Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 380 / Act 451 of 1976
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a (2026)

General powers school district.

✓ current as of July 2026
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THE REVISED SCHOOL CODE


Act 451 of 1976


380.11a General powers school district.

Sec. 11a.

    (1) Beginning on July 1, 1996, each school district formerly organized as a primary school district or as a school district of the fourth class, third class, or second class shall be a general powers school district under this act.

    (2) Beginning on July 1, 1996, a school district operating under a special or local act shall operate as a general powers school district under this act except to the extent that the special or local act is inconsistent with this act. Upon repeal of a special or local act that governs a school district, that school district shall become a general powers school district under this act.

    (3) A general powers school district has all of the rights, powers, and duties expressly stated in this act; may exercise a power implied or incident to a power expressly stated in this act; and, except as otherwise provided by law, may exercise a power incidental or appropriate to the performance of a function related to operation of a public school and the provision of public education services in the interests of public elementary and secondary education in the school district, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

    (a) Educating pupils. In addition to educating pupils in grades K-12, this function may include operation of preschool, lifelong education, adult education, community education, training, enrichment, and recreation programs for other persons. A school district may do either or both of the following:

    (i) Educate pupils by directly operating 1 or more public schools on its own.

    (ii) Cause public education services to be provided for pupils of the school district through an agreement, contract, or other cooperative agreement with another public entity, including, but not limited to, another school district or an intermediate school district.

    (b) Providing for the safety and welfare of pupils while at school or a school sponsored activity or while en route to or from school or a school sponsored activity.

    (c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, acquiring, constructing, maintaining, repairing, renovating, disposing of, or conveying school property, facilities, equipment, technology, or furnishings.

    (d) Hiring, contracting for, scheduling, supervising, or terminating employees, independent contractors, and others, including, but not limited to, another school district or an intermediate school district, to carry out school district powers. A school district may indemnify its employees.

    (e) Receiving, accounting for, investing, or expending public school money; borrowing money and pledging public school funds for repayment; and qualifying for state school aid and other public or private money from local, regional, state, or federal sources.

    (4) A general powers school district may enter into agreements, contracts, or other cooperative arrangements with other entities, public or private, including, but not limited to, another school district or an intermediate school district, or join organizations as part of performing the functions of the school district. An agreement, contract, or other cooperative arrangement that is entered into under this act is not required to comply with the provisions of the urban cooperation act of 1967, 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 7, MCL 124.501 to 124.512, as provided under section 503 of that act, MCL 124.503.

    (5) A general powers school district is a body corporate and shall be governed by a school board. An act of a school board is not valid unless approved, at a meeting of the school board, by a majority vote of the members lawfully serving on the board.

    (6) The board of a general powers school district shall adopt bylaws. These bylaws may establish or change board procedures, the number of board officers, titles and duties of board officers, and any other matter related to effective and efficient functioning of the board. Regular meetings of the board shall be held at least once each month, at the time and place fixed by the bylaws. Special meetings may be called and held in the manner and for the purposes specified in the bylaws. Board procedures, bylaws, and policies in effect on the effective date of this section shall continue in effect until changed by action of the board.

    (7) The board of a school district shall be elected as provided under this act and the Michigan election law. The number of members of the board of a general powers school district shall remain the same as for that school district before July 1, 1996 unless changed by the school electors of the school district at a regular or special school election. A ballot question for changing the number of board members may be placed on the ballot by action of the board or by petition submitted by school electors as provided under chapter XIV of the Michigan election law, MCL 168.301 to 168.316.

    (8) Members of the board of a general powers school district shall be elected by the school electors for terms of 4 or 6 years, as provided by the school district's bylaws. At each regular school election, members of the board shall be elected to fill the positions of those whose terms will expire. A term of office begins as provided in section 302 of the Michigan election law, MCL 168.302, and continues until a successor is elected and qualified.

    (9) Except as provided under part 5b, a community district shall be organized and conducted in the same manner as a general powers school district. As provided under part 5b, a community district has all of the powers of a general powers school district under section 11a and has all additional powers granted by law to a community district or the school board of a community district. The members of the board of a community district shall be elected by the school electors in the manner and for the terms as provided under part 5b and the Michigan election law.

