August 22, 2025
Dear Community,
As we begin the 2025-26 school year, we want to update you on an important issue that could impact our students and schools:
· State law mandates that lawmakers approve a K-12 public school funding budget by July 1 each year.
· Having a budget in place is important, so that schools can plan and operate with certainty.
· Since the legal deadline has passed–without elected officials reaching an agreement–there is a risk of a state government shutdown, which could delay funding that schools depend on to operate.
A reason for the deadlock appears to be proposals to redirect money from the School Aid Fund – the fund voters were promised would be dedicated to K-12 education – to other priorities, including road repairs. Many believe this violates the original intent of the system voters approved to provide fair funding for public schools. If lawmakers do not pass a budget, districts will miss out on their first scheduled state aid payment in October. For our schools, that payment is a major part of the resources we rely on to:
· Compensate staff who work directly with students.
· Maintain class sizes and student support services.
· Maintain bus operations and keep classrooms supplied.
· Fund academic programs, arts, athletics, and student activities.
We cannot operate indefinitely without these resources. The solution is simple: lawmakers should approve a K-12 budget that safeguards School Aid Fund dollars for their original purpose – educating our children. Please join us in urging our elected officials to reach a quick agreement and keep K-12 funding secure. Our students deserve a stable, fully funded school year.
Respectfully,
Dr. Jason Jeffrey, WSESD
Dr. Kyle Corlett, LASD
Mark D. Platt, Hart
Mark Olmstead, Shelby
Jeff Mount, MCC
Paul Shoup, MCE
Melissa Zumbach, G2S
Craig Barter, Pentwater
Joe Conkle, Walkerville
David Forrester, BCS
Ron Stoneman, MAP