The following is a statement from the Grand Rapids Board of Education on November 4, 2025
The Grand Rapids Board of Education shares in the excitement that GRPS and the Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA) have finalized the 2025-26 calendar and reached four additional tentative agreements.
We know more work lies ahead to make GRPS salaries more competitive. The board remains committed to realigning resources to ensure fair and competitive pay for all staff. We must achieve this while being good stewards of the district’s finances. Our latest financial projections from Plante Moran show that our fund balance will be just 10.96% by June 2026, which puts us at risk for the state taking fiscal oversight within the next two years. This projection doesn’t take into account the increased compensation package the district proposed to the GREA in negotiations.
While state lawmakers increased per-pupil funding, they also shifted retirement costs from the state to districts. As a result, total unrestricted state funding for the 2025-26 school year is projected to be approximately $37 per pupil less than originally forecasted in the district’s budget.
We thank our negotiation team for all the work they have done. They have clearly represented the board’s goals and values, and we’re eager for GRPS and GREA to reach a final agreement soon.
With hopeful anticipation,
Kymberlie Buczek
Board of Education President
