Davison, Grand Blanc schools to lose more than $1 million

State Rep. David Martin today highlighted the devastating effect the new state budget is going to have on local school districts, which are facing critical cuts to school safety and mental health funding.

Martin, R-Davison, opposed the budget, which cut per-pupil school safety grants by 92%, leaving only $26.5 million after a $300 million cut.

“These cuts deal a devastating blow to our local schools,” Martin said. “Schools cannot function properly without adequate funding for safety and mental health. These budget cuts recklessly and unnecessarily put our children at risk.”

The Davison and Grand Blanc school districts, in particular, are on track to lose more than $1 million each as a result of these cuts, with other districts in the communities Martin serves facing losses in the hundreds of thousands.

Recent data released by the House Fiscal Agency illustrates how much funding local school districts are set to lose, based on the latest school count numbers:

The reductions are expected to have a profound impact on the ability of districts to maintain essential safety measures and provide necessary mental health support for students.

Even the Michigan Education Association has issued a public statement calling for the Legislature to rethink the school safety cuts and pass supplemental funding to back student mental health and safety efforts.

“There were deep cuts to categorical funding for school safety and student mental health — cuts that will need to be navigated at the local level to keep our schools safe learning spaces for all students and employees,” MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi said. “Our hope is that state lawmakers will return after the summer break to pass a supplemental budget that funds these critical student mental health and safety priorities.”

The cuts were included in the budget negotiated between the governor and the Democrats who control the Legislature. The budget passed along purely partisan lines in the House.

Martin, who voted against the budget, said the funding should be restored.

“Our schools rely on these funds to help ensure safety and well-being of our kids,” Martin said. “We must restore this funding immediately to ensure our schools can continue to provide a safe and supportive environment.”

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