Sen. Klinefelt’s extensive experience in education positions her to be a fierce champion for students, parents, teachers and staff in her district and across Michigan
Veronica Klinefelt, a mom who spent years watching the education of her children and their friends be shortchanged, stepped up and ran for her local school board in Eastpointe, Michigan in 1998. She quickly became a fierce champion for students, teachers, parents and staff in her community and made headlines after exposing district officials’ embezzlement of $3 million.
Now serving in the Michigan Legislature, Sen. Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe) is using her experience to advocate at the state level to improve educational outcomes for students, give teachers the resources they need to teach our future generations and support parents who want to see their kids have a bright and prosperous future.
“As a mother of four who sent her kids to Eastpointe Public Schools, I want to ensure that every child has the opportunity to flourish,” said Sen. Klinefelt. “The quality of our education system is always a concern for residents, and in all stages of my life in public service, supporting our youngest Michiganders achieve their highest potential has been a top priority of mine.”
Sen. Veronica Klinefelt reads books to students at Pleasantview Elementary School in celebration of National Reading Month.
Since the start of the 2023-2024 legislative session, Sen. Klinefelt has traveled across District 11 and surrounding communities to hear directly from parents, teachers and school administrators on what policies and investments they want to see from the Michigan Legislature. Sen. Klinefelt brought all these conversations with key stakeholders back with her to Lansing as she fought for meaningful investments to be made in the 2024 state budget to support students and educators.
On the left, Sen. Veronica Klinefelt and PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) talk with district officials to learn more about the needs of Michigan schools during a tour of Eastpointe High School. On the right, Sen. Klinefelt is joined by colleagues for an unprecedented budget hearing on preschool funding at Yake Elementary.
As a result, the 2024 state budget addressed various issues in education — such as literacy, teacher compensation, mental health, school infrastructure and transportation — through the lens of students, teachers, staff and their families.
Among the many investments in education was a 5% increase in per-pupil funding, which brings the foundational allowance to $9,608 per student — the highest level in history. This translates to schools in Sen. Klinefelt’s district receiving over an additional $50 million to provide students with the resources they need to thrive and schools with the means to hire, train and compensate teachers. Also included in the budget was funding to provide all Michigan public school students with free school breakfast and lunch, setting them up for success and ensuring no child goes hungry.
In addition to the many transformational statewide investments, Sen. Klinefelt also fought for funding to address the needs of schools in her community. Among the nearly $17 million worth of investments secured for District 11 residents was $500,000 for Eastpointe High School to make major repairs to their swimming pool to provide students with additional opportunities for physical fitness.
“During the budget process, I had the opportunity to speak with students, teachers, administrators and parents and hear their thoughts on how we could best utilize state and federal funding to create a more equitable education system that meets the needs of all children,” said Sen. Klinefelt. “All of these improvements in our schools are welcoming — not just in District 11, but across the state of Michigan. I look forward to seeing the impact these investments will have on the future of our students and state.”
On the left, Sen. Veronica Klinefelt and Governor Gretchen Whitmer celebrate the first day of school with teachers and administrators at Forest Park Elementary in Eastpointe. On the right, Sen. Klinefelt tours a Chippewa Public School with Superintendent Ron Roberts.
While education is a high priority for Sen. Klinefelt, she also managed to secure funding in the 2024 budget to invest in infrastructure, water quality and community revitalization projects throughout District 11. Wanting to target state dollars in a meaningful way, Sen. Klinefelt worked with residents, local leaders and community organizations to identify projects that would help address the everyday problems residents in her district are facing.
On the left, Sen. Veronica Klinefelt visits constituents at Chelsea Park Subdivision in Macomb Township to celebrate funding she secured for a critical road repair project. On the right, Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens) and local residents join Sen. Klinefelt at a press conference to announce funding secured for an inclusive park in Clinton Township.
While much progress has been made to provide Michigan students with classrooms where they feel supported and empowered to learn, more work still lies ahead. Sen. Klinefelt looks forward to continuing to work with parents, educators and other stakeholders to shape future policy and budgets to build an education system that sets our students up for a lifetime of success.
Read more from Senator Veronica Klinefelt at SenatorVeronicaKlinefelt.com/press.