$1.3 billion plan provides needed resources, works to keep kids safe

State Rep. Jack O’Malley, who serves on the House Education Committee, today supported a new proposal that will give northern Michigan school districts a greater say in decisions as students resume school this fall.

A joint House-Senate proposal announced Tuesday morning during a press conference at the Capitol will require school districts and health departments to work together to develop health and safety standards that are best for a particular area.

“The governor has gone around the Legislature repeatedly during this pandemic and because legislators haven’t had a voice in the decision-making process, the people they represent have had a very limited voice,” said O’Malley, of Lake Ann. “This plan makes it clear – locals are in a better position to make these calls as kids go back to school. Districts know what they need to do to ensure their kids can learn safely and local health experts who have been tracking COVID-19 in these areas can help develop plans to keep kids safe, just as they would with small business or the general population. We’re giving schools the resources they need to operate within this framework.”

The Return to Learn plan:

• Provides an $800 per pupil payment to K-12 schools to implement a robust distance learning plan and health and safety measures to return students safely to the classroom.
• Includes a $500 per teacher payment as hazard and overtime pay and to help cover costs incurred due to transitioning to distance learning teaching plans.
• Delivers $80 million to intermediate school districts to assist schools in coordinating and implementing distance learning plans and safety measures.
• Redefines the word “attendance” to mean “engaged in instruction” rather than “physically present,” allowing schools to be innovative and give students the opportunity to learn outside the classroom.
• Limits the use of snow days to encourage the use of remote instruction when in-person instruction is unsafe or unsuitable. Moving forward, schools would be granted just two forgiven days of instruction per year.
• Utilizes benchmark assessments to provide detailed information to parents and teachers about where a student needs additional help, ensuring kids do not fall behind in the wake of the public health crisis.
• Requires school districts to work with local health departments to establish safety requirements for extracurricular activities and sports in addition to regular school safety measures.

The proposals will be referred to the House Education Committee for consideration later this week.