State funding system for schools "broken," governor says

Act now to help schools avoid more cuts this year

MEA President Iris K. Salters, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, and 20 other education leaders on Tuesday called on lawmakers to immediately provide revenues to fund public schools.

Without  additional funds, schools will face severe budget cuts, mass layoffs, or worse.

“Education is the best, the prominent, the one and only top strategy for diversifying our economy,” Granholm said during a press conference, flanked by Salters and others. “If we decide to gut public schools…then, shame on us.”

Said Salters: “Schools have not faced this kind of instability statewide – ever.”

On Monday, Granholm signed House Bill 4447, the appropriations bill for Michigan’s public schools for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. The bill cut $165 per pupil for all school districts. But the bill also called for spending $60 million more than the state has to spend, so Granholm also vetoed extra money for 39 school districts that were promised the money to avoid spending reductions under Proposal A in 1994.

On top of these cuts, state tax revenues continue to lag behind projects. State Budget Director Bob Emerson said schools could see an additional cut this school year, perhaps around $120 per student.

If nothing changes, Granholm said that “many more schools” will be driven into financial deficit. She described the current system of school funding as “broken.”

“Schools are being asked to succeed with a failed business plan,” said Ray Telman, executive director of the Middle Cities Education Association. “They can’t be efficient, effective, or economical.”

Granholm urged lawmakers, especially Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, to back legislation to provide additional funding. Responding to reporters’ questions, Granholm said additional funds could come from a variety of sources, such as closing business tax loopholes or selling more liquor licenses.

For his part, Bishop wrote Granholm a letter that said, “Do not veto portions of these budgets with the expectation that money will be reappropriated at a later date to fund the vetoed programs. There is not sufficient support in the Senate Republican caucus for tax increases and for you to think otherwise is a mistake.”

In addition to MEA and Middle Cities, representatives attending Granholm’s press conference included officials from Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of School Administrators, Michigan Small and Rural Schools Association, Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association, American Federation of Teachers, and several intermediate school districts.

Act now – Contact your legislators

School districts cannot afford more cuts this year; a long-term solution to provide stable funding for education is necessary. Please contact your legislators immediately. Ask them to work together to find sufficient revenue to fund public education this year and in future years.

Related:
MEA News Release: MEA president comments on further K-12 budget cuts
District-by-district impact of $165 per pupil cut
Sen. Majority Leader's Oct. 20 letter to Granholm

Updated: October 23, 2009