BURT TOWNSHIP -- Burt Township is one of five school districts in the state classified as "isolated." Because of that, it relies on hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funding to operate.
"If we are to lose our money, there's a chance that we will have to restructure," says superintendent Penny Barney. "Our school is such that maybe we would have to cut costs with administration; honestly, I don't know what further cuts we can do."
Further cuts would mean further dependence on the intermediate school district, or ISD, which for Burt Township, is MARESA. The agency helps out with programs and services.
The proposed legislation would allow the ISD to step into a superintendent's role if needed. It's an option for smaller school districts that might not be able to afford a full-time superintendent.
"I don't expect a rush for a lot of districts to be looking for this to happen. The legislation was only enacted to clear the path for those that did want to do that," says MARESA Superintendent Steve Peffers.
At this point, Burt Township wouldn't be affected by the legislation, unless their federal funds are cut.
Burt Township district administrators are more concerned about that. Without the money, they would probably have to turn to an ISD superintendent. But that would mean the ISD superintendent would be taking on a lot of duties.
"Our smaller districts, the superintendent is also a classroom teacher as well as the business manager, the transportation director, and other services within that school district," Peffers says. "If the intermediate was to partner with the local, I don't see us taking over all of those services."
Peffers expects the bill to pass within the next month. That legislation would give him the option to take over if asked by a school board.
While Burt Township administrators say they won't mind having the option, they hope they won't have to use it.
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