    (10) The board of a general powers school district may submit to the school electors of the school district a question that is within the scope of the powers of the school electors and that the board considers proper for the management of the school system or the advancement of education in the school district. Upon the adoption of a question by the board, the board shall submit the question to the school electors by complying with section 312 of the Michigan election law, MCL 168.312.

    (11) A special election may be called by the board of a general powers school district as provided under chapter XIV of the Michigan election law, MCL 168.301 to 168.316.

    (12) Unless expressly provided in 1995 PA 289, the powers of a school board or school district are not diminished by this section or by 1995 PA 289.

    (13) A school district operating a public library, public museum, or community recreational facility as of July 1, 1996 may continue to operate the public library, public museum, or community recreational facility.

    (14) A school district may establish and administer scholarships for its students or graduates to support their attendance at a postsecondary educational institution from funds the school district receives as a result of a compact entered into between this state and a federally recognized Indian tribe pursuant to the Indian gaming regulatory act, Public Law 100-497. A school district that establishes a scholarship program funded under this subsection shall ensure that the scholarship program provides for all of the following:

    (a) That a student or graduate is not eligible to be awarded a scholarship unless the student or graduate is enrolled in the school district for all of grades 9 to 12 and meets 1 of the following:

    (i) Is a resident of the school district for all of grades 9 to 12.

    (ii) Was enrolled in the school district for the 2009-2010 school year but was not a resident of the school district for that school year, and is enrolled in the school district continuously after that school year until graduation.

    (b) That the amount of a scholarship awarded to a student or graduate who was not enrolled in and a continuous resident of the school district for all of grades K to 12 shall be adjusted based on length of enrollment and continuous residency or, for a student or graduate described in subdivision (a)(ii), based on length of enrollment.

History: Add. 1995, Act 289, Eff. July 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 299, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 515, Imd. Eff. Dec. 29, 2006 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 91, Imd. Eff. June 10, 2010 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 192, Imd. Eff. June 21, 2016

PopularName Notes:

