School budget gets bipartisan support in House, heads to governor

State Rep. Graham Filler, of DeWitt, 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 Michigan by at least $120, with many districts receiving an additional $240 per student – a total increase of more than $300 million in the foundation allowance. The governor’s recommendation capped the increase at just $180 per student.

“Our local schools will get a nice boost from this budget,” Filler said. “We’re investing more in every student with record per-pupil funding levels and we’re making sure all students have the tools they need to succeed by adding resources for special education, skilled trades training and literacy coaches.”

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.

“We worked together to come up with a good budget plan that received widespread support from representatives on both sides of the aisle,” Filler said. “Now, it’s up to the governor to get this budget finalized. I have faith that she’ll do the right thing for the sake of our students and teachers.”

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