BALDWIN, Michigan (WZZM)- The first school district will be able to take advantage of Michigan's Promise Zone scholarship program this year. Baldwin Community Schools in Lake County announced its program this week.
The Baldwin Promise is based loosely on the Kalamazoo Promise, which pays for students' college education.
Baldwin is one of ten promise zones approved under state legislation passed last year. But Baldwin is the first to start the program.
Students in the Baldwin Community Schools just got a big promise. The promise will help pay for a college education. Senior Kaili Nichols says, "It's just unexplainable. I'm happy to get the money. Like very."
The Baldwin Promise will give Baldwin High School graduates up to $5,000 per year for up to four years of college.
Joyce Coleman works for the district and has a 9th grade son. She explains, "This is going to be a way for him to get to college. I say that, at this point, I couldn't afford to send him myself. This way, this will be a better way for him to get there."
Superintendent Randy Howes says the Baldwin Promise could transform this district where 90 percent of students qualify for free or reduced price lunches. He says, "We have a lot of our kids who look at things and say, it doesn't matter how hard I work or how successful I am, I never could afford that anyway. And the wonderful message that we were able to give to kids, is that's just no longer true. You can afford to go to college."
Howes says Baldwin is a step ahead of the other nine designated promise zones because the district and community started planning before the legislation passed and because it's small size makes the start up more manageable. There are about 26 students in the class of 2010, the first to qualify for the Baldwin Promise.
For students, the promise is also a challenge. Kaili Nichols says, "I want to go for the 4.0 this year. That's my goal." Fellow senior Cregg Bolles says, "I've got to keep my grades about where they were last year, don't slack off. Don't get senioritis."
The Baldwin Promise Authority must raise about $120,000 to pay for the first two years of scholarships. They've already raised nearly $100,000. After the first two years, the state starts contributing money. A portion of the growth of the district's education taxes that would otherwise go to the state will stay in Baldwin for the scholarship program.
Contributions to the Baldwin Promise can be sent to:
The Lake County Community Foundation - Baldwin Promise
P.O. Box 995
Baldwin, MI 49304
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