COVID-19 RECOVERY
Understand the impact of COVID-19 on our community requires collaboration and courage to rise above the rubble
Public education is a pillar in a civilized society and key to a thriving, local community and state. As a society we make investments in our public institutions which in turn make investments back into our society for universal public good and, there’s no doubt that public education is one of the most important issues facing our state.
Stop using the School Aid fund to fill holes in the state budget.
The School Aid Fund should be off limits to cover budget deficits elsewhere: The state's general fund is at the same level today as 20 years ago and 2011 tax cuts to businesses has put general fund dollars in a shell game to cover short falls in areas like the School Aid Fund.State funding for the K-12 School Aid Fund should not be tapped into or reappropriated for any reason. Educating our children and turning them into the problem solvers of the future should be the top priority of our state.
Appropriately fund public education based on student need, not their zip code.
Investing in public education is an investment in our children’s future and funding for public education should be informed by sound research and data. When research shows that Michigan isn’t funding public education that keeps up with the rate of inflation that is a problem.
Fully fund special education so all students benefit.
We need to re-invest in IDEA and provide state funding for special education students. Rochester Community Schools has the 3rd largest number of special needs students in Oakland County, and the unique costs that come with educating special needs students are often felt by local communities and school districts. Special education students are shortchanged by the state by about $700,000 every year. The unique costs of special education staffing and supplies then fall unto local communities and school districts, and the total dollar amount for every student effectively drops.
Continue to invest and end the stigma of skilled trades education.
The state investing in education as well as practical skills and job training for special needs students is not only a moral and ethical obligation, it ensures our local communities have enough money to educate all students and give them applicable skills to enter the workforce.
ISSUES