With Michigan's public school districts facing a decline in per-pupil funding, more districts are contracting out for at least one of the three major school support services--food, custodial and transportation--than ever before. This year's survey of school districts found that 44.6 percent of all Michigan school districts contract out for at least one of these services, a 5.6 percent increase over 2008.This year, new contracts alone are expected to save $6.9 million. Since 2001, the Mackinac Center has surveyed public school districts in Michigan about their use of contractors in providing support services. Each year, more districts contract out to save money and improve services. The 2009 Survey Results include: (1) 44.6 percent of districts (246 out of 551) contract out for food, custodial or transportation services; (2) 29 food, custodial or transportation services were outsourced this year; (3) Eight districts insourced services this year; and (4) New contracts alone were estimated to save taxpayers $6.9 million statewide. Privatization continues to increase this year as 246 districts contracted out for food, custodial or transportation services. Contracting has increased 44 percent since 2001 and displays a steady trend, growing an average of 6.3 percent each year. Map of Survey Findings by School District is appended. (Contains 5 graphs.) [For the 2008 edition of this report, see ED541528.]