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LANSING, Mich. — Michigan public schools would receive an $11-per-pupil increase in 2010-2011 under a legislative conference committee agreement reached Wednesday, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The committee agreed to retain most of a current $300 million surplus in the School Aid Fund for now, rather than apply it to the state's general fund budget deficit, the Free Press reported. Schools would receive a total of $12.8 billion during the state fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, according to the Free Press. After paying for the per-pupil increase and other minor funding increases, about $276 million would remain as surplus.
Huron School District Superintendent Rick Naughton told the Free Press that the increase was welcome news that could allow his district to lower class sizes.
The Free Press reported that significant issues remain on the 2011 budget, including a retirement reform measure aimed at state employees.
SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, "Michigan schools get boost," July 1,
2010
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "The Unstable Funding
Myth," June 28, 2010
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