The Michigan House has passed a series of bills that address school funding in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The House approved three bills that amend the State School Act to direct per pupil funding for the upcoming school year.
The pandemic has altered how schools will do business this fall, and the bills address both in-person and virtual enrollment and attendance.
House Education Committee chair Pamela Hornberger (R-Chesterfield Township) criticizes those whom she says have lobbied for everyone in education except for students and their families.
“This is fair warning: I will be calling you out,” asserts Hornberger. “I will be demanding accountability and transparency, which is what these bills do. From here on out, if you are not prepared to join me in putting students and families first…you need to get out of the way.”
Rep. Sheryl Kennedy (D-Davison) is a former middle school principal. She says the package is the best lawmakers can do at this time.
“We could negotiate for another four or five months,” Kennedy says. “But, we need to do what government is sent here to do; and that is, to make the government work. That means to get schools open.”
The bills call for funding levels that combine last year’s pupil count with the upcoming count that will take place in October.
The bills now go to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her approval.
