Help reform school funding
After difficult budget negotiations this past fall that resulted in devastating cuts to school funding, it appears another difficult year looms ahead. For the 2011 budget, funding for K-12 education is projected to be short at least another $424 million. As Chair of the House Education Committee, I'm committed to finding a solution to Michigan's school funding problem, but I need your input.
The House Education Committee is focusing on creating reforms that can help school districts cut costs without raising additional taxes. Over the last few years, state government has been compelled to cut back, but we must now take a hard look at how we can bring greater efficiencies to everything we do.
I am looking for your thoughts on addressing the financial imbalance in our school funding, so that schools can stop fretting about tenuous budget negotiations and focus on educating our children. Education is one of the greatest investments we can make. We must come together and create a school reform plan so that schools and teachers have the resources they need to provide every child with the high-quality education they deserve.
Please take a moment to submit any suggestions you may have. And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at (517) 373-0475, or at timmelton@house.mi.gov.