• House School Aid and Education Appropriations Subcommittee Releases Budget Proposal
• Cardiac Response Plan Requirement Changes Sent to Governor
• House Committee Considers New Athletic Rules Related to Cardiac Arrest
• House Education Committee Approves Charter Transparency Bill
• School Board Members Advocate “Behind the Scenes”

House School Aid and Education Appropriations Subcommittee Releases Budget Proposal

This week, the House School Aid and Education Appropriations Subcommittee released its budget proposal. Its budget, House Bill 5503, includes a 2.25% increase in the per-pupil foundation and increases in funding for at-risk, declining enrollment and English Language Learners. The budget does not expand preschool for all four-year-olds but does increase eligibility for the Great Start Readiness Program to those families making up to 350% of the federal poverty guideline.

The biggest difference in the House budget is the use of the savings from the school employees’ retirement system healthcare benefit unfunded liability payments. Because the health benefits side of MPSERS is now fully funded, the Governor proposed using the $670 million in various spots throughout the budget, and the Senate followed suit. However, MASB, along with other education management organizations, has been pushing for that money to be reinvested in MPSERS to lower the rate that districts have to pay into the system for the unfunded liabilities. The House budget proposal reinvests $290.8 million and lowers the rate from 20.96% to 18%. While the exact benefit to districts will vary, on average, it will free up more than $200 per pupil to invest in classrooms instead of paying MPSERS liabilities.

We have updated our breakdown of the School Aid budget to compare the House, Senate and Governor’s proposals. The next Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference is May 17, and that will give the Legislature and the Governor the most current revenue figures with which to set the final budget. 

We urge you to continue to talk to your legislators about the benefits of lowering the MPSERS rate for your district and how these proposals will affect your district. 

Cardiac Response Plan Requirement Changes Sent to Governor

On Tuesday, the Senate passed House Bills 5527 and 5528, which modify and expand the cardiac emergency response plans for public and private schools. The cardiac emergency plan and response team would act in the case of a cardiac emergency during the school day or at school-sponsored athletic events. The cardiac emergency response plan would establish steps and practices to reduce the chances of serious harm or death. The new requirements would go into effect with the 2025-2026 school year.

During debate on the Senate Floor, an amendment was added to specify the plan applies to school hours and school-sponsored events. This was the intent, but it was thought it would be better to spell it out in law. The changes to the bills were concurred in by the House later that day, and they are now headed to the Governor for her consideration and expected approval. 

House Committee Considers New Athletic Rules Related to Cardiac Arrest

On Thursday, the House Health Policy Committee began testimony on House Bill 4291, which would establish training requirements and athletic rules regarding sudden cardiac arrest.  The bill would require all coaches, school employees, volunteers or other adults involved with youth athletics, both school-sponsored and recreational, to undergo training on sudden cardiac arrest and all parents and youth athletes to receive educational materials on it. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) would develop and approve sudden cardiac arrest awareness training with a concentration on the risks and symptoms of cardiac arrest.

It would also require a coach to remove an athlete from the activity if they show signs of sudden cardiac arrest. The athlete would not be able to return to play until they had been seen and cleared by a cardiologist or pediatrician. The rules would not apply to those sports governed by the MHSAA as long as it has similar protocols.

MASB has concerns with the bill, specifically because, for many students, access to a health professional can be difficult and would require an extended amount of time before being able to return to participation. 

Hearings are expected to continue.

House Education Committee Approves Charter Transparency Bill

On Tuesday, the House Education Committee approved a package of bills aimed at greater transparency by charter school authorizers and educational management organizations. House Bills 5231-5234 would require certain information about the charter school’s authorizer and EMO to be printed on school signage and promotional materials. House Bill 5269 would require staff salary information to be included in the financial transparency portion of a charter school’s website. All the bills were passed on party line votes; however, on HB5269, the Republican members passed rather than voting no.

The committee also began testimony on House Bill 5450-5451 which would require information on the new laws regarding the safe storage of firearms be provided to all parents annually. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services would create the document and schools would be required to share it by October 1 of each year, beginning in 2025. Hearings on these bills will continue in the coming weeks. 

School Board Members Advocate “Behind the Scenes”

On Wednesday, more than 65 school board members from around the state joined MASB’s Government Relations team for our Behind the Scenes at the Capitol event. The day kicked off with a panel discussion with Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond), Minority Vice-Chair of the House Education Committee, Rep. Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City), member of the House Education Committee and Dan Centers, Chief of Staff for Sen. Dayna Polehanki, Chair of the Senate Education Committee. They covered topics from standardized testing to mandatory kindergarten to issues they’d like to see tackled before the end of the year. They also spoke about the importance of school board members reaching out to share concerns and talk about their districts.

After the panel there was a presentation on the Senate and Governor’s budget proposals. Michelle Richard, Acting Director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, presented on the new department’s role in education and some of the programs they are working on, such as early childhood programs and initiatives. After that, MASB’s Assistant Director of Executive Search Services Jay Bennett  gave attendees an in-depth look at the changes in the teacher and administrator evaluation law, which will take effect on July 1.

The day wrapped up with a legislative update and lunch with legislators and staff. Thank you all who came and participated, and we hope to see even more of you at our event in the fall on September 18, 2024!