Lack of state budget may soon impact school districts Please join us in urging our elected officials to reach a quick agreement and keep K-12 funding secure Sept. 9, 2025 Dear Parents & Community Members, As we begin the 2025-2026 school year, we want to update you on an important issue - the lack of a state budget - that could impact our students and schools. State law mandates that our Legislature approve a K-12 school funding budget by July 1 each year so districts like ours can plan and operate with certainty. That deadline has passed, and no agreement has been reached. Without a budget, there's a risk of a state government shutdown on September 30, which could delay funding that schools depend on to operate. A reason for the deadlock appears to be proposals to redirect money from the School Aid Fund – the fund voters were promised would be dedicated to K-12 education – to other priorities, including road repairs. Many believe this violates the original intent of the system voters approved to provide fair funding for public schools. If the Legislature does not pass a budget, districts will miss out on their first scheduled state aid payment on October 20, 2025. For our schools, that payment is a major part of the resources we rely on to: Fund academic programs, arts, athletics, and student activities. Maintain class sizes and student support services. Maintain bus operations and keep classrooms supplied. Compensate staff who work directly with students. We cannot operate indefinitely without these resources. The solution is simple: lawmakers should approve a K-12 budget that safeguards School Aid Fund dollars for their original purpose – educating our children. Please join us in urging our elected officials to reach a quick agreement and keep K-12 funding secure. Our students deserve a stable, fully funded school year. Respectfully, Superintendents of the following Char-Em ISD districts: Rachelle Cook, Alanson Wil Cwikiel, Beaver Island Pat Little,...

Opinion: Michigan’s literacy crisis is real, but regional collaboration offers hope This opinion piece was written by Michael Haynes, Director of Instructional Services for Char-Em ISD In Northern Michigan, something promising is happening around elementary reading. Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, serving 11 public school districts across 2.5 counties at the top of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, is leading a region-wide effort to address one of the most urgent challenges in education today - early literacy.  In partnership with local districts and statewide organizations, Char-Em ISD is helping bring educators together around a shared goal: Ensuring every student becomes a confident, capable reader. By fall 2025, each of the traditional public schools in our region is expected to be engaged in this work. Like much of the country, Michigan is seeing too many students struggle with reading. On the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 32% of fourth graders nationally - and fewer than half of Michigan’s - scored proficient in reading. By eighth grade, the numbers drop even further. These are more than just statistics; they are a call to action. Reading proficiency in the early grades is directly tied to long-term success in school, work, and life. It’s the one skill that opens every other door. Literacy is not just a subject, it’s a gateway to opportunity. And right now, too many students don’t have the keys. The good news is that Michigan is not standing still. Across the state, more educators and leaders understand that real change requires more than good intentions. It requires aligned action. And in Char-Em ISD, we’re beginning to see what that looks like. This is not another program; it’s a shift in mindset, backed by a system of support that includes literacy coaches, early childhood experts, and special education teacher consultants. Districts across Char-Em are adopting literacy frameworks to clarify what will be taught...

It’s the time of year when local elementary schools roll out the welcome mat for incoming kindergartners and their families, through open houses, school tours and registration activities. Following is a list of kindergarten registration open houses, parent meetings and school tours planned throughout the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District’s 11 public schools, charter academies, and private schools (please note: some districts require an appointment and others do not): ANTRIM COUNTY CENTRAL LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Held on March 13; please call for an appointment. Contact: Call (231) 544-3141 for an appointment. On the web: www.centrallake.org   EBENEZER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Preschool-kindergarten round up: Tuesday, April 15: 3-6 p.m. Contact: Call (231) 588-2111 for more information. On the web: www.ebenezerchristian.org   ELLSWORTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS Appointment required. Parent meeting, orientation and tours. Monday, April 14 Contact: Call (231) 588-2544 to make an appointment. On the web: www.ecslancers.org   CHARLEVOIX COUNTY BEAVER ISLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOL If your child is a prospective kindergarten student, please call the Beaver Island Community School office at (231) 448-2744 to set up an appointment to meet the staff and learn about the program. On the web: www.beaverisland.k12.mi.us   BOYNE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Parents/guardians will need to register for a kindergarten round-up session of their choice by filling out a kindergarten pre-registration form that is available on the BCPS website, www.boyne.k12.mi.us. The following registration sessions will be held: Wednesday, May 7: 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Thursday, May 8: 1-2 p.m. Friday, May 9: 9:30-10:30 a.m. If you have any questions, please call (231) 439-8300. On the web: www.boyne.k12.mi.us   BOYNE FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOL Registration required. Parent meeting, orientation and tours. Wednesday, April 23: 5:30 p.m. Contact: Call (231) 549-2211 to register. On the web: www.boynefalls.org  ...