Six Calhoun County Districts Receive Educator Mentoring Grants

Six school districts serving Battle Creek and Calhoun County are among 239 Michigan recipients sharing nearly $10 million for mentoring and induction programs.

The local recipients are Arbor Academy, Battle Creek Public Schools, Lakeview School District, Marshall Academy, Marshall Public Schools and Colon Community Schools.

The Michigan Department of Education announced the awards on November 9th, 2026, as part of an effort to help new teachers and administrators build skills and remain in the profession.

Nearly $8.5 million will go to 199 intermediate school districts, traditional districts and public school academies for teacher-focused mentoring work.

Allowable uses include stipends and training for mentors, books and professional-learning materials, and staffing costs that free new teachers and mentors to work together.

Another $1.5 million will help 118 districts contract with approved organizations that provide mentoring services for administrators.

The grants come through Section 27h mentoring and induction funding, a multiyear program intended to strengthen educator onboarding and retention.

State officials said strong mentoring can reduce early-career turnover while improving the support available to educators during their first years in classrooms and school leadership roles.

Individual award amounts for the six Calhoun County recipients were not listed in the statewide announcement.

Which Calhoun County districts received grants?

Arbor Academy, Battle Creek Public Schools, Lakeview School District, Marshall Academy, Marshall Public Schools and Colon Community Schools appear on the state’s recipient list.

What may the grant money support?

Eligible uses include mentor stipends and training, professional-learning resources, onboarding materials and staffing costs tied to mentoring time.

When must this grant round be spent?

Michigan’s grant page lists September 30th, 2028 as the spending deadline for the round awarded in November 2026.