State Rep. Doug Wozniak, of Shelby Township, today voted in support of the Legislature’s school aid budget, including 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 $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 are providing K-12 classrooms with record funding and we are increasing our investment in special education by $60 million,” Wozniak said. “This vote signifies our support for all the school districts statewide helping make Michigan an even greater place to live, work and raise a family.”

The Legislature-approved plan also:

• 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 Legislature did a good job putting politics aside and working together to ensure classrooms across Michigan are provided with the necessary resources to help students succeed,” Wozniak said. “Our state is a better state when every student has access to a quality education.”

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