State Rep. Mary Whiteford, of Casco Township, 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.

“Our community and our students will flourish as a result of this plan,” Rep. Whiteford said. “We are increasing special education reimbursements, investing in students in rural districts and delivering more funds to career and technical programs.”

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.

“I am confident the governor will see that this bipartisan plan to educate and support the children of Michigan is a truly positive step,” Whiteford said. “Prompt implementation will give certainty to our families, school administrators and educators.”

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

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