Education

Schools could benefit from a state reform of how they can spend local tax dollars

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By ALEXANDER SMITH
Capital News Service
LANSING — School districts could have an easier time paying for security systems and classroom electronics thanks to a new bill that would broaden the use of the millage they collect. The legislation would affect sinking funds, which are better than they sound. They allow voter-approved property tax to be collected and spent by a district to buy land for a new school, build a new building or repair an existing building. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Michael McCready, R-Bloomfield Hills, would also allow sinking funds to buy equipment and technology. According to a House summary of the bill, 173 districts have sinking funds.

Education

Community colleges boost out-of-state enrollments, revenue

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By SILU GUO
Capital News Service
LANSING – Community colleges in Michigan are enrolling more out-of-state students and international students, a trend that may add dollars to their budgets. Among 28 community colleges, 21 have an out-of-state and international tuition rate twice as high as in-district tuition, according to the Michigan Community College Association. For example, tuition at Lansing Community College this fall is $81 per credit hour for in-district students, $162 for out-of-district students and $243 for out-of-state and international students. Tuition at Northwestern Michigan Community College is similar: $84.60 per credit hour for in-district students, $165.90 for out-of-district students and $212.45 for out-of-state and international students. Mike Hansen, president of the association, said many colleges are targeting students who pay higher tuition rates, at least in part to solve their serious budget problems.
He said it’s hard to keep up with rising costs.