GRPS has offered teachers a new deal — but the union president doesn’t see much new to like.

Still, administrators cite the fact that both sides came together on naming a “fact-finder” a sign of progress.

They agreed on a state-funded, independent fact-finder early last week, according to GRPS adminstrators. But the fact-finder they selected won’t be available until next spring. (more…)

Sitting in the Ford Fieldhouse right now getting ready for the McCain-Palin town hall — and an email from the state Dept. of Ed. caught my attention. (more…)

Students at Forest Hills Eastern High School are organizing a voter registration drive with help from teachers and Ada Township leaders, according to a statement from the district. (more…)

If you see a school-aged student out of school on this fall’s state student “count day,” GRPS has two phone numbers you can call.

It’s just one step West Michigan’s largest school district is taking to make sure as many students are in their seats as possible when the state takes its twice annual student count. (more…)

The start of the 2008-09 regular school year brings with it the start of new school programs and some new school bulidings.

At GRPS, the new Dickinson Elementary building is open alongside significantly renovated Burton and Kent Hills buildings. And the district’s old Vandenberg Elementary building, at Lafayette Avenue and Wealthy Street SE, now houses the Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy (GRUPA). The middle and high school — accepting sixth- and seventh-graders this year — is modeled after a college prep program in Detroit that administrators say has been very successful.

The Grand Rapids area’s first charter high school opened its doors Tuesday as well. Administrators at Grand River Preparatory Academy, on 52nd Street just east of Division Avenue in Kentwood, say they plan to build the school around technology.

I’ll be at the school board meeting tonight. More here after that.

Tony