‘Major shift': State House passes K-12 school budget
The plan proposes $10,025 in foundation funding per student, and an additional estimated $1,975 in separate funds per student if school districts adhere to certain requirements. These requirements include having one school resource officer and one mental health support staff member on staff and submitting an annual report detailing the use of the funds. Lawmakers behind the proposal say this would be an increase of $2,392 per student.
'This budget represents a major shift in how we approach education in Michigan,' said State Rep. Ann Bollin, chair of the House Appropriations Committee (R-Brighton Township). 'We're building a stronger model by putting trust where it belongs — in the hands of local school boards, parents, and educators who know their communities best. Every district is different, and the people closest to the students should be the ones making the decisions.'
Lawmakers say the plan would also ban funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and prevent biological males from competing in female sports divisions, as well as stop schools from using 'curriculums that promote race or gender stereotyping.'
Representatives behind the appropriations say these funds would be used to help schools reduce class sizes, improve reading scores, and better school infrastructure, and that the plan gives schools flexibility to spend the money as they please.
'We're done with top-down mandates that ignore the real challenges our schools face,' Bollin said. 'This plan meets schools where they are and gives them the flexibility they need to lift kids up and help them succeed.'
However, those opposed to the appropriations say the budget cuts important programs for students, such as school breakfast and lunch, which could have negative impacts on families.
'House Republicans' education budget could raise costs for working families by nearly $900 a year, force students to go hungry, and take money away from teachers trying to help students learn — while doing absolutely nothing to improve reading, math, or science scores,' said Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Michigan State Superintendent Michael F. Rice says the appropriations 'fall short' in supporting the schools, calling it a 'duct-taped budget' and saying the lack of specified appropriations would be detrimental toward certain efforts to improve the state's school system.
'While I support increasing per-pupil funding and reducing to a significant degree the number of categorical grants to give school districts more flexibility in how to spend state dollars, this budget unnecessarily puts at risk statewide education priorities,' said Rice. 'The budget lumps funds into large block grants that would diminish the statewide efforts to support, protect, and help educate children and at the same time address the state's shortage of certified and highly trained teachers.'
The plan advanced with support from Republicans and opposition from Democrats. It now heads to the Democrat-controlled Senate, which previously passed its .
The two chambers need to agree on a budget by July 1. 6 News will keep you updated with the latest.
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