Dear Neighbor,

As a former president of the Pontiac School Board and the Michigan Association of School Boards, I understand what’s at stake when a school budget falls apart. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when funding is delayed: teachers walk into classrooms without the resources they need, school buses sit idle and students go without the mental health support and meals they depend on to learn and thrive.

That’s why I’ve continued sounding the alarm.

Under the leadership of the House speaker, actors in Michigan’s education system have expressed that we are heading toward a crisis. Schools in Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Waterford and across the entire state, are already grappling with uncertainty caused by threats to both state and federal funding. If we do not act quickly, we are risking a government shutdown that could disrupt school operations, delay critical payments and harm the very children we’re supposed to be fighting for.

Federal changes proposed in H.R. 1 (also known as the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”) could harm essential programs by reducing free and reduced-price meal eligibility and removing Medicaid reimbursements for special education and school health services. These funds are not luxuries; they are lifelines for districts like those I represent that serve a high percentage of vulnerable students.

The House Republican’s state omnibus budget, led by the Speaker, may raise base per-pupil funding, but it comes at a high cost for families and schools. A closer look at the fine print shows that these “increases” come from restructuring specific, designated funding for transportation, mental health, early literacy and free and reduced meals. I believe this is cruel and inequitable policy and far from fiscal responsibility. It will likely force schools to make impossible choices between busing kids to school or providing them with the support services they need once they get there.

And worst of all: because the Legislature has failed to finalize the budget by the statutory July 1 deadline, many schools across Michigan are already eating up their savings and taking out high interest loans to pay for school operations. If the budget is not passed by Oct. 1, the Oct. 20 state aid payment will be delayed, leaving districts without the money to meet even their most basic obligations.

In my opinion, this is a dereliction of duty and a failure of the government. To the many parents, teachers and school staff who have reached out to my office — thank you. Your voices are being heard, and your concerns are driving this fight. I see your fear, your frustration and your fierce love for your students. You are not alone in this. We are standing up together.

So we keep fighting. We keep advocating. We organize, speak out and push back — because our children cannot afford more broken promises, delayed payments or dismantled support systems. 

To every educator, parent, school worker and student reading this: stay engaged. Stay loud. Your advocacy matters, and together, we will demand the budget our children deserve. As always, feel free to reach out to my office with any questions at (517)373-2577 or [email protected]. 

In Service,

Brenda Carter

State Representative 

House District 53