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Public school systems play a crucial role in shaping local economies, influencing everything from property values to workforce development. The economic impact of local public schools extends far beyond education, affecting businesses, government budgets, and community well-being. Below are key ways in which public schools contribute to local economic health.

  1. Boosting Property Values and Municipal Revenue A strong public school system increases demand for housing in the district, driving up property values. Studies consistently show that homes in high-performing school districts command higher prices than comparable homes in weaker districts. Higher property values, in turn, generate more property tax revenue for local governments, which can be reinvested in infrastructure, public safety, and other community services.

    Additionally, businesses are more likely to establish themselves in areas with well-regarded schools, knowing that educated communities attract skilled workers and stable families. This creates a positive feedback loop where better schools lead to economic growth, which then further supports school funding.

  2. Workforce Development and Economic Competitiveness Public schools are the primary source of skilled labor for local industries. By providing foundational education, vocational training, and college preparation, schools ensure that businesses have access to qualified employees. Areas with strong school systems tend to have lower unemployment rates and higher average incomes because educated workers are more productive and adaptable to changing job markets.

    Investments in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, career and technical education (CTE), and partnerships with local businesses further enhance workforce readiness. Companies often consider school quality when deciding where to locate, as they need a pipeline of talent to sustain operations.

  3. Direct Employment and Local Spending Public schools are among the largest employers in many communities, providing jobs for teachers, administrators, custodians, and support staff. These employees spend their salaries locally, supporting restaurants, retail stores, and service providers. The multiplier effect means that every dollar spent on school payroll circulates through the economy multiple times, stimulating additional business activity.

    Beyond salaries, schools also contribute to local economies through construction projects (e.g., building new facilities or renovating old ones), purchasing supplies from area vendors, and contracting services like transportation and food supply. These expenditures create jobs and generate tax revenue.

  4. Reducing Long-Term Public Costs Quality education correlates with lower crime rates, reduced reliance on social welfare programs, and better public health outcomes. Students who graduate from strong school systems are less likely to require government assistance, engage in criminal activity, or face chronic unemployment. This reduces the burden on taxpayers, who would otherwise fund prisons, healthcare for the uninsured, and social services.

    Early childhood education programs, in particular, have been shown to yield high long-term returns by improving graduation rates and future earnings while decreasing incarceration costs.

  5. Attracting and Retaining Families and Businesses Families with children prioritize school quality when choosing where to live. Communities with reputable schools experience population growth, which sustains local businesses and services. Conversely, declining school performance can lead to outmigration, shrinking the tax base and harming economic vitality.

    Similarly, corporations evaluating relocation opportunities assess school systems to ensure employees will have access to good education for their children. A weak school system can deter investment, while a strong one can attract high-paying jobs and stimulate economic diversification.

Conclusion

The local public school system is not just an educational institution but a cornerstone of economic stability and growth. By enhancing property values, developing a skilled workforce, employing residents, reducing public costs, and attracting businesses, schools create a thriving economic ecosystem. Policymakers and community leaders must recognize that investing in education yields broad economic benefits, making it one of the most impactful ways to ensure long-term prosperity.

The following report contains those school districts that are completely or partially within the county. The school districts are sorted in a left to right order based on the number of students that are estimated to live in the county, although they may actually attend a school outside the county boundary. Except where noted all figures are for the entire disctrict population and not just that portion that are in the county.

Where available, the district's name contains a link to that district's website.
 
Hastings Area School District
Climax-Scotts Community School District  
Bellevue Community Schools  
Tekonsha Community Schools  
Springport Public Schools  
Gull Lake Community Schools  
Athens Area Schools  
Union City Community Schools  
Olivet Community Schools  
Homer Community Schools  
Pennfield School District  
Marshall Public Schools  
Harper Creek Community Schools  
Battle Creek Public Schools  
Lakeview School District  
Grade Span of Agency
Number of Schools
Total Classroom Teachers
Student/Teachers

    Prekindergarten
    Kindergarten
    Grade 1
    Grade 2
    Grade 3
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Grade 6
    Grade 7
    Grade 8
    Grade 9
    Grade 10
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
PK thru 12 Students
Ungraded Students
Adult Education and Other Students
Special Ed IEP Students
Total Students

White
Black
Asian
Hispanic
Native American
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Undefined or Multiple Races

Prekindergarten Teachers
Kindergarten Teachers
Elementary Teachers
Secondary Teachers
Ungraded Class Teachers
Total FTE Teachers

Elementary School Counselors
Secondary School Counselors
School Counselors
Total Counselors

