K-12 Alliance of Michigan Calls Governor’s Budget Proposal a Historic Opportunity to Support Kids

The K-12 Alliance of Michigan today applauded Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s budget proposal unveiled today that would make significant new investments in our schools and our students. Importantly, the Governor’s proposed budget continues moving Michigan toward a funding model that meets the individual needs of each and every student.

“The budget proposed by Governor Whitmer today represents a real commitment to the unique needs of our students no matter who they are or how they learn best. Educators have said for years that we must look beyond the per-pupil amounts in the budget and target funding toward special education services, one-on-one tutoring, reading coaching and other supports we know help kids learn but historically haven’t been funded appropriately in our budgets. What the Governor has proposed today is a significant step in that right direction and we look forward to working with our leaders in Lansing to make this budget a reality,” said Erik Edoff, Superintendent of L’Anse Creuse Schools and President of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan. “When we invest in our students’ success we are ultimately investing in our state’s success and Governor Whitmer’s budget puts us on the path to do exactly that.”

In addition to increases in classroom spending, the Governor’s proposed budget would also, for the first time, fund a universal meal program in Michigan schools to ensure no student is going hungry. The federal government had made universal meal programs possible during the pandemic but has since allowed those programs to lapse, putting students at risk once again. Governor Whitmer’s proposal would make Michigan only the fourth state to make nutrition a right for all students inside our schools.

“We know that kids struggle to learn when they are also struggling with hunger and ensuring that not a single student in our state has to go to school and face that reality is one of the best investments we can possibly make,” said Robert McCann, Executive Director of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan. “We appreciate Governor Whitmer putting a budget on the table that will create better pathways to success for students all across Michigan, regardless of the unique challenges any of them may face. We look forward to now getting to work with the legislature to quickly finalize a budget so that districts can get to work on behalf of their students.”

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The K-12 Alliance of Michigan is a coalition of education leaders committed to fighting for strong K-12 schools across Michigan. Comprised of Superintendents from every district in Genesee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne counties, they are collectively responsible for educating over half of Michigan’s students.