State Rep. Julie Alexander, of Hanover, today voted in support of the Legislature’s school aid budget, which includes the largest ever investment for Michigan students in the state’s history.

The budget provides a total of $15.2 billion for K-12 schools. Under the plan, per-pupil funding would increase for every student in Jackson County to $240 – a total increase of more than $300 million in the foundation allowance. The governor’s recommendation capped the increase at just $180 per student.

“As a former educator, nothing is more important to me than ensuring we provide all Michigan students with the quality education they need to succeed,” Alexander said. “I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues in a bipartisan way to put on the governor’s desk a public school budget that provides record funding for Michigan’s K-12 students.”

The Legislature-approved plan also:

• Triples the investment in literacy coaches.
• Increases Career Technical Education funding to $50 per student and includes $16 million in equipment grants for a total of nearly $74 million in CTE investment.
• Includes $60 million more than last year to reimburse school districts for special education costs.
• Includes a total investment of $510 million in at-risk students.
• Includes additional investments in school safety grants and school-based health and mental health programs.

“This budget includes top funding for Jackson county schools and backs programs that support students of all skills and abilities, so that every student is prepared for success,” Alexander said.

The plan now heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.

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