Act 451
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 26 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 2000–2025 · leading case: Lansing Schs. Educ. Ass'n v. Lansing Bd. of Educ., 487 Mich. 349 (Mich. 2010).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Lansing Schs. Educ. Ass'n v. Lansing Bd. of Educ., 487 Mich. 349 (Mich. 2010). · cites it 14× “MCL 380.11a(3). The powers and duties originate from the Michigan Constitution, which established that the “legislature shall maintain and support a system of free public elementary and secondary schools .”
Mich. Gun Owners, Inc. v. Ann Arbor Pub. Sch., 918 N.W.2d 756 (Mich. 2018). · cites it 14× “If any one of these legislative exceptions, including (5)(c) (the CPL holders exception), can be nullified by schools, then any or all of the other exceptions can also be nullified.”
Breighner v. Mich. High Sch. Athletic Ass'n, Inc., 683 N.W.2d 639 (Mich. 2004). · cites it 12× “Under MCL 380.11a(4), a school district's membership in any athletic organization remains entirely voluntary (school districts " may .”
Breighner v. Michigan High Sch. Athletic Ass'n, 662 N.W.2d 413 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 6× “" MCL 380.11a(4). Despite the removal of the official designation, recent estimates are that over seven hundred Michigan high schools are members of the MHSAA, over eighty percent of which are public.”
Slater v. Ann Arbor Pub. Schs. Bd. of Educ., 648 N.W.2d 205 (Mich. Ct. App. 2002). “Second, because defendants at all times, had the authority to operate an adult education program in its own right within its own district, MCL 380.11a(3)(a), no transfer of that “function or responsibility” was necessary.”
Shelby Baumgartner v. Perry Pub. Schs., 309 Mich. App. 507 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “34 See MCL 380.11a(3) (stating that “[a] general powers school district” is permitted, except as provided by law, to “exercise a power incidental or appropriate to the performance of a function related to operation of [a] school district”).”
Mantei v. Michigan Pub. Sch. Employees Ret. Sys., 663 N.W.2d 486 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003). “See, generally, MCL 380.11a(3)(d) and (4); MCL 380.1229(2).”
Lm v. State of Michigan, 307 Mich. App. 685 (Mich. Ct. App. 2014). “3 MCL 380.11a(3) defines the general powers of school districts: A general powers school district has all of the rights, powers, and duties expressly stated in this act; may exercise a power implied or incident to a power expressly stated in this act; and, except as provided by…”
Ritchie v. Coldwater Cmty. Schs., 947 F. Supp. 2d 791 (W.D. Mich. 2013). “§ 380.11a(3), (5). The Court concludes that Ritchie has presented sufficient evidence to create an issue of fact whether his removal from the September 27 and October 25 meetings was caused by School Board policy.”
Communities for Equity v. Michigan High Sch. Athletic Ass'n, 80 F. Supp. 2d 729 (W.D. Mich. 2000). “at § 380.11a(4). While the MHSAA’s public or private status may have changed throughout the years, its basic function appears to have remained the same since its inception in 1924 — create rules and policies for the regulation of interscholastic athletics in the state of…”
Schulz v. Northville Pub. Schs., 635 N.W.2d 508 (Mich. Ct. App. 2001). “Intervenors correctly observe that the instant statutes do not place the interests of adjacent property owners in a paramount position.”
20230126_C360706_28_360706.Opn.Pdf (Mich. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 4× “MCL 380.11a generally outlines the power and governance structure applicable to the School District, stating in relevant part as follows: (3) A general powers school district has all of the rights, powers, and duties expressly stated in this act; may exercise a power implied or…”
Show all 26 citing cases →
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(3) — 10 cases
Mich. Gun Owners, Inc. v. Ann Arbor Pub. Sch., 918 N.W.2d 756 (Mich. 2018). “If any one of these legislative exceptions, including (5)(c) (the CPL holders exception), can be nullified by schools, then any or all of the other exceptions can also be nullified.”
Lansing Schs. Educ. Ass'n v. Lansing Bd. of Educ., 487 Mich. 349 (Mich. 2010). “MCL 380.11a(3). The powers and duties originate from the Michigan Constitution, which established that the “legislature shall maintain and support a system of free public elementary and secondary schools .”
Shelby Baumgartner v. Perry Pub. Schs., 309 Mich. App. 507 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “34 See MCL 380.11a(3) (stating that “[a] general powers school district” is permitted, except as provided by law, to “exercise a power incidental or appropriate to the performance of a function related to operation of [a] school district”).”
Lm v. State of Michigan, 307 Mich. App. 685 (Mich. Ct. App. 2014). “3 MCL 380.11a(3) defines the general powers of school districts: A general powers school district has all of the rights, powers, and duties expressly stated in this act; may exercise a power implied or incident to a power expressly stated in this act; and, except as provided by…”
