BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. – The Benton Harbor Area Schools board has voted to create an advisory committee with the state.

The state suggested creating the board after the district stopped plans from the state to shut down Benton Harbor high school in May.

Members from the state, district and community will oversee finance and academics for the area.

The board will work to address declining enrollment, academic under-performance and a shortage of full time teachers.

“It’s an advisory committee made up of treasury, MDE, to come up with an operating plan for Benton Harbor Area School district for 2021 and we have parents, students as members of the foundation as well,” said Joseph Taylor, President of Benton Harbor School Board.

The board plans to have an operating plan complete by the end of March 2021.