The Benton Harbor mayor lead a delegation to Lansing Tuesday. The goal is to save the city’s high school. The state has plans to shut it down over growing debt and low test scores.
The Benton Harbor School Board and community members say they have alternatives to the state’s plan. They have not been forthcoming with details.
Mayor Marcus Muhammad says he’s ready to fight the closure. He says he will halt development in the city. And possibly deny next year’s Senior PGA tournament.
“So if Benton Harbor Highs School is going to be scrapped and put to the side, then all developments will be put on the table and will come to a screeching halt.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the state is open to other solutions.
“We’ve put a thoughtful solution on the table that is a viable alternative that treasury and MDE feel addresses the outcomes for kids as well as the debt, then certainly interested in considering it.”
The mayor met with the governor this afternoon. The school board is scheduled to meet with state officials tomorrow. A deadline for a plan is set for Friday.
