With consistent declining enrollment, a structural deficit, and a downgraded bond rating because it has been borrowing from its fund balance, the Grosse Pointe Public Schools is weighing dueling budgets, including teacher layoffs.

Grosse Pointe Public Schools is debating whether to lift its mask mandate.

Here’s what is coming up on Local 4 News at 11:

The decision by the Grosse Pointe Public Schools to start the school year with masks optional has parents divided.

In a 6-1 vote, the Grosse Pointe Public Schools Board adopted new COVID-19 protocols which brought out a divided community to Monday night’s board meeting.

GROSSE POINTE, Mich. – All students within the Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPSS) are returning to remote learning next week as coronavirus spread worsens among the community. Students receiving special education programs and services will also switch to a virtual instruction on Monday. Superintendent Gary C. Niehaus says that, similarly to other districts, Grosse Pointe schools are facing staffing issues amid rising COVID-19 cases in Michigan, as teachers are forced to quarantine due to coronavirus exposure. Buildings will be open for GPPSS staff to access their classrooms, materials and technology. Click here for a list of COVID-19 cases and their associated schools within the GPPSS community.

GROSSE POINTE, Mich. Dozens of parents gathered Sunday to protest the Grosse Pointe Public School systems back-to-school plan. The district made the decision to have all students start with remote learning. While parents of Detroit students have protested against in-person school classes, Grosse Pointe parents rallied for the opposite. Grosse Pointe school officials said theyre planning to get back into the classroom when its safe, but that wasnt good enough for parents. While they noted what some parents wanted ultimately, the district said they just didnt feel it was safe to return to class.

GROSSE POINTE, Mich. Another Michigan school district has decided to begin the upcoming school year entirely online amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Grosse Pointe Public School System Superintendent Gary Niehaus announced Friday that the district will start the school year with remote learning only, with a plan to gradually reintroduce students to in-person learning. Officials say a task force developed plans for in-person learning, virtual learning and a hybrid of both options -- which has been required by Michigan Gov. Niehaus said Friday that the districts intention is to transition to a hybrid or traditional in-person learning model, but only once it is safe to do so amid the pandemic. As the district moves to begin the school year fully online, officials say staff will still have access to child care, school buildings and learning materials.

A new report ranks the best school districts in Michigan heading into the 2019-2020 school year. Niche released their 2020 best school rankings, looking at the top schools and top districts in every state. "The 2020 Best School Districts ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings, and more." Here are the top 25 school districts in Michigan, according to Niche:1.