News of the Day

LANSING, Mich., Oct. 1, 2009 – Schools across Michigan will open their doors to students again today without any idea how much money they will have to operate the rest of this school year after state lawmakers did not reach a budget agreement by last night’s midnight deadline.

“MEA is very disappointed that we’re still without a budget agreement.” said MEA President Iris K. Salters. “School districts have had their own budgets in place since June 1, and have waited all summer for a financial commitment from the Legislature.”

With Wednesday’s Student Count Day concluded, for the first time in recent memory, schools know exactly how many students they will educate without knowing how much money they will have to do it with.

Before the deadline passed, Michigan House Representatives rejected a school aid budget that called for severe spending cuts, but did not pass a budget for the new fiscal year that uses new revenue to invest in education.

“While we are grateful that massive cuts were not passed, this budget stalemate is further proof that Michigan needs fundamental reform in the way we fund schools,” said Salters.