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Fair Funding For Schools

Fair Funding For Schools. Our Kids Can’t Wait. Fair Funding for Schools. There is a school funding crisis in Michigan Unless there are corrections that restore the original promise of the law that provides school funding, school districts will become financially insolvent.

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Fair Funding For Schools

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  1. Fair Funding For Schools Our Kids Can’t Wait

  2. Fair Funding for Schools • There is a school funding crisis in Michigan • Unless there are corrections that restore the original promise of the law that provides school funding, school districts will become financially insolvent

  3. Fair Funding for Schools • Increasing costs in the face of decreasing revenues presents a serious challenge for schools. • The funding crisis has become a problem across the state. Every Michigan school district will be affected.

  4. Fair Funding for Schools • Let your legislators know that you are concerned parents, grandparents and citizens who care about your schools.

  5. School Aid Fund Amount allocated to MI schools Number of students in MI Number of hours/student/year Amount funded/child/hour $12,527,000,000 1,734,000 1,098 $6.58 Source: Financing Our Children’s Future St. Clair RESA

  6. Increases in Fixed Costs • Nearly $2,000 per student goes to retirement and current employee healthcare. • The proposed $175 per student foundation increase will likely be completely used to pay for the added cost of just those two items. • Virtually none of the $175 will go to students. Source: MASB & MASA Legislative Conference March 17, 2005

  7. Public School Employee Retirement Costs • The State requires local school districts to fund teacher’s retirement. • The retirement rate will increase in October 2005 from 14.87% to 16.34%. • For every 1%increase in the retirement rate, it costs your school district approximately $60 per student. Source: MASB & MASA Legislative Conference March 17, 2005

  8. How schools have responded to cuts • January 2003 – May 2004 • 272 districts (52%) laid off 2,700 employees • 393 districts (75%) did not fill open positions • 277 districts (52%) had increased class size • 434 districts (83%) reduced supply budgets • 52% deferred maintenance on existing facilities • 36% froze salaries/benefits for some employees Resource: Michigan School Business Officials October 2004

  9. How schools have responded to cuts • Districts expect to balance 2004-05 budgets • 216 will lay off 5,400 employees • 330 (77%) will not fill open positions • 226 (52%) will increase class size • 256 (48%) will defer $25 million in renovations and repairs • 90 (21%) will reduce school days • 154 (36%) will reduce staff hours • 217 (50%) will delay purchasing textbooks • 340 (79%) will spend from savings Resource: Michigan School Business Officials October 2004

  10. Tax Cuts • The following charts show how the 70+ tax cuts approved by our legislators since 1994 have had a devastating impact on the School Aid Fund.

  11. The Impact of Tax Policies on the School Aid Fund Millions Source: A Review and Analysis of Michigan Tax Policies Impacting K-12 Finances – June 2002

  12. The Impact of Economic Development Policies on the School Aid Fund Millions Source: A Review and Analysis of Michigan Tax Policies Impacting K-12 Finances – June 2002

  13. The Impact of Sales & Use Tax Policy Changes on the School Aid Fund

  14. The Impact of Income Tax Policy Changes on the School Aid Millions Source: A Review and Analysis of Michigan Tax Policies Impacting K-12 Finances – June 2002

  15. The Impact of Tax Cuts on the School Aid Fund Millions Source: A Review and Analysis of Michigan Tax Policies Impacting K-12 Finances – June 2002

  16. Source: A Review and Analysis of Michigan Tax Policies Impacting K-12 Finances – June 2002

  17. The Challenge • This is a state problem, not a local one. • This is a revenue problem, not a spending problem. • Economic growth alone cannot resolve the problem.

  18. The Challenge • Budget cuts will soon impact the children in your district. • There is not enough money to adequately fund education. • The tax structure in Michigan needs to change.

  19. The Challenge • Schools must remain competitive on a world class basis. • We need to provide our children with a solid education which requires stable funding.

  20. What can you do? • Write, phone or email your legislators • State Senator Mike Goschka • State Representatives Roger Kahn, Carl Williams and John Moolenaar • Governor Jennifer Granholm

  21. Writing Letters to Legislators • Key messages • “I am writing to let you know how concerned I am about funding for our schools.” • “I am a voter in your district and writing to voice my concern about Michigan’s school funding.”

  22. What can you do? • Write a letter to your local newspaper editor • Rally your community members to contact your legislators and the governor • Take this message to your friends and neighbors.

  23. What can you do? Be ready to rally in Lansing!

  24. Who should get involved? • People who value education • Parents • Grandparents • School board members • Business owners • Community members

  25. For more informationvisit these websites: • www.restoreproposala.org • www.stopschoolcuts.com • www.mipublicschools.org • www.msbo.org • www.michigank16.org

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