LANSING – In order to ensure schools have the resources they need for their students to receive the best education possible, House Democrats today unveiled a new plan to give the state's lowest-funded schools more money to hire additional teachers, reduce class sizes and distribute necessary resources for our schools.
"All children deserve the opportunity to receive a high-quality education, and this plan will help ensure that schools throughout Michigan are able to provide that," said State Representative Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township). "Education is the foundation of success not just for Michigan's children, but also for the growth of our businesses and our state's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Investing in education must be our No. 1 priority."
Under the plan, funding would be provided tonarrow the gap between the lowest- and highest-funded school districts. The disbursement amount would vary based on how much each district currently receives, gradually bringing the lowest district payments in line with Michigan's higher-funded districts.At least $20 million would be available for equity payments through the program in year one.
Michigan's 774 school districts receive revenue through the Michigan School Aid Fund (SAF). Proposal A, of 1994, made a promise to eliminate the gap between the highest- and lowest-funded districts. However, the provision of Proposal A to ensure equity was stopped in 1999 before it reached its intended goal. As a result, large per-student funding differentials still exist through the current SAF distribution formula. Due to these large disparities, certain schools have the resources for top-notch instruction and smaller class sizes while other districts are struggling to provide children essential educational tools.
"Michigan must produce well-educated workers in order to attract emerging industries and high-tech employers, and this plan ensures that all our schools can produce those talented workers," said State Representative Ted Hammon (D-Burton). "We cannot afford to leave any students behind as we fight to move Michigan forward in the 21st century global economy."