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September 26, 2025
GLPS Families,
Thank you for your support as we completed another great week of teaching and learning here at Grand Ledge Public Schools! Last week, I shared some academic data with you, and promised to spend some time over the next couple of weeks talking about the programs, processes, systems, and procedures that impact our growth and achievement. However, I will start those communications next week, so I want to focus on a quick budget update with you, as new information is hot off the presses as of last evening.
Last night, the house, senate, and the governor’s office issued a joint statement, announcing that they have reached a budget deal. One of the key aspects that impacts families directly, and has been on the minds of many of our families, is whether or not meals will continue to be free. As I write this, those details have not been released. However, at last Monday night’s board meeting, the board and our administrative team discussed our plan moving forward. Meals will continue to be free all next week for GLPS students. If the budget does not contain funding for the meals after Tuesday, September 30th, GLPS will cover the costs for Wednesday and Thursday (note that there is no school on Friday, October 3rd). By early next week (if not later today or this weekend), we will have more information on the funding for free school meals in the budget deal, and we will communicate that with you when we learn the details.
In the meantime, we have sent two communications (August 12th and September 9th) regarding school meals, reminding qualifying families to sign up for free or reduced lunch, even if lunches remain free. Our free and reduced lunch applications are tied to additional funding which helps us fund staff positions dedicated to supporting students, as well as programming like our partnership with Sylvan to provide extra learning opportunities for kids. In addition, by completing the Education & Meals Benefit Application, your child may also qualify for other benefits such as:
- Programs that assist with school fees, including the test fees for AP courses
- School sports fees waived
- Programs that provide food support
- Potential support for internet & cable
- Summer EBT money
Therefore, we ask that you please DO YOUR PART, CHECK THE CHART for income eligibility.
If you think you might qualify, please complete the Education & Meals Benefit Application. It is located at https://grandledge.familyportal.cloud/ or at the link above. Click on "Apply For Benefits" to start your application. Paper applications are also available in all school offices or by calling the food service office at 517-925-5733. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our GLPS Food Service Manager Darrin Gyurich at 517-925-5733.
As we have communicated throughout the fall, the Michigan legislature missed their legally mandated deadline of July 1st to pass a budget. The legislators who represent our school district have worked hard to ensure that the state budget supports GLPS and the work we are doing, but the state’s missed July 1st deadline has created a lot of uncertainty for us and for school districts around the state. After all, we are required to pass our budgets by June 30th. However, because of our strong teams and partnerships with our employee groups, GLPS has been confident throughout the process that our fiscal responsibility and thoughtful planning would allow us to maintain staffing and programming. That remains the case as we await the details of the deal that was announced last evening. However, as the details of the budget become known, we will no doubt have to plan and adjust, based on the funding we will receive from the state. The good news is that we can now expect to receive our regularly scheduled state aid payments in October, which keeps the district funded and operational. However, there will be a lot of work to do in the coming weeks to try to sort out the budget’s impact. Much of that is internal, but if there are impacts to programming, we will make sure to share those ASAP.
Thank you for your support and for giving us the opportunity to work with you and your children every day. We truly value the partnership that we have with you and the broader community. Remember to be kind to one another; this is an incredible school district, and we are all fortunate to be a part of it. Have a wonderful weekend, and as always, I am #proudtobeacomet!
Dr. Bill Barnes
Superintendent of Schools
