The School Aid Budget, as well as an equalized funding system, was passed by the Michigan Senate last week. The bill allocates $17 billion for the fiscal year 2022.
State Senator Dan Lauwers, a Brockway Township Republican, voted for the bill, saying, “As our school districts recover from a year lost to COVID-19 and remote learning, we have prioritized getting more money into our classrooms while also dedicating significant resources for parents to help their struggling students get the help they need to get back on track.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed the school funding plan, saying, “The bipartisan school aid bill makes historic investments in our children without raising taxes and will help each and every student thrive academically, mentally, and physically.”
The spending plan provides for at least $8,700 per pupil, which is an increase from previous years. More money is also slated for preschools, increasing reading proficiency, school nurses, social workers, counselors, and psychologists, as well as $140 million in the school employees’ retirement system.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
