LANSING – State Representative Richard E. Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Township) announced today that the final 2008 state budget includes a School Aid Fund plan that will increase financial support for the state's lowest-funded districts, allowing them to hire more teachers in high-demand subjects such as math and science, keep class sizes small and prepare Michigan's students for the good-paying jobs of the 21st century.
"All our students deserve a high-quality education so they can be prepared for good-paying jobs in this fast-changing economy," said Hammel, who worked on the 2008 state budget for months as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "In order for that to happen, we have to give our schools the financial resources they need. This plan increases our investment in Genesee County schools to make sure that our young people can compete for 21st century jobs with workers around the world, and that Michigan can attract employers in emerging industries to create those jobs right here."
Under the K-12 budget passed by the House on Tuesday, school districts currently receiving the lowest payments – which include most of the ones in Hammel's district – will be brought in line with higher-funded districts through increases in equity payments. The equity payments will be based on how much districts currently receive – schools that receive $8,433 or more per student will see a $48-per-pupil increase in funding, while districts that receive $7,108 per student will receive a $96-per-pupil increase. School districts currently receiving payments in between these levels will receive an increase between $48 and $96 based on a sliding scale.
Flushing Community Schools, for example, will see an increase of $96 per student – the base increase of $48, plus an equity payment of $48, for an additional total payment of $434,234. Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools will receive a $96-per-student increase as well, for a total increase of $320,144. Birch Run, Clio, Durand, Genesee, Lakeville, Millington, New Lothrop and Swartz Creek will also receive the maximum per-student equity payment.
"By investing in education, we will make our state more attractive to employers and investors, and that is a key part of turning our state's economy around," Hammel said.