Whitmer Proclaims Feb. 21-25 Public Schools Week

by | Feb 25, 2022 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Proclaims Feb. 21-25 Public Schools Week in Michigan After Proposing Historic Education Budget

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed February 21-25 as Public Schools Week in Michigan and reiterated her commitment to making historic investments in K-12 education so students can succeed.

 

“Every kid has a birthright to a phenomenal public education in a safe school where they can learn and grow,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I’m proud of the historic investments we have made in Michigan’s public schools without raising taxes. We should build on these efforts to put Michigan students first this year with another budget making the highest per-student funding ever, retaining and recruiting thousands more teachers and staff, and investing $1 billion in school construction and renovation.”

 

“Public Schools Week is a great occasion to reflect on the important role that our local schools play in our communities, as well as the importance of supporting our students, families, teachers and education support professionals — especially during these stressful times,” said Paula Herbart, president of the Michigan Education Association and a veteran teacher in Macomb County. “I hope we can all come together as a state, put aside any differences, and work shoulder-to-shoulder to strengthen our public schools and provide every Michigan child the opportunity to succeed.”

 

Education Investments in the Governor’s proposed FY 2023 Budget: 

  • $18.4 billion investment in education—the most in Michigan history.
  • Highest ever per-student funding—$9,135 for every kid in every district to improve their classroom experience. More personalized learning, new textbooks and equipment, smaller class sizes, and more extracurriculars, AP, and honors classes.
  • A $2,000 bonus for every school employee—teacher, aides, parapros, custodians, administration, bus drivers, cafeteria workers—this fall and another $2,000 bonus for staff that come back to their district in 2023.
  • $11,000 in total bonuses for teachers and certified school staff including school social workers and nurses who stick with their districts for four years.
  • $1 billion for school construction and renovations. Funds to improve air and water quality and build or refurbish classrooms, cafeterias, gyms, and more. Resources to improve classrooms for students to learn math, science, computer science, and technology.
  • Grants to make schools safer for students and staff in the classroom.
  • Enhanced support for special education, economically disadvantaged students, rural districts, and English language learners.
  • Growing career and technical education to put more young Michiganders on paths to good-paying jobs.
  • Free preschool under the Great Start Readiness Program for all eligible 4-year-olds
  • Resources to hire and train 10,000 new teachers, hundreds of on-campus mental health professionals.
  • Open 40 school-based health clinics to serve 20,000 students.

 

In July 2021, Governor Whitmer signed the School Aid budget into law which included $723 million to eliminate the gap between the minimum and maximum foundation allowance by setting both at $8,700 per pupil, an increase of $589 per pupil from the current year minimum amount and an increase of $171 per pupil from the current year target amount. In addition, intermediate school districts receive a 4% operational funding increase.

 

In December 2021, the Michigan Legislature passed a supplemental bill that invests nearly $1 billion in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan into Michigan’s families, communities, and small businesses. The investments made to schools include $150 million for COVID school testing to keep kids safe and learning in-person and $10 million to support teacher recruitment, training, development, and retention.

 

This month, the Michigan Legislature passed a $1.2 billion supplemental bill investing federal resources to keep kids learning in-person and in Michigan’s long-term health care work force.

 

View the full proclamation here.