Ritchie v. Coldwater Cmty. Schs., 947 F. Supp. 2d 791 (W.D. Mich. 2013). “§ 380.11a(3), (5). The Court concludes that Ritchie has presented sufficient evidence to create an issue of fact whether his removal from the September 27 and October 25 meetings was caused by School Board policy.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(3)(a) — 2 cases
Lansing Schs. Educ. Ass'n v. Lansing Bd. of Educ., 487 Mich. 349 (Mich. 2010). “MCL 380.11a(3). The powers and duties originate from the Michigan Constitution, which established that the “legislature shall maintain and support a system of free public elementary and secondary schools .”
Slater v. Ann Arbor Pub. Schs. Bd. of Educ., 648 N.W.2d 205 (Mich. Ct. App. 2002). “Second, because defendants at all times, had the authority to operate an adult education program in its own right within its own district, MCL 380.11a(3)(a), no transfer of that “function or responsibility” was necessary.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(3)(b) — 5 cases
Lansing Schs. Educ. Ass'n v. Lansing Bd. of Educ., 487 Mich. 349 (Mich. 2010). “MCL 380.11a(3). The powers and duties originate from the Michigan Constitution, which established that the “legislature shall maintain and support a system of free public elementary and secondary schools .”
Mich. Gun Owners, Inc. v. Ann Arbor Pub. Sch., 918 N.W.2d 756 (Mich. 2018). “If any one of these legislative exceptions, including (5)(c) (the CPL holders exception), can be nullified by schools, then any or all of the other exceptions can also be nullified.”
Concerned Parents of Emmet Cnty. v. Health Dept of Nw. Mi (Mich. Ct. App. 2025).
King v. Accell Schs. LLC (E.D. Mich. 2025).
Ic v. Comstock Pub. Schs. (Mich. Ct. App. 2023).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(3)(c) — 2 cases
D M Burr Facilities Mgmt. Inc v. Romulus Cmty. Schs. (Mich. Ct. App. 2019).
Heart of the Lakes Cmty. v. West Bloomfield Sch. Dist. (Mich. Ct. App. 2025).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(3)(d) — 3 cases
Lansing Schs. Educ. Ass'n v. Lansing Bd. of Educ., 487 Mich. 349 (Mich. 2010). “MCL 380.11a(3). The powers and duties originate from the Michigan Constitution, which established that the “legislature shall maintain and support a system of free public elementary and secondary schools .”
Mantei v. Michigan Pub. Sch. Employees Ret. Sys., 663 N.W.2d 486 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003). “See, generally, MCL 380.11a(3)(d) and (4); MCL 380.1229(2).”
Marc S Throop v. Gull Lake Cmty. Schs. (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(4) — 3 cases
Breighner v. Mich. High Sch. Athletic Ass'n, Inc., 683 N.W.2d 639 (Mich. 2004). “Under MCL 380.11a(4), a school district's membership in any athletic organization remains entirely voluntary (school districts " may .”
Breighner v. Michigan High Sch. Athletic Ass'n, 662 N.W.2d 413 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003). “" MCL 380.11a(4). Despite the removal of the official designation, recent estimates are that over seven hundred Michigan high schools are members of the MHSAA, over eighty percent of which are public.”
Communities for Equity v. Michigan High Sch. Athletic Ass'n, 80 F. Supp. 2d 729 (W.D. Mich. 2000). “at § 380.11a(4). While the MHSAA’s public or private status may have changed throughout the years, its basic function appears to have remained the same since its inception in 1924 — create rules and policies for the regulation of interscholastic athletics in the state of…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(5) — 4 cases
Lansing Schs. Educ. Ass'n v. Lansing Bd. of Educ., 487 Mich. 349 (Mich. 2010). “MCL 380.11a(3). The powers and duties originate from the Michigan Constitution, which established that the “legislature shall maintain and support a system of free public elementary and secondary schools .”
Taxpayers for Michigan Constitutional Govt v. State of Michigan (Mich. 2021).
Taxpayers for Michigan Constitutional Govt v. State of Michigan (Mich. 2021).
20230126_C360706_28_360706.Opn.Pdf (Mich. Ct. App. 2023). “MCL 380.11a generally outlines the power and governance structure applicable to the School District, stating in relevant part as follows: (3) A general powers school district has all of the rights, powers, and duties expressly stated in this act; may exercise a power implied or…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(7) — 1 case
20230126_C360706_28_360706.Opn.Pdf (Mich. Ct. App. 2023). “MCL 380.11a generally outlines the power and governance structure applicable to the School District, stating in relevant part as follows: (3) A general powers school district has all of the rights, powers, and duties expressly stated in this act; may exercise a power implied or…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(8) — 1 case
20230126_C360706_28_360706.Opn.Pdf (Mich. Ct. App. 2023). “MCL 380.11a generally outlines the power and governance structure applicable to the School District, stating in relevant part as follows: (3) A general powers school district has all of the rights, powers, and duties expressly stated in this act; may exercise a power implied or…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.11a(9) — 1 case
Breighner v. Mich. High Sch. Athletic Ass'n, Inc., 683 N.W.2d 639 (Mich. 2004). “Under MCL 380.11a(4), a school district's membership in any athletic organization remains entirely voluntary (school districts " may .”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.