The Michigan State House of Representatives passed HB 5291, the education omnibus budget bill for the upcoming fiscal year, by a vote of 72 to 36 last Tuesday. The bill’s passing came despite distatisfaction from many House Democrats. The budget raises state spending per pupil from the State Maximum Guaranteed Foundation by a range of $60 to $120. The state, under the budget proposal, would also redirect $72 million dollars away from the statewide tobacco settlement funds toward the Detroit Public Schools trust fund.
Additionally, the budget provides over $9 million for water lead testing in the wake of the Flint water crisis and another $10.1 million to the Flint Community Schools district. The additional funding will provide universal preschool education in the city, universal Early On testing — which provides testing for children to ensure they are meeting developmental standards — and the hiring of more school social workers and nurses.
Rep. Brandt Iden (R–Oshtemo) said the increase of funding at all levels of education represents an ultimate investment in Michigan’s economy.
“Ensuring that our children have access to a world-class education is the best way to ensure their future prosperity and the furtherance of Michigan’s economic comeback,” Iden said.
Despite the augments in education spending, however, House Democrats voiced opposition to the budget, claiming the plan does not go far enough to help students in traditional brick-and-mortar schools and failing school districts.
A press release from the House Democrats pointed to six key amendments to the bill that were introduced by Democratic representatives but subsequently struck down by their Republican counterparts. These amendments, according to the press release, aimed to increase fairness through a reallocation of funds to struggling school districts in particular.
The failed amendments included a provision to move funds away from private, for-profit schools to pay for literacy coaches in lower-performing schools instead. Other proposed amendments include a push for increased accessibility to feminine hygiene products in schools, adding $10 million back into the budget to fund the replacement Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress or M-STEP exam — a test to evaluate if students are meeting state standards — reducing funding for school CEOs and increasing higher education funding to keep college costs down.
A number of state legislators hailed the increase for all Michigan K-12 schools as a victory for Michigan students, but Rep. Sam Singh (D–East Lansing), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, criticized the funding as inequitable.
“We’re pleased to see more funding being put into K-12 schools, but not all districts will see the increase they need to operate effectively, and some areas of the budget seem to focus more on corporate interests,” Singh said. “We urge continued consideration of these amendments … our Republican counterparts understand that students must be the priority.”
Other House Democrats accused Republicans of serving corporate interests by funding for-profit schools. Rep. Sarah Roberts (D–St. Clair Shores), minority vice chair of the House Appropriations School Aid Subcommittee, echoed these concerns.
“All of Michigan’s public schools should be following the law and providing financial reports on their or their district’s website to be transparent regarding how they are spending taxpayer money. Many for-profit charters think they are above the law,” Roberts said. “Cyber charter schools are getting the full $120 per-pupil increase, yet they don’t have the same costs as brick-and-mortar schools. As other districts and students suffer with crumbling buildings, cyber schools get to make a larger profit.”