Michigan
Literacy, mental health, and at-risk funding: What will lawmakers prioritize in the state school budget?
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Michigan lawmakers are poised to approve a state education budget that would build on last year’s historic investment in the state’s most vulnerable students, while also increasing funding to improve student mental health, education for English language learners, and literacy.
But some students, parents, educators, and advocates are worried that the state won’t be able to fully fund “dire” needs at a time when Michigan faces several budgetary challenges.
Roughly $5.6 billion in federal COVID relief funds will expire this year, and state revenue growth is expected to slow in coming years. Declining enrollment also has created funding shortfalls in some districts.
Some fear districts will face painful cuts.
“The state of education right now is – truly, we’re desperate,” said Kathi Martin, a speech language pathologist and union president in Dearborn Public Schools.
“The amount of resources we have never seems to be enough,” she added.
Last week, the House passed a proposed budget that would increase school funding by $900 million compared to last year’s. That’s just slightly higher than what Whitmer proposed in her executive budget.
The Senate appropriations committee has also proposed an increase in school aid, of $1.1 billion. The Senate has not yet voted on the committee’s recommended budget, however, and is expected to take a vote in the coming days.
The legislature has a deadline of July 1 to pass a state budget. When both houses pass a budget, it will go to the governor to sign. It will take effect Oct. 1.
Last year, lawmakers passed a $21.5 billion school budget that included historic increases to benefit the state’s neediest students. But advocates say legislators must keep up the momentum to continue to work toward more equitably funding Michigan schools.
Here’s what lawmakers have proposed:
Increases to the “opportunity index”
For years, Michigan has been ranked among the worst states in the nation for the inequities in funding between schools in wealthy and poor communities.
Last year, the budget gave an additional $1 billion in funding to districts to serve at-risk students through the “opportunity index,” which provides money to districts serving communities with higher concentrations of poverty.
“Michigan must continue to take bold steps for an equitable education for its students,” said Elnora Gavin, a Benton Harbor School Board member, in a statement.
Here are some of the highlights:
- The Senate committee’s proposal includes a $122.6 million increase to at-risk funds. It would allow districts to use up to 60% of the money to recruit and retain instructional staff as well as staff who help improve students’ social, emotional, or physical health.
- The House proposes a $70.1 million increase. That proposal also includes language that would allow the Detroit Public Schools Community District to use up to 40% of the money to hire more instructional staff or increase teacher salaries.
- The executive proposal would increase at-risk funding by $23.8 million. It would allow some districts to use up to 30% of the money for teacher recruitment and retention.
Advocates have asked lawmakers to increase the opportunity index funds by 20% over the next five years until it eventually equates to around $2.9 billion in additional funding for at-risk students each year.
What legislators are currently recommending for 2024-25 ranges from a 2.5% to around 12.8% increase over last year’s at-risk funding.
More money for mental health
Since 2021, Michigan has invested more than $715 million in student mental health programs and hiring more school counselors. However, advocates and educators say more school counselors, psychologists, and social workers are needed to adequately address students’ needs during an ongoing youth mental health crisis. The state had the third highest ratio of counselors to students in the country, according to the most recently available data.
“A lot of students’ grades are low because they are facing mental health problems and are not being heard by our teachers,” said Christina Yarn, a 17-year-old attending Saginaw Community Schools’ Heritage High School.
The governor’s office and the House both propose $300 million in per-pupil funding – $3.3 million more than last year– to improve student mental health and school safety, which is in line with what advocates have asked for. Both proposals have restrictions on the funds to be used for school resource officers. The Senate committee proposes a lower amount, $150 million for the funds, with no restrictions on districts for paying school police.
Small increase for English language learners
The state increased funding for English language learners last year, but still ranked among the worst in the nation for its funding of such programs compared to other states in 2023, according to Ed Trust Midwest.
“We have many immigrant and migrant students attending our schools,” said Martin. “Lots of children come to school and they don’t know English. In order to adequately teach these children, we need more resources than just one teacher in a room with 27 kids.”
The Senate committee’s proposal would double funding for English learners with an increase of $39.7 million.The governor and the House propose much smaller increases – $3 million and $5 million respectively.
One-time funds for literacy
Michigan has long struggled with student literacy rates. It ranks 43rd in the country for fourth grade reading. While more money was allocated to literacy efforts such as reading coaches and early literacy training for teachers last year, some administrators say they are unable to fill open positions.
