• What to Know About the Probable Federal Government Shutdown 
• Senate Approves Return to Work Rule Changes for Retirees 
• Legislation to Codify Free Meals for All Students Approved
• Senate Committee Begins Hearings on Special Education Interim Certifications
• Committee Considers Changing New Hire Retirement System Default 

What to Know About the Probable Federal Government Shutdown 

If Congress does not pass department appropriations bills or a continuing budget resolution by midnight Saturday, the federal government will shut down. Without annual appropriations, only essential services will continue, as federal programs cannot continue without an appropriation. The House and Senate have been meeting this week to pass the necessary legislation but remain far apart on the details. It does not appear likely that they will reach an agreement and send it to the President in time. 

For school operations, the shutdown may not be felt immediately as existing funds will still be available.  However, districts receiving Impact Aid under Title VII will see a hit. Impact Aid is a federal appropriation to supplement districts that have federal lands within their borders that are exempt from normal taxes. School districts with Federal properties such as national parks, military installations and Indian Trust Treaty Lands are eligible for this funding. 

While only about 20 districts in Michigan receive this funding, it totals more than $10 million. This could cause a large hole in some rural districts’ budgets. The allocation to districts is based on the amount of land and students. If you aren’t aware of the impact on your district, be sure to check with your district’s business official.

Another place that districts may see some effect right away is with students who currently receive assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.  Both SNAP and WIC will face cuts to recipients under the shutdown.  WIC recipients will be affected immediately as it has to cut some recipients. SNAP benefits are paid for a 30-day period, which will protect recipients unless the shutdown lasts longer.

NBC News published a detailed article on what happens in a shutdown and how it affects people. A federal government shutdown does not affect the state government or state-funded programs, those will continue.

Senate Approves Return to Work Rule Changes for Retirees 

On Wednesday, the Senate passed House Bill 4752 by a vote of 37-1. This bill amends the Public School Employees Retirement Act to address the current requirement that a retiree must wait nine months after retirement before being able to substitute in a district without penalty to their pension. 

Under the bill, a retiree would only have to wait six months before returning to work in a district without penalty to their retirement. However, a retiree would be allowed to work in those six months as long as they did not make more than $15,100 per calendar year. It also states that a retiree could not serve as a superintendent for the first six months after retirement.  These provisions will sunset in five years.

The next day, the House concurred in the changes the Senate made to the bill and sent it to the Governor for her consideration and approval.

Legislation to Codify Free Meals for All Students Approved

On Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee approved Senate Bill 500 which would require the Michigan Department of Education to operate the program to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students in public schools. This follows the School Aid budget which appropriated $160 million for the program for this year. Putting the program into the School Code will help ensure that it is funded each year by the Legislature.

Michigan students should not fear food insecurity, the inability to pay for lunch or the stigma of free lunch. The expansion of free meals will decrease child hunger and prepare students to learn and flourish. 

The bill is now before the full Senate for consideration. Expanding free meals is a legislative priority of MASB and we encourage you to contact your senator and share your support.

Senate Committee Begins Hearings on Special Education Interim Certifications

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee began hearings on Senate Bill 518 which would extend the sunset on interim teaching certificates for special education teachers.

Under current law, the State Superintendent can establish a process for a person to earn an interim teaching certificate to teach in public schools and earn a Michigan teaching certificate.  It also allows for interim teaching certificates for special education, but only until July 21, 2024.  This bill will extend that provision until July 21, 2027.

Hearings are expected to continue next week.