Local school officials said they are pleased with how their schools rated, despite higher expectations causing more schools not to make Adequate Yearly Progress in 2011. The report, released Monday, said 79 percent of Michigan's public school buildings and 93 percent of the school districts made AYP for the 2010-11 school year. This is down from 86 percent of the schools and 95 percent of the districts making AYP the previous year.

Grand Haven High School has a new principal after its former leader was promoted this month. The Grand Haven school board on Tuesday unanimously approved the hiring of Tracy Wilson, currently the high school's assistant principal. Wilson is the first female to be hired as principal of Grand Haven High School that Superintendent Keith Konarska knows of, he said. "I think that speaks very positively of her professional development at the high school,' he said.

Michigan Merit Examination scores for this spring were released Tuesday, and results show that students mostly improved across the state - including in Grand Haven. The MME is given annually to 11th-graders and eligible 12th-graders across the state. It tests students' aptitude in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Results from the exam are used to adjust school curriculum, and improving results show that more students will graduate with the skills needed for college or a career, according to state education officials.

Spring Lake Public Schools could receive an extra $240,000 next year for conforming to what state lawmakers are calling "best practices,' said Superintendent Dennis Furton. Schools across the state should receive a $100-per-pupil funding restoration out of a $470-per-pupil cut if they meet certain cost-cutting criteria - such as sharing services with other districts and making employees pay more of their health care costs. Legislators are still working out the details, but Furton is almost certain that the Spring Lake district will qualify.