WALKER, Mich., July 20, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 173, the education budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, at a ceremony today in Traverse City. The bill contains funding for K-12 schools, community colleges and Michigan’s 15 public universities.
“A good education is the foundation of a successful life. That’s why I’m so excited to see this budget signed into law,” said state Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Walker). “We’ve included investments at every stage of a student’s journey: additional access to high-quality preschool; a record amount of per-pupil K-12 funding; an expansion of the Michigan Reconnect program for jobs and skills training; and increased funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. These investments will pay dividends for generations to come.”
Glanville, who chairs the House Higher Education Committee and sits on the House Education Committee, was able to secure nearly $34 million for the school systems and charter schools in her district: Comstock Park Public Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grandville Public Schools, Kenowa Hills Public Schools, Walker Charter Academy and West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science. More than $5 million will go toward student mental health, and nearly 13,000 students are now eligible for free breakfast and lunch.
“Children need to feel their best in order to learn at their best,” Glanville said. “Addressing student hunger and mental health eliminates barriers to achievement and gives our kids the best shot at success in the classroom and beyond.”