Education Trust-Midwest Statement on the Diversion of School Aid Funds

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (Dec. 21, 2018) – Earlier today, the Michigan Legislature passed House Bill 4991, which will divert significant resources from Michigan public schools.

The following statement may be attributed to Amber Arellano, executive director of The Education Trust-Midwest:

“The decision to divert money away from students to potholes is short-sighted and undermines Michigan’s future.

“The state’s decades-long disinvestment in students, teachers and public schools is on display through declining academic achievement, wide gaps in the opportunities for low-income students and students of color compared to their higher-income peers, and crumbling school buildings. Although money alone will not fix our schools, tonight’s disinvestment will certainly not help.

“Budgets are a statement of priority, and the school aid raid of 2018 speaks to the overdue need to make students and public schools a real priority in our state.”

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