state, the district and the community.
They would be tasked with coming up with an operational plan that would pay down the district’s debt and get students back on track academically.
BHAS board Vice President Joseph Taylor said the board wants an assurance that the state won’t start the advisory committee and then bail and try to close the district.
“While we want to work on a plan, an operational plan within six months but at the same time we want to make sure that we have some stability. Because what the community and parents haven’t heard yet was you’re not going to try to close us down.”
Taylor said the board wants to make sure all parties are represented on the committee. He said they have to iron out some more details with the state.
The board plans to vote on whether or not to form the committee at their meeting next week.
Contact Jennifer at jweingart@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @jen_weingart
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