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Flint board accepts Mott Foundation commitment letter for new high school over trustee objections about communications clause
Summary
The board approved, 7–1, a grant commitment letter from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for a new high school project while trustees pressed for legal review and raised concerns about a clause requiring the district to share public-release drafts with the foundation; the letter also specifies the district must raise about $35.9 million toward the project.
The Flint School District board voted to accept a grant commitment letter from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation supporting a new high school project, approving the letter by roll call with seven votes in favor and one opposed.
Trustee King and Trustee Rutherford raised concerns about a communications clause in the letter that appeared to require the district to provide copies of press releases or other public disclosures to the foundation for approval before dissemination. "I would rather have a conversation about" that clause, Trustee King said, asking whether the district would need foundation sign-off before publicizing project updates.
Trustees also discussed the fundraising terms included in the letter. The document in the board packet stated Flint Community Schools must raise a minimum of $35,925,000 in additional local support for the project. Trustee Rutherford asked whether the language protects the school’s permanent ownership and identity; administrators and trustees said the project had been discussed and legally reviewed.
Several trustees and presenters emphasized the scale of the partnership. One trustee noted a "$100,000,000 gift from the CS Mott Foundation," saying the project does not rely on bonds or property-tax increases for that portion of support. Trustees who voiced concerns said they were not opposing the project but wanted clarification and legal confirmation of language around public communications and district obligations.
The board took a roll-call vote and approved the letter; the recorded vote showed Secretary Perkins, Trustee Booth, Vice President McIntyre, Trustee King, Treasurer Luna and President McNeal voting yes, and Trustee Relleford voting no.
Board members directed administration to continue the partnership work, to ensure legal review and to confirm language on communications and the district’s long-term control of the high school before future public announcements.
