GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Board of Education voted unanimously Monday, Aug. 5, to appoint nine members to the Promise Zone Authority, the body that will govern a tuition-free college program.

A Michigan Promise Zone designation is meant to provide students who graduate from any high school within the district’s boundaries - traditional public, charter or private -- a scholarship to attend at least a two-year community college tuition free and possibly a four-year institution.

“This takes away that level of uncertainty and stress that some families experience,’’ said Omar Cuevas, an Authority appointee, who is vice president of sales and marketing for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

“It levels the playing field when you think of opportunity. This is a game-changer for Grand Rapids that will create a talent pipeline that is going to be stronger and more diverse.’’

Other Promise Zone Authority members include city officials, school leaders (public and private) and foundation heads.

Last summer, Grand Rapids was approved as one of the 15 Michigan Promise Zones. Each zone is governed by a 11-member Promise Zone Authority. The leaders of the Michigan Legislature also appoint two members.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, appointed former GRPS Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal, who retired in June.

Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, appointed J.C. Huizenga. Huizenga is founder and chairman of the board of National Heritage Academies Inc., a for-profit charter school management company.

Before awarding scholarships, the Promise Zone Authority must have its Promise plan, which defines the scholarship, approved by the state Treasurer’s Office.

The body makes key decisions, including when the Promise program will begin distributing funds, if a specific GPA will be required and whether its funds will be for only an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree, non-degree programs and technical schools.

Fall 2021, is the earliest funds potentially could be awarded but two years after an authority’s establishment has been a better gauge since the recession.

Students must apply for and use federal Pell grants and Michigan TIP grants because the scholarships are awarded in conjunction with those need-based grants.

A major task of the body will be raising the initial funds for scholarships. After two years of operating through private funding, Promise Zones can capture half the growth in the State Education Tax (SET) within their boundaries.

However, John Helmholdt, GRPS communications director, said fundraising would need to be ongoing because the tax dollars alone won’t sustain the program.

Neal recommended the panel before departing. She also suggested the Authority create a committee of additional community members that could assist them in the fundraising effort.

“I think it is exciting because we are giving a lot of kids hope,’’ said school board member Kymberlie Davis, about removing the financial barrier, so more students feel like they can attend college.

“I hope it will motivate our students to do their best. I also hopeful it will keep people in our district and hopefully, bring people to our district because the cost of college keeps growing and growing.’’

Besides Cuevas, the other people selected to the Promise Zone Authority are:

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, who has led the city since 2016 and been a city commissioner since 2006. She is also is an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University's School of Social Work.

Ron Gorman is the interim GRPS superintendent. He has been with the district 15 years, previously serving as the assistant superintendent of Pre-K-12 Institutional Support.

Retired GRPS principal Jerry McComb, who finished his more than 30-year career as a teacher and principal in the district on June 12. He served most recently at Gerald R. Ford Academic Center.

David Faber, superintendent of the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids - 26 elementary schools and five high schools.

Kristian Grant, president of the Grand Rapids Board of Education, who was elected to a four-year term in 2016. She is a district parent and founder of Mini Mogul Academy, a curriculum for students focused on business and entrepreneurship.

Diana Sieger is president of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. GRCF awards more than $1 million annually in higher education scholarship to hundreds of area students and partners with GRPS on the Challenge Scholars initiative which supports higher education for West Side families.

Tom DeJonge is superintendent of Grand Rapids Christian Schools, a private, faith-based school system that enrolls more than 2,300 students in preschool through 12th Grade on five campuses throughout the city.

Kate Pew Wolters is president of the Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors of Steelcase Inc., and chair of the Steelcase Foundation. Steelcase, the leading furniture manufacturer, was founded by her grandfather, Walter Idema. She has been a Grand Valley State University Board of Trustee member since 2004.

“Promise Zones are making a real contribution to Michigan raising its game in terms of helping students earn a college degree, particularly first generation and low income students who otherwise may not have had the opportunity,'' said Chuck Wilbur, Promise Zone expert and executive director of the Michigan Promise Zone Association.

Gorman said the district has done its due diligence to find the very best members to be a part of the Authority.

"I think we’ve really landed on a nice cross-section of individuals with a tremendous amount of expertise,'' he said.

Prior to the vote, school board member Raynard Ross said he was somewhat concerned that none of those recommended have a "professional understanding of the nuances of college finances.''

But board president Kristian Grant said there were previous discussions about a college official having a conflict of interest. She said someone from higher education could be part of that non-voting supportive committee.

In November 2017, former Gov. Rick Snyder, signed legislation increasing the number of Promise Zones from 10 to 15. Besides Grand Rapids, the other new zones are: City of Flint, Covert Public Schools, Mason County, and City of River Rogue.

The other 10 zones include: