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House panel advances bill expanding grants for school consolidation feasibility studies
Summary
The House Education and Workforce Committee voted to report House Bill 4,147 to the next stage after testimony from sponsor Rep. Donnie Steele. The bill would broaden which administrative services districts may study for consolidation and makes more districts eligible for grants under the State School Aid Act of 1979.
The House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday voted to report House Bill 4,147 with recommendation after sponsor Representative Donnie Steele urged members to expand eligibility for state-funded consolidation feasibility studies.
"This bill would allow the additions to the State School Aid Act of 1979 for districts conducting school consolidation feasibility studies to be expanded," Steele said. He described the existing program as roughly $5,000,000 annually available for local districts and intermediate school districts (ISDs) to study consolidation of services and said the bill would permit studies of additional administrative functions.
The bill would explicitly allow districts to seek grants to study consolidating administrative functions including, but not limited to, duties performed by superintendents and services such as food, janitorial and maintenance operations. Steele said the maximum grant is $250,000 per district for a feasibility study and that about half the current funds remain available.
Committee members asked about funding and scope. Representative Weiss asked why districts should study consolidation when the FY26 budget passed by the House did not include funding for consolidation; Steele replied that the House had passed a contingency (backup) plan and characterized the available funds as part of the existing School Aid Act program rather than a new budget appropriation. Representative Fox asked whether transportation and the effects of nonpublic and homeschool enrollment would be included; Steele said the bill’s language is "includes but is not limited to" and could be amended to cover transportation and nonpublic providers if the committee chose.
Three supporting organizations filed testimony cards: David Randalls (Oakland Schools), Olivia Aponte (Michigan Department of Education) and Beth Deschone (organization not specified on the card); none spoke in person.
Vice Chair Linting moved to report HB 4,147 with recommendation; the committee proceeded to a roll call. The transcript records the motion and roll call but does not provide a clear final tally in the excerpt. The bill was reported with recommendation.
The bill, as presented, expands the scope of studies that can receive grants under the State School Aid Act of 1979 so local districts and ISDs can evaluate consolidating additional administrative services.
