State House Approves Education Cuts

The state House narrowly passed nearly $1 billion in cuts to K-12 public education Thursday.

The House approved the bill by a 57-53 vote in a plan that means districts would face a cut of at least $436 per student. It's more than a state Senate plan that would cut $340 per pupil, but less than Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed $470.

"It will be devastating if it continues to go through," Lake Fenton Superintendent Wayne Wright said. "It's going to mean major changes for education."

Wright said the district is currently financially sound, but could face a $1.7 million shortfall if the bill is passed.

"We had the No. 1 MEAP scores in the county. We think we are providing good services to our students," he said. "We have a class size of 28 in the elementary school. We don't know what's going to happen if that has to go higher."

Wright said officials have yet to begin discussing what might be cut.

"I don't want to cry wolf and the wolf isn't there," he said. "But the wolf is getting awful close."

Fenton superintendent Timothy Jalkanen, Fenton executive director of finance and personnel Doug Busch and State Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, did not return phone messages.

The cuts also include a 15 percent decrease in state funding to community colleges and university budgets.

The two bills will now have to be reconciled before final passage. Snyder has set a goal of May 31 to complete the budget in which lawmakers are trying to close a $1.4 billion projected deficit.

Republicans say the proposal is part of a larger effort to fix what's been a structural budget problem in the state that includes proposed tax cuts and other reforms designed to encourage economic growth. Democrats counter that the savings hurt students and the social safety net and say there's no evidence tax cuts will improve the economy.

The Michigan Education Association called Thursday's action "very disappointing" and called on parents and other state residents to contact their legislators. "... the budget battle isn't over," the MEA said in a statement on its website. "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."