For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jennifer Smith, MASB Director of Government Relations
Email: jsmith@masb.org
Phone: 517.327.5912
Media Contact: Matt Schuller, J.D., MASA Associate Executive Director of Government Relations
Email: mschueller@gomasa.org
Lansing, MI - The Michigan Association of School Boards and Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators issued the following statement today regarding the looming June 30th deadline and lack of state budget.
“It was announced early this week that the Legislature and the Governor have reached a framework for the state budget. However, since then, there has been no further information on spending levels or details about what the final School Aid Budget will entail. The July 1 statutory deadline is 5 days away.
MASB and MASA urge the Legislature and Governor to reach an agreement quickly, even if that includes staying in Lansing this weekend to get it done.
Our organizations strongly support the weighted funding approach for English Language Learners and At-Risk students, an inflationary increase in the per-pupil allowance, stabilization in pupil counts to help declining enrollment districts, changes to school safety and mental health funding language to allow more schools to take advantage of it, and no additional appropriation of K-12 funding to our higher education system.
Completing a responsible and balanced School Aid budget should be the Legislature’s only priority right now. There are 5 days left; schools deserve certainty in funding as they prepare for the next school year. Michigan’s school leaders are willing to work with the Legislature to ensure the state delivers a budget that truly invests in Michigan’s students and schools and is on time.”
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