FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 15, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – Following today’s FY 2026-27 budget estimating conference, Michigan school superintendents urged lawmakers and Gov. Whitmer to avoid the chaos of last year and work together to pass a timely K-12 budget that puts student learning first.
“The K-12 school year is winding down, but the real work in developing budgets for the next school year is just beginning, and school leaders are counting on Lansing to complete its budget so they can finish theirs,” said Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators Executive Director Tina Kerr. “It’s vital that lawmakers and the governor not repeat last year’s mistakes when partisan gridlock caused the School Aid Fund budget to be passed three months late, delaying crucial local district funding decisions like the hiring of teachers and support staff.”
State fiscal leaders gathered today at the annual May Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, projecting slightly higher revenues for both the General Fund and the School Aid Fund for the current and upcoming fiscal years, though projections remain below inflation. Importantly, these projections serve as the baseline for final budget negotiations.
School district leaders need a final School Aid budget that provides adequate and equitable funding to local schools through a weighted funding model, and ensures important programs, such as mental health and school safety funding, are accessible to all districts.
Kerr notes that school superintendents and administrators are ready to work hand-in-hand with state leaders to ensure the budget is completed in advance of the required July 1 deadline.
“We have the numbers, and we’ve seen budgets from the House, Senate, and State Budget Office. There’s a realistic path towards getting the school budget done well before the state-mandated deadline of July 1. We’re ready to work with stakeholders and appropriators to get this done.