Michigan House Approves Funding Cuts to School Districts

In a narrow 57-53 vote, the Michigan House of Representatives voted to reduce funding to local school districts, community colleges and universities on Thursday.

The House proposal would cut school funding by an additional $256 to $297 per student. That's on top of a $170 per student cut that's already in place and would be carried over into next fiscal year.

"It is important to present schools with a balanced state budget in a timely manner so they can prepare and plan their own budgets," state Rep. Mark Ouimet (R-Scio Township) said. "These were tough but necessary decisions.  We spend a massive amount of taxpayer dollars on schools, and rightly so, but the school aid budget cannot be held harmless when the state has a $1.4 billion deficit.

"The reality is that a growing economy and genuine job creation are the best remedies for our budget challenges.  This proposal is a positive step in the right direction," Ouimet said.

State senators have already approved a $340 cut and now the two chambers will now have to reconcile their bills during a Senate-House conference committee before sending the proposal to Gov. Rick Snyder.

Dexter Community Schools officials were unavailable for comment at the time of this posting.