Lansing Sun

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday signed a bipartisan education budget that marks the state’s highest per-pupil investment in history.

The budget calls for improving every child’s in-class experience, building up school facilities, recruiting and training skilled educators, boosting on-campus mental health resources and shoring up school safety; a press release from the governor’s office said. The plan drew praise from educators.

"Gov. Whitmer has worked effectively with the legislature and came through for students and educators, this time with a strong budget that represents the largest per-pupil investment in our state’s history,” David Hecker, president of the American Federation of Teachers Michigan, said in the release.

"The increase in support for at-risk and special education students is critical, as it will better position schools to set vulnerable kids up for success,” Hecker said. “The move to further invest in both career and technical education and colleges and universities also reaffirms the governor’s commitment to strengthening our economy and ensuring Michigan students have options for their future.”

Whitmer noted that it was time to make great strides in improving schools.

“Every kid in every district deserves to feel safe and supported in school, and I am proud today to sign a historic, bipartisan education budget that will make game-changing investments to improve every student’s in-class experience,” she said in the release. 

The budget line items include funding to help schools buy new textbooks, offer more personalized instruction, and strengthen advanced placement and honors classes.

“It also bolsters resources for special education, at-risk funding, and career and technical education while expanding slots in free after-school and preschool programs,” Whitmer said. 

Additionally, the budget provides $250 million to build or renovate classrooms, computer labs and libraries; along with funding for the expansion of teacher recruitment programs.

“This budget is proof of what is possible when we put our students first and stay focused on getting things done,” Whitmer said.

Like Hecker, the Michigan Education Association (MEA) supported the plan.

“On behalf of MEA's 120,000 members from across the state, we would like to thank Gov. Whitmer for listening to the voices of educators and taking our expertise to heart in developing this transformative education budget,” Paula Herbart, MEA president and a veteran teacher from Macomb County, said in the release. “The governor’s new budget will help address serious challenges in our local schools, including the educator shortage, student mental health, and post-pandemic learning support. Every child deserves a quality education and an opportunity for success, and the governor’s budget will go a long way toward achieving that vital goal.”