The State of Michigan has stepped in to help Menominee Area Public Schools finish their bond projects approving $4.5 million in state funding to cover unexpected costs tied to asbestos removal and construction delays. Superintendent Drew Buyarski says the district’s leaders reached out for help when it became clear that abatement costs were eating into project funds.

School officials say they couldn’t have done this without the support of Senator Ed McBroom and Representative Dave Prestin. School Board President Derek Butler says, “They went to bat for us, and this money is what’s allowing us to finish the job”. With the money, MAPS will finish the remaining work from its bond program. This includes long-awaited updates to classrooms, safety systems, and learning spaces it paused because of asbestos remediation.

This is going to make a tremendous difference for our kids. They’ll finally have safe, modern spaces to learn in, and we can deliver what the community voted for. With the additional support now in hand, MAPS expects to resume work immediately and finish the remaining bond projects by next year.

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