District overview
Eaton Rapids Public Schools
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Eaton Rapids Public Schools paid for?
Eaton Rapids Public Schools serves about 1,900 students in and around the city of Eaton Rapids in Eaton County, Michigan. Like most Michigan districts, it is paid mainly through the state's per-student foundation allowance, which was $9,608 per pupil in 2024-25. That means the number of students drives most of its money. A local operating tax applies only to business and second-home property (17.8669 mills). Building work is paid separately, through bonds and a sinking fund tax that by law cannot be used for salaries or classroom costs.
$31.0 million revenue
Planned general fund revenue for 2026-27, mostly state aid ($23.6 million).
$31.7 million spending
The 2026-27 budget spends $626,200 more than it takes in, down from a $501,417 surplus in 2024-25.
$7.55 million reserve
Projected fund balance at June 30, 2027, about 24% of a year's spending, down from $8.30 million in June 2025.
Seven elected trustees
Elected at large in November of even years for six-year terms. Three seats (Guy, Curry, Jansen) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
A small planned deficit with a reserve near a quarter of the budget is not a sign of financial trouble by itself. The bigger long-term pressure is the slow decline in student numbers, which reduces state aid.
Where the district stands
Down from 2,036 in 2020-21 (1,922.30 blended count).
$31,669,103 divided by the 2024-25 count of 1,922 students. Excludes construction, debt and food service funds.
Major projects
Building reconfiguration: 5th grade moves to the middle school
in place, still being reviewedApproved 4-1 in December 2025. Fifth graders moved from Greyhound Intermediate to Eaton Rapids Middle School in fall 2026 under the "Aligning for Success" plan. The board asked the superintendent to keep studying middle school grade groupings.
- Board approves reconfiguration plan (4-1)
- Middle school presents Aligning for Success plan
- Greyhound Intermediate presents grades 2-4 plan
- Superintendent reports smooth 5th-grade transition
Funding
General fund (no separate cost published)
Bond construction program (Series II and III)
underwaySeries 3 bids awarded in November 2025 cover stadium renovations, middle school gym renovations and Greyhound Intermediate controls and lighting. Board reports through 2026 mention a parking lot, high school renovations in two phases, a Lockwood gym, an ag barn and pool roof repairs.
- Series 3 construction bids awarded
- $18,275,000 bond sale approved
- Bond sale confirmed
- Project moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2
Funding
Series III bonds, plus the sinking fund
NEOLA policy updates, including AI
vote scheduledThe board adopted a new student cellphone rule in April 2026. A fall 2026 update package, including a replacement artificial intelligence policy, had its first reading October 14.
- Cellphone policy adopted
- First reading of fall updates
- Second reading and vote scheduled
Funding
None
Recent news
View the news feed →Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Collected from the district's ParentSquare website: board agendas and minutes from November 2025 to October 2026, the 2026-27 and 2025-26 budgets, the 2024-25 audit, pay schedules and labor contracts, the meeting schedule, and the online cellphone and AI policies.
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