State House OKs Cuts To Education Funding, But Budget Still Not Finalized

Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jackie Johnston expresssed frustration Friday to the news that the state's House of Representative passed a school funding bill that could cut per-pupil funding for the next budget year.

"I am very disappointed in the lack of support for public education," Johnston said. "The raid on K-12 public education funds is unacceptable, especially when there are monies available in the School Aid Fund that would negate the need for cuts."

The state House narrowly passed a version of the state Senate's school funding bill with a 57-53 vote Thursday. While the vote put a budget in place, the Senate and House will have to reconcile the two versions of the bill before a budget can be finalized.

The current House bill would cut $256-$297 per-pupil on top of a $170 per-pupil cut (already in place), depending on the amount of grants the school receives.  

The bill also takes $900 million from the School Aid Fund to be distributed among 15 public universities and 28 community colleges.

In reaction to the proposed cuts, White Lake Resident Lesley Mager McBride said she was disappointed.

"I am very sad that they would vote to balance the budget on the backs of the kids. They just don't understand that the children are our future and education is important," she said.

But not everyone was blaming the state. Robert Bakula, of White Lake, said he believes legislators understand children are the future.

"But for years money has been thrown at the schools and educational system, and graduation rates don't seem to improve," he said. "I know if you walked through any school you could find tons of waste. It is time for all of us to become more efficient and do more with less. I know I have to, why can't the schools?"

The Michigan Education Association (MEA), Michigan’s largest teachers’ union, had this to say in a release Thursday night: "This vote is very disappointing, the budget battle isn’t over. The House and Senate now must reconcile competing funding plans. We continue to work around the clock to try to stop the GOP-controlled Legislature from cutting vital education funding that helps students, but we need your help."

Late last month the Huron Valley Schools Board of Education passed a resolution against taking money from the School Aid Fund.

Trustee Sean Carlson, who introduced the resolution, said losing the money will weaken the School Aid Fund and it's ability to adequately fund public schools.

"As a result of Proposal A, we are reliant on the state for the majority of our funding," Johnston said. "By diverting a portion of our funding to higher education, the governor's proposal puts our students' education in jeopardy. Unlike local school districts, higher education institutions can increase their tuition and fees to increase revenues. Therefore, the School Aid Fund should remain dedicated to K-12 public education as it was intended."

In a letter home to parents, in March when the cuts were first proposed, the district said the per-pupil cuts, coupled with loss of revenue from declining enrollment, special education funding, expiring federal stimulus funds, increased health care costs and increased utility and fuel charges would give the the district an estimated $12.9 million deficit.

The district must have a budget in place by June 30.

"The impact on Huron Valley Schools is especially painful as we are funded below the state average and are one of the lowest funded districts in Oakland County (ranked 24 out of 28 districts in funding)," Johnston said. "Despite this, our student test score and graduation rates rival high-funded districts in the county."

"Huron Valley Schools is a model of what the governor is proposing school districts do," she continued. "We are low funded but high achieving. We have consolidated services and our employees have made concessions in compensation and benefits. We shouldn't be punished for our efforts by cutting our budget."