A district staff member informed the board that, on Thursday, May 8, the Michigan Department of Education notified the district that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a preliminary judgment revoking the U.S. Department of Education’s March 20 cutoff on an S3 certification extension. The state, joined by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, challenged the federal action on behalf of Michigan school districts.

The district said it had been awarded an S3 extension totaling $7,200,000 in November and had about $4,000,000 remaining to be reimbursed. That afternoon district finance staff (named: Nate Talbot and Cindy Chiminski) met with Kevin Walters at the Michigan Department of Education to review and submit the reimbursement request for the remaining funds. The district reported that the Michigan Department of Education confirmed the funds will be provided next week.

The presenter extended thanks to Kevin Walters and to Attorney General Dana Nessel for advocacy on behalf of Michigan public schools. The board did not take a separate vote; staff indicated they had submitted the reimbursement request and anticipated receipt of funds in the coming week.

The board requested ongoing updates from finance staff as the reimbursement is processed.