Livingston Today

The Michigan House Appropriations Committee, led by State Rep. Ann Bollin, has emphasized the importance of local control in education funding decisions. This position was reinforced after a spokesperson for the Michigan Education Association (MEA), the state's largest teachers' union, told The Detroit News that the union values “providing Michigan’s widely varying school districts individual flexibility to meet their students’ needs.”

Rep. Bollin stated that this perspective aligns with the intent behind the K-12 budget proposal approved by the House earlier this year. “Our K-12 budget was built around the idea that the people closest to students — parents, local school boards, and educators — know best how to help them succeed,” said Bollin. “I’m glad to see the MEA echoing that message. When we put trust in our local schools instead of Lansing bureaucrats, we give every district the flexibility to address their unique challenges and invest in what matters most for their kids.”

The proposed $21.9 billion K-12 budget plan would increase per-student foundation allowance to $12,000, representing a rise of $2,392 from current levels. The plan seeks to reduce state-level mandates and instead allow districts greater discretion over spending priorities such as reading programs, mental health services, school safety improvements, transportation, or after-school tutoring.

Bollin also noted that the proposal restores funding for school safety and mental health initiatives previously cut last year and allocates more than $300 million for competitive grants aimed at reducing class sizes, supporting early reading success, and upgrading infrastructure.

“This is about meeting schools where they are,” Bollin said. “A rural district in the Upper Peninsula has different needs than an urban district in Detroit or a suburban district in Livingston County. Local control means they can each make the right calls for their students. That’s exactly the approach our budget takes. I’m pleased to see we have agreement on that from across the education spectrum.”

The House-approved K-12 budget remains under review as lawmakers negotiate toward a final agreement with both Senate members and Governor Whitmer.