Nine Michigan school districts paid $25,000 to get on a “best schools’ list created by a public relations firm. From AnnArbor.com:

The banner ad across the Lincoln school district’s website proudly proclaims it has been recognized as one of the best school districts in Michigan.

The criteria for Lincoln and eight other districts being selected?

A $25,000 check.

That’s the only criteria.

The firm features the nine districts on a web site and bought airtime on a Detroit-area television station to broadcast a show featuring the districts.

Each new student brings $7,300 in funding, so district officials say the cost probably was covered by increased enrollment.

Update: A Florida school district is spending $350,000 in federal stimulus funds to buy iPods for parents of disabled students who fill out an online survey that takes about 10 minutes. “The (Polk County) district wants to know how well it’s connecting with the parents and how to get parents involved in their children’s education,” reports Bay News 9.