Richardville: Per pupil funding increased in school aid budget
LANSING - The Senate approved the final 2008 fiscal year school aid budget Tuesday providing per pupil funding increases for local school districts, said Sen. Randy Richardville.
"Education is one of our top priorities," said Richardville, R-Monroe. "We want to make sure that students have the resources they need to become better educated and develop skills that will be instrumental throughout their entire lives. Providing additional funding will help schools better educate and prepare our students."
The school aid budget will provide a $48 per pupil increase to every district at or above $8,385 in the 2006-2007 fiscal year and a $96 increase for those districts or public school academies at $7,108.
School districts throughout the 17th District will receive the maximum $96 per pupil increase, including Monroe, Bedford, Dundee and Airport in Monroe County and Grass Lake, Vandercook and Michigan Center in Jackson County. In Washtenaw County, Milan will receive $96, while Manchester will get $92 and Saline $89.
The approved budget included two amendments offered by Sen. Richardville that will encourage districts to report detailed financial information so residents can see how their school dollars are being spent and encourage the use of common software among districts within an intermediate school district.
"These basic reforms are important because they will help our schools become more efficient," Richardville said. "Parents will be provided with more information about how schools are using financial resources. Schools will also be able to share computer programs and software. These are just two examples of how reforms can be made to help our schools assist students better."
In addition to these reforms, the Senate passed several educational reform measures in early October that will address the skyrocketing cost of health benefits and teacher retirement. These measures will help return more money to the classroom.
Posted: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
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