Concerns about the end result of legislative efforts to consolidate services through an Intermediate School District (ISD) were expressed this week by the Leland Board of Education.

The board, with trustees Peter Sneed and Peggy Miller absent, learned Monday night that problems with the implementation of Public Act 63 of 2007 could have a negative result on the district.

Superintendent Mike Hartigan explained that the state government approved legislation requiring that ISDs “look at how many services could be consolidated.” The legislation requires that each ISD compile information from its member schools about the costs of providing services such as human resources, business, administration of technology, and professional development. The problem is that costs among schools within the district vary widely, based primarily on enrollment.

“It’s like a math problem. If you start with the wrong equation, the end result won’t look like what you want,” Hartigan said.

For example, one of the larger school districts in the local Traverse Bay Intermediate ISD spends $194,000 on administration of technology. Leland spends $30,000. Another district spends $270,000 annually on professional development, compared to less than $10,000 spent by Leland.

“I have no idea what this information is going to mean to Lansing,” Hartigan said. “My question is … when do we tell the emperor in Lansing that they’re not wearing any clothes?”

A related state directive included in the same legislation requires ISDs to play a role in establishing a common 5-year calendar among their member districts. Elements of the common calendar would likely include a start date of the Tuesday after Labor Day; a holiday recess beginning no later than the end of an instructional day on Dec. 22 extending through at least Jan. 2; and a first semester end date of the third Friday in January.

In other business during the 90-minute meeting, the board:

• Adopted a policy and procedure for participation in dual sports/activities.

• Agreed to forward 2007-08 Michigan School Readiness grant funds totaling $28,300 to the Leelanau Children’s Center, which provides the services for the district. It is a measure approved annually by the board.

• Adopted a resolution to, along with other schools in the ISD, seek insurance claims data from the Michigan Education Special Services Association to allow the local ISD to seek bids on health insurance for its member districts.