Flint, MI – April 2, 2025 – As Superintendent of Flint Community Schools, I want to take a moment to address some recent media reports regarding our ESSER 3 (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds. Some misunderstandings have suggested that Flint Community Schools is losing or being asked to return $15.6 million of unspent ESSER funds. I want to be very clear: we have not been notified of any federal request to return funds, and all ESSER 3 funds have been allocated and spent responsibly in compliance with federal and state guidelines, as well as deadlines met, by Flint Community Schools.
The confusion seems to stem from recent changes in federal policy, announced by the U.S. Department of Education on March 28, 2025. We are working closely with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to ensure that our district is not impacted by this policy change.
It’s important for our community to stay focused on the amazing work happening here at Flint Community Schools. We remain dedicated to providing the best educational experience for our scholars, and we’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in revitalizing our schools and supporting the academic growth of our scholars.
Renovations: We have successfully renovated Potter Elementary School, Doyle Ryder Education Center, Brownell STEM Academy, and Holmes STEM Academy. These schools have been transformed with state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance the learning experience for our scholars.
New Furniture and Libraries: In addition to the building renovations, every school in our district has received new classroom furniture to create modern and engaging learning spaces. We’ve also invested in Diverse Classroom Libraries to ensure that our scholars have access to books that reflect the richness of their lives and the world around them.
National Capturing Kids Hearts Recognition: Thanks to the dedication of our staff, 80% of our schools have been nominated to be National Capturing Kids Hearts Showcase Schools, recognizing the positive and supportive environment we are building for our scholars.
Athletics: We are also excited about the welcoming of Flint Community Schools Athletics into the Genesee Athletics Conference, allowing our scholars to compete for championships and gain recognition for their hard work and determination.
These efforts (just to name a few) represent our ongoing commitment to providing a top-tier education for all scholars in Flint. We will not let misunderstandings or changes concerning federal funding obscure our infrastructural improvements nor detract from our accomplishments. We remain focused on the success of our scholars and are determined to continue our progress in building a brighter future for our entire community.
Thank you for your continued support of Flint Community Schools as we continue to serve and support our scholars, staff, and families.
Press Release link: https://5il.co/3cds4