The governor proposed $155 million in one-time funding to create a Committee for Literacy Development; offer a ranked list of curricula and professional development for teachers; and fund early literacy teacher coaching positions. The House and the Senate committee’s proposals include similar budget items.
Cuts to the teacher retirement fund
In order to pay for proposed increases to big items on the proposed budgets, legislators are considering making cuts to contributions to the state’s retirement funds for public school employees.
The governor wants to fund $758.9 million less than the $2.5 billion the state put into the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System in 2023-24. The House proposes reducing payments to the funds by $562.4 million. The Senate committee recommends $41.3 million in cuts.
Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns that these cuts would add to an existing pension debt in the system.
Democrats, including Whitmer, say that health care is fully funded under the plan and that it is feasible for the state to scale back its investments in helping districts make payments into the plan.
Hannah Dellinger covers K-12 education and state education policy for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at hdellinger@chalkbeat.org.
President Trump not worried Iran will hurt GOP midterm chances
President Donald Trump said he isn’t worried about the 2026 midterm elections as effects of the war in Iran threaten to hurt Republican chances.
Gasoline prices fell nationwide and, in a few states, even dropped below $4 a gallon, which one petroleum analyst said was a sign of “growing optimism surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran agreement,” but even as fuel prices dropped, there are now new concerns.
In Michigan, gasoline dropped to $4.35 a gallon on Monday, June 1, according to AAA, while crude oil prices — the primary factor in fuel costs — started edging up, which could make it harder to reach a peace deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Crude oil prices rose after the United States and Iran each launched new strikes.
“Michigan drivers are getting some relief at the pump,” said Adrienne Woodland, a spokeswoman for AAA. “While the drop is welcome as we head into the busy summer travel season, fuel prices remain volatile and could shift again quickly.”
Higher fuel prices are causing some motorists to rethink how they shop for gas and are likely affecting other spending habits as well, such as cutting back on eating out.
One oil company executive also warned about how low oil inventories are getting.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said average gasoline prices declined in all 50 states over the last week, and were below $4 a gallon in 15 states, “offering motorists some of the most widespread relief seen in weeks.”
De Haan said much of the decline came from growing optimism for a deal.
Renewed attacks spark uncertainty
The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Michigan dropped on Monday by 28 cents from a week ago, according to AAA. But it was still significantly higher than before the war in the Middle East.
Throughout the state, the most expensive gas price averages were in Traverse City, $4.48 a gallon; Ann Arbor, $4.43; and Benton Harbor, $4.42; the least were in Flint, $4.15; Lansing, $4.19; and Marquette, $4.22.
A year ago, regular unleaded gasoline in Michigan was $3.08 a gallon.
Diesel prices, $5.84 a gallon in Michigan, also fell.
“However,” De Haan said, “the coast is anything but clear. Oil prices edged higher Sunday evening as uncertainty surrounding a potential deal persisted and renewed Israeli attacks added another layer of geopolitical risk.”
He added that motorists “may continue to see some short-term relief,” they also may “soon experience another upward swing as retailers run out of room to lower prices further. Overall, any setback in negotiations could quickly reverse the recent decline in fuel prices.”
In addition to the rising oil prices, there are now indications that the price of gasoline could go higher again with increased demand during the summer travel season and more Mideast conflict.
Mitigating pain at the pump
Michigan motorists are now paying about $66 for a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline, with some even telling the Free Press during the past few weeks that to mitigate the pain at the pump, they’ve stopped filling up all the way.
Instead, they said they are making more frequent stops and shopping around.
Costco — the membership-only, warehouse club retail chain that tends to sell lower-priced gas — said during its recent quarterly earnings report that it is seeing record demand for gasoline.
It has been so overwhelmed, CNN reported, that tanker trucks are refilling stations multiple times a day.
On top of that, according to a Reuters report, several U.S. restaurant chains such as Wingstop and Domino’s have reported “weaker-than-expected sales growth” in the latest quarter, saying that high gas prices are leading their customers to cut back.
The report added that “analysts expect other restaurant chains also will show declining sales growth.”
And one oil company senior executive warned last week that global oil inventories are approaching record lows, which he said, potentially could cause oil prices — and then gasoline prices — to suddenly increase in two or three weeks.
