BY RICK PLUTA
Capital Bureau Chief, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING -- The Legislature has sent to the governor's desk a measure that would clear the way for the sale of the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint to a private developer. The developer has promised to build a new school and then lease the property back to the state. But critics say the design is not suited to teaching deaf students.
Marty Miracle is an alumni of the school who now works in its residence hall. Speaking through an interpreter, he said the Senate made a mistake in approving the measure.
"We did not have any deaf community input into this decision," Miracle said. "What I mean by that is, the Senate is not familiar with deaf culture, or deaf needs, or deaf children's needs."
Miracle said he's also concerned that the new owners would be allowed to sell the school after several years. He says opponents are exploring legal options if the governor approves the deal.
State Sen. Tom George sponsored the bill. He said it will give the students at the school a new state-of-the-art facility, and it will save taxpayers money on an aging facility.
"If you do nothing, eventually we're talking tens of millions of dollars," George said. "The maintenance alone on it now is two million dollars a year, just to maintain the existing structure."
Supporters say the deal is a bargain for taxpayers and it would be an important step in redeveloping that section of the city.
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