LANSING – In a move to ensure all schools have the resources they need for every student to receive the best education possible, State Representative Gino H. Polidori (D-Dearborn) today threw his support behind a plan to give the state's lowest-funded schools more money to hire additional teachers, reduce class sizes and ensure all schools have the essential tools needed to prepare our children for the good-paying jobs of the future.
"We must ensure that every school has the resources to give our children the best education possible to prepare them for their future," said Polidori, who is a member of the House Education Committee. "Our schools are struggling to do more with less every year as teachers are laid off and class sizes increase. Our children deserve better, and we have a responsibility to make it happen."
Under the plan, funding would be provided tonarrow the gap between the lowest- and highest-funded school districts.
The disbursement amount would vary based on how much each district currently receives, gradually bringing the lowest
district payments in line with Michigan's higher-funded districts.At least
$20 million would be available for equity payments through the program in the first year.
Michigan's 774 school districts receive revenue through the Michigan School Aid Fund (SAF). Proposal A, of 1994, made a promise to eliminate the gap between the highest- and lowest-funded districts. However, the provision of Proposal A that would have ensured equity was stopped in 1999 before reaching its intended goal. As a result, large per-student funding disparities still exist under the current SAF distribution formula. Due to these disparities, some schools have the resources for top-notch instruction and smaller class sizes while other districts struggle to provide children with essential educational tools.
"When we invest in our schools and our children, we invest in our future here in Michigan," Polidori said. "The 21st century global economy will demand more of its future workers. We must fight to ensure that our schools have the resources they need to get our children started on the road to success. This plan will help make that happen."