Policies for a Stronger Michigan

Michigan's school funding system is failing. It needs to be reformed.  In the fifteen years since the inception of the Proposal A school funding system our economy has changed, our students have changed and our world has changed. Our school funding system needs to change as well. The needs are immediate as evidenced by the record number of school districts in deficit (bankruptcy) and the many more that are at the edge of a financial cliff. Both short- and long-term strategies are urgently needed to address the challenges faced by Michigan’s schools.

SOS represents a broad spectrum of school employee groups, the MPTSA, school boards and others. (See list on page 3.) In support of our goals, we offer our positions and plans as described below. We’re actively seeking engagement with others in the hope of finding common ground and synergy toward resolving the problems facing our state and schools. Education is a key for Michigan’s economic future and for the future of our students.

We’re sending an SOS to Lansing. We need swift and bold action to make difficult but needed changes.  Schools are preparing their budgets now for the coming year; school employees have jobs and benefits on the line. The problems we face in funding schools can’t wait. Lansing needs to act now, not in October.

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