MI urban school districts get most stimulus help

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Urban school districts in Michigan are getting more money in direct grants from the federal stimulus package than suburban and rural districts.

The discrepancy in funding is by design. Much of the money dished out by the Recovery Act, particularly for schools, is distributed by formulas weighted in favor of poorer areas that need the most help.

Detroit schools already have been granted more than $152 million in stimulus funds through Title I dollars. That translates to more than $1,700 per student.

By comparison, the Detroit suburb of Farmington receives about $51.

Flint is getting $957 per student while suburban Grand Blanc gets $43. The Kalamazoo school district is collecting $258 per student in direct stimulus grants while neighboring Portage gets $51.