The Governor’s Executive Proposed Budget provides increases in the school aid foundation allowance and several categorical grants yet at the same time strips away some of the 2015 surplus in the school aid fund to help to cover the state’s general fund shortfall. Please note that this is just the beginning of the budget process to include hearings in both the House and Senate. This will be a process likely finished in June with an important Safe Roads election held in May.

 

The Governor’s budget also has a strong commitment to children in poverty, early literacy, workforce development, and meeting obligations regarding unfunded MPSERS liabilities.

 

The $13.9 billion FY ’16 School Aid Budget increases include:

• $108 million ($75) per student foundation allowance, raising the Minimum to $7,326 and the Basic grant to $8,174 per student.

• $960 million increase for MPSERS payments to cover the Accrued Liability in MPSERS.

• $409 million (an increase of $100 million) for “at risk” funding to address early literacy and college-career readiness;

• $250 million in Great Start Preschool Programs;

• $75 million (an increase of $71 million) to support distressed districts;

• $48 million in state/federal funds to support interventions to improve early literacy; 3d Grade Reading Initiative

• $30 million ($20 per pupil) for districts who implement “best practices”;

• $25 million in technology infrastructure grants; and

• $15 million to implement teacher and administrator evaluations.

This Week in Lansing

Both Chambers of the Legislature have been preparing policy agendas that include numerous educational issues. Last week we reported the Senate is focused on 3rd Grade Reading, Financial Early Warning System, Evaluations, and matching up Education with Skilled Trades and Work force development.

House Speaker Cotter has announced Education Policy inclusive of 3rd Grade Reading, School District Early Warning Systems, and Evaluations. The House Policy Team also announced efforts to change the “school report Card”, Charter School Accreditation, and moving the MPSERS structure to a 401K System.

The only education bill currently moving is HB 4059 sponsored by Rep. Holly Hughes (R-Montague). The bill addresses Critical Shortage needs. The bill should be reported out of The Financial Liability Reform Committee next week for consideration on the House floor.

Other bill introductions that have our attention are:

HB 4143 – Rep. Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center) that prohibits implementation of Common Core Standards and Assessments.

HB 4144 – Rep. Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center) that prohibits implementation of Next Generation Science Standards.

HB 4157 – Rep. Phil Potvin (R-Cadillac) that extends allowable days off for inclement weather to nine.

On the Senate Side we will keep an eye on:

SB 0033 – Sen. Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair) that provides privacy measures for student data.

SB 0069 – Sen. Darwin Booher (R-Evart) that has implications for concurrent enrollment.