LANSING — An updated and expanded version of the School Aid budget passed the House by a vote of 91 to 18. In response, state Rep. Sheryl Kennedy (D-Davison), who voted against the budget, issued the following statement:
“While I appreciate the willingness to move the budget in a positive direction by increasing per-pupil funding, it is nowhere near the level of funding needed to fully support our students. The School Finance Research Collaborative indicated that there is over a $2,000 per-pupil shortfall, which does not include additional costs for more expensive services needed by some students, including at-risk programs, special education and CTE courses. This budget does not keep up with inflation and continues to take a one-size-fits-all approach to educating our kids. I cannot support this budget as written, but I look forward to continuing conversations on how to improve it so that Michigan finally puts our students first.”
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