Dearborn officials say state, federal grants now fund far more district programs; Green Schools has raised $2.7 million

At a Dearborn City School District board meeting, district grant staff told trustees the Michigan Department of Education is increasingly using restricted state and federal grants to pay for programs that previously relied on the district’s per-pupil (foundation) funding. "We're here to talk to you about changing landscape in state and federal funding in, Michigan schools and how and why this method of funding is impacting us so strongly," Lauren Imberico said.

The shift matters because the district still receives unrestricted per-pupil funding, but the presenters said that an expansion in restricted grants means more programs must match strict eligibility, reporting and timeline requirements. "Effective grant management isn't just about receiving the funds, it's about ensuring those funds are wisely used to improve student outcomes and strengthen Michigan's education system," Imberico said.

District staff said the number and dollar value of grants have risen sharply over the past decade: in 2015 the district held 33 grants worth about $28.5 million; around 2019–20 it had 55 grants worth about $38.5 million; and today it manages 115 grants totaling roughly $156,000,000. Presenters stressed that grant dollars are restricted to each grant’s purpose, and…