The Benton Harbor Area School Board has voted to create an advisory board with the State of Michigan.

This means members of the State, the district and the community will all oversee the financial and academic plans for the area.

Michigan officials recommended creating the board after the district halted plans from the state earlier this year that would have shut down Benton Harbor High School. The Board will address declining enrollment, academic under-performance, and a shortage of full time teachers.

A new operating plan is expected by the end of March 2021.