LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) issued the following statement today after the Michigan Senate passed an education bill package that outlines various requirements for the forthcoming school year during the COVID-19 pandemic:

“Our educators, students and families deserve to know that those elected and entrusted to do the work of the people have not done their homework to create a safe and equitable environment for students this school year. The process this bill package has undergone falls short of benchmarks and, unfortunately, it does not provide teachers or parents with the clarity and guidance they need during a deadly, global pandemic.

“Instead of working with academic stakeholders who have to implement this plan, a deal was negotiated without their input. Without proper vetting and their feedback, I could not — in good faith — support legislation that lacks evaluation from so many important voices who were not brought to the table or asked to be part of the conversation.”

###