Gov. Whitmer’s education budget draws mixed reaction from representatives

Several Northern Michigan pols raise concerns over $300 million school safety budget cut

CADILLAC — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a $23 billion education budget for fiscal year 2025, and with it came mixed reactions from Michigan state representatives.

By the numbers, here’s a look at what Whitmer’s administration prioritized in the budget in both K-12 school districts, higher education and trade education:

WHAT’S IN IT FOR K-12 SCHOOLS:

• $30 million investment to increase funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship
• Equivalent of up to $27,500 toward the cost of attendance for a bachelor’s degree for eligible high school graduates
• $14.5 million for the North American Indian Tuition Waiver, to provide tuition-free education to eligible Native Americans at Michigan public universities and community colleges
• An additional $600 million going into classrooms—the equivalent of more than $400 per pupil
• $2 million to provide marketing and outreach support to ensure families are aware of programming options in their area
• $100 million in recognition of the crucial role of high-quality teachers including continued support for the MI Future Educator Program, funds to retain and develop existing teachers and payments to offset the cost of student loans for educators
• $97 million in funding to support academically at-risk students (a 9% increase), English language learners (a 26% increase), career and technical education students (a 6% increase) and students in rural school districts (a 6% increase)
• $125 million to help rural districts with transportation costs
• $75 million to support students and parents through before and after-school programming

WHAT’S IN IT FOR HIGHER ED AND TRADE SCHOOLS:

• A 2.5% increase for university and community college operations to support higher education learning
• $30 million investment to increase funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship to expand Michigan Guarantee to ensure every high school graduate can receive an associate degree or skilled certificate tuition-free at a community college, saving more than 18,000 students up to $4,820 on tuition each year
• $52 million to continue Michigan Reconnect, providing a tuition-free pathway to adult learners 25 and older
• $20 million increase in the Tuition Incentive Program, which provides tuition support to lower-income students at Michigan colleges, public universities, and private universities
• $14.5 million for the North American Indian Tuition Waiver, to provide tuition-free education to eligible Native Americans at Michigan public universities and community colleges

In a July 23 statement, Whitmer said the balanced education budget makes record-breaking investments to support students, invest in schools and empower educators

“With access to free pre-K for all, record funding for students, free school meals, on-campus mental health resources, and tuition-free community college for every high school graduate,” Whitmer said, “this budget will improve outcomes, lower costs and strengthen our education system.”

Several Michigan representatives have voiced support for the budget’s priorities, including state Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), state Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), state Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) and state Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park).

“This education budget proves that when we listen to our students, families and teachers, we can deliver smart, innovative investments that support every Michigan student’s education,” Witwer said.

Camilleri said providing excellent, equitable public education is the key ingredient for building stronger communities, a stronger Michigan and a stronger society.

“It is important not just for producing talented professionals for the workforce, but creating compassionate, thoughtful neighbors and residents,” Camilleri said.

Some representatives voiced concern regarding the budget’s impact on school safety with a funding cut of $300 million, a 90% reduction.

State Rep. Cam Cavitt on Tuesday spoke out against the reduction, claiming that with one signature, the governor left kids across Northeast Michigan less safe and without critical mental health resources.

“Our teachers will suffer. Our kids are going to suffer. But Democrats don’t care who loses as long as they view themselves as winners,” Cavitt said.

Cavitt noted that in his community alone, next year’s budget cuts school safety funding by nearly $2.4 million.

According to Cavitt, the districts that lost the most include Alpena Public Schools, which lost $770,910; Cheboygan Area Schools, which lost $311,262; and Oscoda Area Schools, which lost $252,871.

State Supt. Michael F. Rice said Michigan’s 2025 school aid budget continues recent investments in education in many categories but includes a concerning reduction in student mental health funding.

“While we appreciate the additional investments by the governor and legislature in categories that assist economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, English learners, and students in rural or isolated districts, I am concerned about a significant reduction in funding for student mental health and school safety,” Rice said.

State Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord) also took issue with the cut in school safety funding.

“This isn’t some downstate issue that won’t affect us in Northern Michigan,” Borton said. “This is a very real crisis that Democrats are not just ignoring but making even worse. These cuts mean that our students will lack critical access to mental health resources. We can only pray that this budget does not leave a child without a professional to talk to when they need one most.”

Borton noted that next year’s budget cuts school safety funding in his community by more than $3.5 million.

According to Borton, the districts that lost the most include Gaylord Community Schools, which lost $581,930; Crawford AuSable Schools, which lost $343,961; Lake City Area School District, which lost $244,355; Houghton Lake Community Schools, which lost $242,976; and Roscommon Area Public Schools, which lost $170,266.

Area organization representatives who voiced positive feedback on the budget included the president of AFT Michigan, Terrence Martin; CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation Alicia Guevara Warren; and president of the Michigan Community College Association Brandy Johnson.

“We are excited to see much-needed investment and commitment to young children and their families to ensure access to high-quality early care and learning opportunities from birth through pre-K,” Guevara Warren said.

Johnson said that with the signing of the education budget, the Community College Guarantee will become a reality for recent high school graduates.

“More Michiganders will be able to obtain an associate degree or skills certificate thanks to this tuition-free path for in-district students, a significant award capped at the in-district rate for those not eligible for in-district tuition, and an additional $1,000 for students who qualify for the federal Pell Grant to cover non-tuition costs of attendance like textbooks and transportation,” Johnson said.