School Administrators
School Administrative Support Staff
Instr. Coord. and Super. to Staff
Student Support Services Staff
Librarians/media specialists
Library/Media Support Staff
School Psychologists
Paraprofessionals/Instructional Aides
Total School Staff

LEA Administrators
LEA Administrative Support Staff
Total LEA Staff

All Other Support Staff
Total Other Staff
PK-12
7
225
17.05

15
257
256
274
286
264
259
295
255
320
309
335
354
323
3,802
0
0
35
3,837

1,881
503
457
490
11
5
455

4
13
92
91
25
225

0
6
0
6

13
29
5
23
1
0
0
35
102

17
2
24

103
103
PK-12
13
258
14.51

16
291
290
321
268
290
270
272
207
242
359
346
314
207
3,693
0
0
51
3,744

1,034
1,471
50
498
14
6
620

11
15
89
104
39
258

0
5
1
6

20
25
15
114
0
2
0
51
212

24
3
42

201
201
PK-12
5
162
17.88

0
271
174
231
209
219
234
207
238
217
217
207
222
217
2,863
0
0
34
2,897

2,340
81
14
163
8
12
245

0
13
64
73
12
162

0
3
1
4

8
4
3
14
1
5
0
34
65

10
12
25

86
86
PK-12
8
162
16.24

0
207
169
171
172
166
180
182
178
182
223
309
209
254
2,602
0
0
28
2,630

1,879
289
26
212
12
1
183

0
11
56
63
32
162

1
4
2
7

9
15
5
22
0
6
0
28
80

5
2
12

52
52
KG-12
5
97
20.24

0
129
133
141
123
158
139
170
157
150
134
170
156
168
1,928
0
0
35
1,963

1,530
85
9
116
6
0
182

0
7
40
40
10
97

1
0
3
4

6
15
2
9
0
3
0
35
68

4
1
7

72
72
KG-12
3
61
14.72

0
77
66
63
57
66
68
76
61
59
67
85
65
79
889
0
0
9
898

828
4
0
34
1
0
22

0
4
18
31
8
61

0
0
1
1

4
5
0
13
0
1
0
9
32

5
2
7

26
26
PK-12
3
76
16.70

0
100
77
108
90
95
78
86
105
88
98
108
113
101
1,247
0
0
23
1,270

1,158
9
10
35
2
0
33

2
3
30
34
7
76

0
0
2
2

5
11
1
15
0
1
0
23
53

5
0
6

38
38
PK-12
3
55
17.16

0
76
68
76
70
59
67
48
63
77
88
60
85
87
924
0
0
20
944

829
3
3
27
1
1
60

0
4
20
22
9
55

1
2
0
3

0
6
2
2
0
0
0
20
28

8
0
10

28
28
KG-12
2
40
11.75

0
25
39
37
37
31
48
36
32
28
38
36
46
36
469
0
0
1
470

401
3
0
12
18
0
35

0
2
14
20
4
40

1
0
1
2

3
3
0
13
0
0
0
1
20

1
1
2

19
19
PK-12
7
212
15.87

8
262
239
240
249
230
245
234
261
243
254
267
278
320
3,330
0
0
34
3,364

2,719
104
41
226
7
0
233

2
14
82
96
18
212

1
6
1
8

12
37
1
50
0
5
1
34
139

10
2
13

119
119
KG-12
3
56
16.95

0
78
76
66
88
73
76
69
83
69
80
71
53
67
949
0
0
0
949

838
3
5
45
2
4
52

0
4
25
21
6
56

1
1
0
2

1
18
0
4
0
2
0
0
24

3
1
4

34
34
KG-12
1
15
14.13

0
15
16
16
16
10
8
15
11
19
19
17
23
27
212
0
0
0
212

192
2
0
14
0
0
4

0
1
6
6
2
15

0
0
1
1

1
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
3

1
0
1

5
5
PK-12
2
32
17.50

0
36
38
37
40
39
43
48
46
38
46
46
59
34
550
0
0
10
560

493
6
2
17
3
7
22

1
2
13
14
2
32

0
0
1
1

2
4
0
5
0
0
0
10
21

4
1
5

19
19
PK-12
3
33
17.85

0
40
34
39
34
47
38
38
40
57
47
56
61
57
588
0
0
1
589

506
13
3
47
5
0
14

1
2
14
13
3
33

0
1
0
1

3
3
0
15
0
0
0
1
21

1
1
2

16
16
PK-12
6
149
17.03

0
241
178
166
166
186
189
216
191
206
189
204
200
187
2,519
0
0
19
2,538

2,273
12
1
118
8
4
103

6
11
58
74
0
149

0
2
0
2

8
14
1
53
0
0
0
19
94

6
3
10

53
53


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus

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