Parent Group Continues Push for School Funding (MI)
June 2, 2011
When they began in early 20 07, Michigan Parents for Schools called themselves “Ann Arbor Parents for Schools.” Though still based in Ann Arbor, one of the primary aspects of MIPF’s work remains focused on public school funding.
“We started with the aim of ensuring an adequate and stable source of funding for public schools in Michigan,” said MIPFS Executive Director Steve Norton, “and that is still one of our primary action areas.”
Much of MIPFS’s work is online. They prompted many of their activists, who number several thousand across the state, to contact the governor and state Legislature about the School Aid budget. Now their efforts will continue on education.
“We’ll be doing an educational push to explain what the budget cuts mean to districts around the state, and to urge parents and citizens to get involved in their local school budget process,” Norton said about upcoming MIPFS activities. “When these kinds of significant funding cuts come down the pike, it’s critical that the public understand what programs might be cut, what the alternatives were, and why certain things are on the chopping block. “Everyone also needs to understand that local districts do not control their own revenue, and have limited options in how to make cuts. Not making cuts, and adding revenue, are simply not an option, except for some small initiatives. Local schools should not take the heat for decisions which had their origin in Lansing, especially when those budget decisions are in themselves suspect.”
According an EPIC-MRA poll released prior to the state Legislature passing the budget: “72 to 68 percent opposes Snyder plan/legislative plan to cut school funding.” The poll surveyed 600 people and has a margin of error of 4 percent.
“While the state general fund budget was in deficit,” said Norton, “the dramatic cuts to schools would not have been necessary if the tax cut to business had been more moderate.”
The recently passed education budget plan reduces the state’s minimum per-pupil foundation allowance for public schools from $7,316 to $6,846 per-student, a 6.4 percent decrease in funding. The reductions would be implemented Oct. 1.
House Bill 4325, covering education funding, passed the Senate by a 21-17 vote and the House by a 59-50 vote last week. Voting was mainly along party lines, with most Republicans voting for the bill and all Democrats voting against it.
Possible results from the school cuts will be employees receiving cuts in benefits and pay; unions have less contract negotiation power; larger class sizes for students; and increase in participation fees for extracurricular activities.
Norton believes that it’s critical for parents, especially parents in the Ann Arbor area, to understand that no single community or district can solve funding issues on its own. He stressed that just as the all the districts and communities in Washtnaw County are tied together, “all of us in Michigan are tied together when it comes to public schools.”
“We can’t simply come out to fight over one budget bill and then go back home as if we’re all done,” Norton said. “The only way to ensure quality public education in Michigan is to engage the entire state in a conversation about what we want our schools to provide and what resources are necessary to make that possible.
“Right now, we do it backward: We set a funding system in stone and then try to shoehorn quality education into whatever that system provides. Instead of arguing about how much to cut schools, we need to agree on the need to invest in our schools, and sacrifice, if necessary, to ensure a sound future for our children and our communities.”
In addition to advocacy for school funding at the state level, MIFPS assists parents and other concern citizens who want to engage with their local schools by providing organizational tools and informational materials.
“Our public schools belong to us, and our investment in them reflects our common commitment to improving the future of our children and our communities,” Norton said.