On Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on PreK-12 released its budget proposal. It includes a per-pupil foundation allowance increase of 4.2% to $10,000. It also increases funding for ISDs, career and technical education, Early On and rural and isolated districts by a matching 4.2%

The Senate proposal also includes language to say that 50% of the foundation allowance increase must be used to increase educator pay. It follows the Governor’s lead on the Great Start Readiness Program by removing the income eligibility and giving the Michigan Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential Department more discretion on how to administer the program. 

The proposal includes a 25% increase to at-risk funding and funds school safety and mental health at $350 million. Free meals, transportation funding and declining enrollment support all continue at current levels.

We are currently working through the budget proposal and will have a more detailed analysis and comparison to the Governor’s proposal on our website soon.  The House proposal is not expected to come out for another couple of weeks.

We urge you to continue to talk to your legislators about your needs in funding, and especially the timeline. Unfortunately, we are not getting strong indications that the School Aid budget will be completed by June 30. Make sure your legislators understand the importance of having solid information by then, that it’s not just an arbitrary date.