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March 4, 2003Boards vote to authorize annexationByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Traverse City and Northport school districts cleared one more obstacle Monday in their quest to merge when the two school boards approved resolutions authorizing annexation. The Traverse City Area Public Schools board of education unanimously agreed to annex the 275-student Northport Public Schools. The move could mean an extra $14 million in state aid due to incentive language in state law encouraging such unions. The annexation has been heralded by superintendents from both districts as a creative solution to budget shortfalls. An expected 11 percent cut in next year's state aid would punch a $4.2 million hole in Traverse City's maintenance and operating budgets and could wipe out Northport's already limited curriculum resources. "This is a historical moment," said Matt Lyberg, a Traverse City board member. "We are showing innovation not shown before." Joel Casler, vice president of the Traverse City board, said revenue from the merger would help his district but would also ensure Northport receives the services and support it needs. "I think we are on a leading edge, instead of whining and crying about what has been thrust upon us," he said. The Northport board passed two resolutions, one asking Traverse City to annex the district and another to call for an annexation election on May 12. Only residents in the district to be absorbed vote in an annexation election. "The next step is to see what the state superintendent of public instruction says," Northport superintendent Richard Cross said. "The vote will never occur if he doesn't approve it. Those resolutions will be used to make the case to the Michigan Department of Education." Northport Public Schools and its board of education would cease to exist should the annexation be approved by the state superintendent and voters. State law reads that if one district annexes another, the reconfigured district would receive the larger of the two districts' foundation allowances plus $50 per-pupil, or $8,000, whichever is less. This year, Northport receives $9,047 per-pupil. Traverse City stands to gain $1,300 more per-pupil than the $6,700 it currently receives. While money is a motive for Traverse City, board president Gerald Morris said the district is also acting out of regional goodwill to preserve Northport programs. "I have to hand it to the Northport board," Morris said. "They are doing the epitome of what a board of education is all about. You do what's right for the kids ... even if it costs you your jobs."
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