The safety of Michigan’s children should be a priority

Jackson schools expected to lose more than $1 million in school safety funding

State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz said today that Michigan’s schools and children are being left behind in the new state budget, emphasizing the devastating impact the budget will have on local school districts, which are facing drastic cuts in funding for school safety and mental health services.

Schmaltz, a Republican from Jackson, opposed the budget, which cut per-pupil funding for school safety by 92 percent, leaving only $26.5 million after a $300 million cut.

“I am deeply concerned about the well-being of our students and the safety of our schools,” Schmaltz said. “These drastic cuts are irresponsible and dangerous. Our schools are the heart of our community, and this decision will leave them vulnerable and struggling to provide a safe, supportive environment for our children.”

Jackson Public Schools, in particular, is expected to lose more than a million dollars as a result of these cuts; other districts in the communities served by Schmaltz must also expect losses in the hundreds of thousands.

Data recently released by the House Fiscal Agency illustrates how much funding local school districts will miss out on based on the latest school census:

The cuts are expected to have a significant impact on districts’ ability to maintain essential safety measures and provide necessary mental health support to students.

Even the Michigan Education Association has issued a public statement urging lawmakers to reconsider cuts to school safety and appropriate additional funding to support student mental health and safety efforts.

“There have been drastic cuts to funding for school safety and student mental health – cuts that must be implemented at the local level to ensure our schools remain safe learning spaces for all students and staff,” said Chandra Madafferi, MEA President and CEO. “We hope state lawmakers will return after summer recess and pass a supplemental budget that funds these important student mental health and safety priorities.”

The cuts were included in the budget the governor negotiated with Democrats, who control the legislature, and the budget was passed in the House along purely partisan lines.

Schmaltz, who voted against the budget, said the funding needs to be restored. She is in the process of arranging a meeting with local school leaders to find out how she can help.

“The safety and mental health of our students are non-negotiable. We must come together to reverse these devastating cuts,” Schmaltz said. “I urge my colleagues in the legislature and the governor to make the well-being of our children a top priority by restoring this vital funding. Our schools cannot afford to wait. This puts our children at risk. Restore the funding.”

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