Whitmer signs education budget with highest per student investment ever

(LANSING, Mich.) Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the education budget on Thursday. 

The bipartisan budget includes a half a billion dollars for infrastructure, recruiting teachers, and mental health resources. 

When it comes to per pupil funding, the budget includes $9,150 for every student in every district which is the highest amount that has ever been approved. 

2,500 people who want to become teachers will be able to receive $10,000 towards their tuition. 

“The budget makes the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history to help schools buy new textbooks, offer more personalized instruction, and bolster AP and honors classes" said Governor Whitmer. "It also bolsters resources for special education, at-risk funding, and career and technical education while expanding slots in free after-school and preschool programs. Finally, to improve the on-campus experience, the budget invests a quarter of a billion dollars in school infrastructure to build or renovate everything from classrooms, computer labs, and libraries, and significantly expands teacher recruitment programs so we attract and train thousands of educators every year. This budget is proof of what is possible when we put our students first and stay focused on getting things done.” 

Funds to improve school safety are also part of the budget $214 per pupil for school safety and mental health going to every school district in the state. 

Those funds will help to create an intervention system for at risk students designed to bring together law enforcement, schools, and mental health professionals.