LANSING -Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) continued his steadfast support for Michigan schools and the students who are the future of this state by passing the 2008-2009 K-12/School Aid Budget yesterday. The budget included an increase in per pupil funding between $56 and $112 on a sliding scale based on existing funding, ensuring lower funded schools received the greatest increase. Nearly all of the school districts in Sen. Schauer’s district will receive the maximum foundation allowance increase of $112 per pupil, significantly closing the gap between the highest and lowest spending districts.

“These increases will make sure adequate funding goes to the schools that need it the most, and today’s passage of the School Aid Budget means every school in Michigan will start the year off fully funded,” said Sen. Mark Schauer. “Other program grants included today will make sure our students are being prepared for a promising and successful future, from before they start kindergarten up until they complete high school.”

Some highlights of the School Aid Budget approved yesterday include:

• The maximum foundation increase of $112 per pupil was awarded to 20 out of 30 school districts in Calhoun and Jackson County. The other ten schools were all on the upper end of funding as well, receiving between $104-111 for each student.

• A $10 million increase for Early Childhood programs, including $5 million for the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and a $5 million increase for school readiness programs.

• A $1 million increase for Child and Adolescent Health Centers.

For the per pupil funding, the amounts are based on the number of pupils in each school, and what was being spent locally before the passage of Proposal A, a sweeping reform of school financing that was adopted in 1994. The school aid fund’s major revenue sources are sales and income taxes.

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