Lots going on at GRPS tonight — in light of a new offer, the board is putting off a decision on the sale of the former Lexington school building, it did vote on Houseman renovations and there are plenty of announcements of new money for preschool programs, Chavez Elementary and the arts. And another note on the negotiations for a teacher contract. More below.

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The Grand Rapids school board is putting off a decision on the sale of the former Lexington school building after a new offer came in Monday evening. Here’s a on full story that.

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Teachers union President Paul Helder told the board Monday he’s encouraged by the district’s public statement in support of the idea of the union taking over salaries and benefits for teachers and its other members in exchange for a set piece of the district’s budget. Administrators have expressed interest in the idea, though they raised questions about the figures the union was using and legal issues that could be involved. The next mediation session between school board representatives and the teachers union is set for Thursday.

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A total of nine new all-day preschool classrooms will open in the city after a $4.5 million, three-year federal grant. The new schools will be a collaborative effort among GRPS, Grand Rapids Community College, and the Hunting YMCA. The classes will be offered at GRPS’ Harrison Park Elementary, Martin Luther King Leadership Academy, Campus Elementary, Dickinson Elementary, and the new Cesar Chavez Elementary.

The programs are expected to focus on language and literacy.

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The board did vote to hire a contractor for the renovations planned for Houseman Field as approved by the finance committee. It’s ultimately part of the plan to move the district from the current four comprehensive high schools to two. GRPS will renovate that existing facility instead of building new fields for the remaining two comprehensive schools.

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Cesar E. Chavez Elementary is getting a gift from Grand Rapids law firm Barnes and Thornburg along with Wells Fargo:  $20,000 per year over the next three years to be used for “uniforms, cultural activities and special field trips.”

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District arts advocates announced that money from an upcoming Vince Gill / Amy Grant will go to boost arts programs in the district.

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Your thoughts on all of this?

Tony