State Rep. Hank Vaupel, of Fowlerville, 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 bipartisan plan, per-pupil funding would increase for every student in Michigan by $120 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.

“We have a responsibility to deliver a quality education to every student in our state, and that’s what this plan does,” Vaupel said. “I proudly support this budget because it delivers far and beyond past what the governor called for, and does it without a tax increase.”

The Legislature-approved plan:

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

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