Superintendent Norman Taylor declared that Wayland Union is a “gain” district in the Schools of Choice competition that the State Legislature authorized a couple of decades ago.

His remarks came during the Board of Education’s routine vote on whether to comply with the rules of Schools of Choice. This means Wayland will cooperate in permitting students in Allegan and surrounding counties to attend other schools and will welcomes students to come to Wayland from elsewhere nearby.

All schools in Allegan County are within the Schools of Choice boundaries, as well students in the adjacent counties of Kent, Ottawa, Barry and Kalamazoo.

Taylor told board members Wayland receives more such students than allows them to go elsewhere. He added it is interesting its largest loss of students is to Hopkins, yet its largest gain is from Hopkins as well.

The superintendent added, “If we are fortunate enough to improve our facilities (with a positive vote on a proposed bond issue next year), I think you will see an increase in net gain.”

Taylor said he expects more good news soon when the Gun Lake Casino announces its revenue sharing compact, with the check perhaps going higher than $800,000 for the past six months, which also could be a stimulus in attracting more students in the Schools of Choice program.