Grant board votes to apply to DNR to remove deed reverter so district can pursue outdoor learning center

The Grant Public Schools Board of Education voted to authorize staff to apply to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to release a revisionary (reverter) interest on an 80-acre parcel so the district can use the land for an outdoor learning center and related facilities.

Superintendent Mr. Aiken told the board the deed contains reverter language that could return the property to the state if it stopped being used for school forestry purposes, and that district attorneys and state counsel had advised applying to have the reverter removed before proceeding with improvements. "This just gives us that ability to apply for that reverter to be removed so we can use it for other things," Mr. Aiken said.

Board members discussed the implications and thanked staff and legal counsel for the work to date. One trustee noted that approving a large construction plan before resolving the reverter could have risked reverting the property to the state; administration said the resolution was the next step in the process. The board then approved the resolution on a roll-call vote.

The resolution cites amendments to Act 451 PA 1994 and authorizes the district to apply to the DNR real estate service for release of the revisionary interest, and to establish procedures for distributing any proceeds from a subsequent sale in conformity with the cited statute. The board indicated it will continue coordination with the DNR as the application progresses.