School Districts Have High Hopes For 'Race To The Top' GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Michigan Radio) - Governor Granholm is expected to sign a package of school reform bills today in an effort to win federal "Race to the Top" funding. That funding could give a boost to struggling school districts.

Michigan is competing with other states to get the "Race to the Top" money. But if Michigan wins, about $400 million could be on the way for districts that have seen heavy cuts this year.

John Helmholdt, spokesman for Grand Rapids Public Schools, says his district would get at least $5.7 million.

"5.7 million in a $210 million budget is not a lot of money," he says. "But during these tough times when we're looking at $165 per pupil cut, that's a lot of money."

But before Michigan can even be considered for the funds, local school districts have to submit memorandums of understanding, signed by superintendents and union leaders. The deadline for those is Thursday.

Contact Dustin Dwyer at dtdwyer@umich.edu.

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