State legislators have approved a new budget that will boost per-student school funding across the state.
The budget, which now awaits Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's review, includes a total of $15.2 billion for K-12 schools in Michigan. The numbers break down to an increase of $120 to $240 per student. Whitmer had previously sought to limit the increase in per-student funding to $180 per student.
Rep. Aaron Miller (R-Sturgis), one of the budget's sponsors and the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid, celebrated the bill's passage in a press release.
"As a public school educator myself, I am proud of this plan we have produced as a Legislature by reaching across the aisle," Miller said in the release.
The bill includes a $510 million investment in helping at-risk students and adds $60 million to reimburse districts for costs related to special education programs. In addition, the new measure adds an additional $7 million in funding for isolated school districts and establishes a new system to help bring additional funds to rural districts.
The plan also adds $50 in additional money per student for Career Technical Education (CTE) funding, which along with a $16 million investment in new equipment, comes to a total of $74 million in CTE funding.
There's also additional money for adding literacy coaches and supporting English language learners.
“We’re investing in all the things the governor wants and more,” Miller said in the release. “There’s absolutely no reason why she shouldn’t support this plan. It’s time to stop playing word games and get this budget done for our kids.”
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