Legislation would shift use of the School Aid Fund back to original intent
LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) made protecting public school funding her first priority in the new legislative session with the introduction of a resolution requiring the School Aid Fund be used exclusively for K-12 education.
The legislature began regularly using the School Aid Fund to support colleges and universities eight years ago, resulting in less funding for elementary and secondary schools.
Senate Joint Resolution C calls for an amendment to Section 11, Article 9 of the Michigan Constitution, that would require School Aid funds be used for K-12 schools. If passed by the legislature, voters would be given the opportunity to decide the measure at the ballot box.
“I think we can all agree our kids deserve a world-class education, but school districts in Western Wayne County, and across Michigan, are struggling under the current funding model. We have an opportunity to change this,” Sen. Polehanki said. “The School Aid Fund should be used for its original intent: supporting the critical educational foundation provided in K-12 classrooms.”
The resolution was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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About Sen. Dayna Polehanki
Sen. Polehanki has more than 19 years of experience in the classroom, and was named her district’s 2018 Teacher of the Year. The former English teacher now serves as the Democratic Vice Chair of the Senate Education and Career Readiness Committee.