State Rep. Ryan Berman today supported a budget plan to provide record funding levels for K-12 education.

“I am proud to support record spending for our schools to provide a quality education for Michigan students,” said Berman, of Commerce Township. “Learning challenges brought on by the pandemic will make record funding even more important in the upcoming school year.”

House Bills 4411 and 4421, which passed the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support, provide a record $16.7 billion for school aid, including $8,700 per pupil for the foundation allowance. The plan also allocates more than $4 billion in one-time federal COVID-19 relief, providing every school with at least $1,093 in additional funding per student.

The spending plan further includes $418 million — a $168 million increase — for the Great Start Readiness Program, the state’s 4-year-old preschool program for low-income families. Berman has been a strong advocate for strengthening and expanding early childhood education.

Additionally, the budget increases spending for special education to $1.7 billion and invests $560 million to support the school retirement system.

HB 4411 now advances to the Senate for consideration.