Michigan education chief suggests districts consolidate foodservice programs

Aug. 7—Michigan's education chief says letting the state's more than 550 public school districts focus on teaching while intermediate school districts handle the administrative functions—including foodservice—will improve classroom finances and help reduce the number of local districts facing budget deficits.

Intermediate school districts are regional service agencies that provide support services more effectively and efficiently. There are 56 in the state.

The logistics of implementing such a plan, and the savings districts and the state might see from the change, however, are not entirely clear. What is clear is that intermediate school districts are anxious to give the plan a chance to work.