Michigan Schools in Line for Extra Federal Cash (MI)

December 2, 2010

Michigan schools finally may be inline to get a slice of the extra federal money set aside for the state thissummer through a distribution plan approved Wednesday by the state Senate.

The plan that should soon be headedto Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm would give Michigan’s highest-funded school districts an additional$111 per student this academic year. Michigan’s lowest-funded districts wouldget $222 more per student, with districts in t he middle of those two extremesgetting money based on a sliding scale.

The money would help at leasttemporarily erase some previous funding cuts that have hit Michigan schools asthe state has struggled with budget problems in recent years.

The proposal passed in theRepublican-led Senate on Wednesday by a 35-1 vote is a second attempt atdistributing roughly $246 million in federal money awarded to Michigan schoolsearlier this year. Granholm vetoed a portion of a previous distribution plan inOctober, saying it violated federal rules.

The Democratic-led House last monthapproved a school funding distribution plan similar to the one approved by theSenate on Wednesday. The revised bill is expected to be voted on by the Houseand eventually sent to Granholm before the Legislature’s so-called lame ducksession comes to an end, likely this week.

Granholm is expected to sign thebill once it gets to her desk, spokeswoman Liz Boyd said.

"We are grateful theLegislature finally acted to correct the formula error and we will move quicklyto get this needed funding to schooldistricts," Boyd said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

The bill also makes other school spendingadjustments, some of which are meant to keep Michigan in compliance with rulesfor receiving federal cash. The overall amount of the adjustments on aper-student basis vary by district.

The Senate on Wednesday approved aseparate bill by a 21-14 vote that would add requirements for evaluatingteachers and administrators in Michigan schools. At least 45 percent of totalvalue of an annual evaluation would be based on student growth in academicachievement, and the evaluation would tie into teacher tenure.

The bill now goes to the House,where supporters will be allowed to try and push for passage as early asThursday.

Also Wednesday, the House approved abill that could allow the Detroit Institute of Arts or similar organizations toask taxpayers for more money through property taxes. The Senate already has approved the bill so it should soon be headed to Granholm for her signature.

The property taxes would have to beapproved by voters in the affected region to take effect. Art instituteauthorities could ask for up to 0.2 mills.

A similar bill already has beenapproved to assist the Detroit Zoo.

Michigan lawmakers are consideringdozens of topics before their 2009-10 session ends.

Lawmakers might also consider billsrelated to fireworks sales, insurance coverage for autism treatments and otherissues before adjourning for the year. None of those issues are guaranteed tocome up for votes, however.

The school funding bill is HouseBill 5887. The teacher evaluation bill is House Bill 4410.