55 districts in Michigan operating with budget deficit

Fifty-five Michigan school districts are operating with budget deficits, compared with 49 at the start of the school year. The Detroit News says the report from state Superintendent of Schools Mike Flanagan follows a two-week shutdown of the Buena Vista district last month after the district ran out of money as well as the cash-strapped Albion school board's decision to close its high school. Flanagan suggested to lawmakers that consolidating districts into countywide systems could bring more stability to schools that now are part of small systems.