July 1, 2022
MASA Executive Director Dr. Tina Kerr today released the following statement regarding the passage of Michigan’s 2022-2023 School Aid Budget:
“We are very pleased with the Legislature’s passage of the School Aid budget today and look forward to Governor Whitmer signing this vital funding into law as soon as possible. We thank House Appropriations Chair Albert, Senate Appropriations Chair Stamas, and State Budget Director Harkins for their hard work and collaboration in getting this budget done so that our school districts across the state can finalize their own fiscal year budget.
We are grateful for the investment in our classrooms – including the $450 increase in the foundation allowance and record investments in both at-risk and special education funding – the continued emphasis on paying down the MPSERS debt, and the significant investment in programs to combat our growing educator shortage, including funding a Future Educator Fellowship Program, a MI Future Educator Student Teacher stipend program, and a $175 million investment in a grow your own program. We’re also encouraged by the substantial investments in mental health and school safety that give districts the flexibility to spend these dollars in the best way for their district. However, despite these investments, there is still significant state revenue that has gone unspent. We encourage the Legislature and Governor Whitmer to continue to work together in the weeks and months ahead to allocate these resources to our Michigan’s classrooms where they belong and are very much needed.”
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