ExxonMobil senior vice president Neil Chapman spoke at a conference on Thursday in New York, and, according to CNBC, cautioned that “we’re approaching unheard of inventory levels,” what he referred to as “really, really low levels.”
He added: “Once you get to that point, then you’ll see the price shoot up.”
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com
Michigan’s 2027 class experienced a blow on Sunday when three-star Las Vegas (Nev.) Centennial safety Maxwell Miles announced he was flipping to Minnesota.
Miles’ decision to join the Wolverines took place in March during the program’s first commitment surge of the offseason. He took a visit during spring camp and quickly pledged.
Miles becomes the second safety this cycle this decommit from Michigan following Darrell Mattison flipping to Ole Miss a few weeks ago. Currently, U-M yields 14 commits in 2027 heading into June.
The news came once Miles took an official visit to Minnesota over the weekend, leading to him siding with the Golden Gophers. One of the schools that Miles picked Michigan over included Minnesota, along with Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, and San Diego State. Safeties coach Tyler Stockton was the leading figure in originally landing Miles.
“Me and Coach Stockton have a good relationship,” Miles told Maize n Brew. “He keeps it real with me and pushes me to be better, and I respect that a lot. Same with Coach (Kyle) Whittingham, it’s a strong relationship. He’s someone I can learn a lot from, and I appreciate how he approaches the game with his players.”
Two projected safeties make up Michigan’s 2027 class in four-star Tavares Harrington and three-star Charles Woodson Jr.
Rounding out the group are four-star tight end Colt Lumpris, four-star cornerback Darius Johnson, four-star defensive lineman Xavier Muhammad, four-star wide receiver Quentin Burrell, four-star running back Tyson Robinson, four-star edge rusher Jayce Brewer, four-star offensive lineman Jakari Lipsey, four-star edge rusher Recarder Kitchen, four-star quarterback Kamden Lopati, three-star linebacker Brayden Watson, three-star offensive lineman Sidney Rouleau, three-star running back Lundon Hampton and three-star offensive lineman Louis Esposito.
Rivals lists the class as the 10th-best in the FBS and fourth in the Big Ten.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s season came to an end just short of reaching the NBA Finals.
After another strong campaign, OKC battled the San Antonio Spurs, but fell in a seven-game series, missing two key players for most of the matchup.
Even with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, though, the Thunder’s primary issue against San Antonio was defending superstar Victor Wembanyama. Oklahoma City managed to slow down the 22-year-old in a few matchups, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to win the series.
Mark Daigneault’s team will now head into the offseason with a few opportunites to find answers to this problem, however. In addition to Williams and Mitchell returning to full health, which will be key for OKC, Thomas Sorber, the Thunder’s first-round pick in 2025, should be healthy after missing his entire rookie season with a torn ACL.
Oklahoma City also has two picks in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, and could add more young pieces to the roster.
A pair of recent mock drafts slotted Michigan big man Aday Mara to OKC, who could be an interesting option to try and combat Wembanyama’s size and length. Mara measured at 7-foot-3 without shoes at the NBA Combine, recording a 7-foot-6 wingspan, 9-foot-9 standing reach and weighing 259 pounds.
Given Wembanyama’s abilities, it seems unlikely that any rookie can fully counteract the MVP Finalist and Defensive Player of the Year, but Mara’s size would give OKC another matchup to try against the Spurs’ standout.
After two seasons at UCLA, Mara had a breakout season with Michigan, averaging 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 66.8% from the field. Mara earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and All-Big Ten recognition for his efforts, helping the Wolverines with a national championship in his lone campaign with the team.
Bryan Kalbrosky of USA Today slotted Mara to OKC with the No. 12 overall pick in this summer’s draft, while Cameron Salerno of CBS Sports projected the Thunder to trade the No. 12 and No. 17 selections for the No. 9 overall pick to draft Mara.
Kalbrosky also paired Tennessee’s Nate Ament with Oklahoma City at No. 17 overall. Ament recently said in an interview with Kevin O’Connor that he completed a predraft workout with the Thunder.
Ament measured 6-foot-9-and-a-half without shoes and notched a 6-foot-11-and-a-half wingspan, weighing 210 and recording a standing reach of 9-foot-1-and-a-half at the NBA Combine.
As a freshman at Tennessee, the former five-star recuit averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a steal per game while shooting 39.9% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range.
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