Probably, except that GRPS is so horribly mismanaged that there is no money. The neighborhoods go up in arms if they try to close one of the half-or-third-full schools, and they just got a millage increase a little while ago (good luck getting a second). They'll either have to find real solutions or let the situation fester. I'm exprecting the latter.
MGY
Let me start by saying that she sends her children to private Christian school as does most of the white poplulation in Grand Rapids that can afford it. There are so many Christian schools that they even have sport teams to compete with each other.
Why is this a bad thing you ask? The main reason my sister gave for pulling their kids out of public school was the racial (and gang) conflicts and associated violence. I explained that they have created their own racial tension since what they have left in school are mostly black and hispanic students. If the white kids were still in public school they might act as a "buffer" rather than having 2 groups go at it head to head. It is possible that friendships or associations would overlap the racial boundary that exists now, either with sports, clubs, after school activities (yearbook, newspaper, etc).
Residents of Grand Rapids pay some of the highest property taxes for these public schools, but they pay AGAIN the tuition to the Christian schools their children actually attend. While many would think this absurd (I know I do), she explains that they just can't put their kids at risk for getting beat up, etc. and that the private schools are better academically. I have told her that they have created their own problem by taking most of the white kids out...that's why the racial trouble exists. What really makes me nuts is that there is a special offering at her church to help families with tuition costs who can't afford to send their kids to Christian school.
They have made this bed, now it's time to un-make it or lie in it.