GOALS
Equity
Inform and educate legislators and other groups of the need to end inequities based on zip code and create equitable educational opportunities for all students in every region of the state.
Revised Funding Structure
Use the adequacy studies to develop a new school funding structure in Michigan that properly funds equitable educational opportunity, including for special education, at-risk, CTE, ELL, infrastructure, transportation, access to community college, and other needs.
Such a program must include state financial support for school repairs, renovation, upgrades, and construction, and a means of addressing and equalizing the broad disparities inherent in the use of taxable base revenue generation for infrastructure, career and technical education, special education, and enhancement millages.
Foundation Allowance - 2X Formula
Continue to close the Foundation Allowance gap by maintaining or accelerating 2X and/or upwardly rebasing the Minimum Foundation. Seek a gap elimination timeline, and address the fiscal and operational consequences of declining enrollment.
School Aid Fund Transfers and Revenue Reductions
End the practice of non-instructional fiscal transfers from the School Aid Fund to other departments and programs and tax revenue cuts without guaranteed replacement funding. Prevent any negative change to the dedicated sales tax revenue percentages currently in place as online sales tax revenue streams are incorporated into state revenue.
Restoration of the School Aid Fund's Purpose
Return the use of the School Aid Fund (SAF) to its original constitutional purpose by ending the practice of diverting School Aid Fund revenues for higher education (including community colleges). Prevent any attempts to utilize public revenues to support private schools.
Develop a Cohesive P-20 Educational System
Create a system of dual enrollment that provides equity in opportunity for all students, and that addresses the impact of widely variable community college tuition charges and fees for local school districts. Remove districting for community colleges to increase opportunities for all Michigan students.
Cost Containment
Achieve cost containment measures wherever appropriate opportunities exist, including:
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Eliminating unfunded legislative mandates
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Requiring the legislative process and Department of Education rulemaking to include an examination of unintended and untenable costs
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Including all public schools in the MPSERS program
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Addressing stranded retirement costs created through privatization
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Consolidating and pooling services
Term Limits
Restore legislative experience, knowledge, leadership, and relationships by lengthening term limits.