School budget gets bipartisan support in House, headed to governor

State Rep. Julie Calley today voted to approve the Legislature’s bipartisan 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 the communities Calley serves by an additional $240 – higher than the governor’s previous recommendation of $180 per student – for a total increase of more than $300 million in the foundation allowance.

“These investments will directly benefit our local students,” said Calley, of Portland. “Every classroom will get a boost from record per-pupil funding levels as well as additional resources for early literacy, special education and career and technical programs.”

The Legislature-approved plan:

• Increases Career and Technical Education funding to $50 per student and includes $16 million in equipment grants for a total of nearly $74 million in CTE investment.
• Triples the investment in literacy coaches.
• Includes a total investment of $510 million in at-risk students.
• Nearly triples funding for English language learners.
• Includes $60 million more than last year to reimburse school districts for special education costs.
• Provides $7 million for isolated school district funding and includes a tiered formula to allow for a wider distribution of funds to students in rural districts.
• Includes additional investments in school safety grants and school-based health and mental health programs.

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

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