Ann Arbor Times

Senate Appropriations Minority Vice Chair Jon Bumstead, representing North Muskegon, addressed the ongoing debate over Michigan's K-12 School Aid budget. He highlighted the state's low performance in educational metrics and expressed concerns about current spending strategies.

Bumstead stated, “We must face the hard truth that we have to do better for K-12 education in our state. Nearly 75% of our fourth and eighth graders are not proficient in reading or math, and Michigan ranks in the bottom 10 nationally in every important metric." He concurred with the governor's view that increased spending has not yielded expected results: "We spend more and get less. It’s not acceptable.”

The senator criticized Senate Democrats' proposal to increase spending without altering existing methods. Instead, he praised a plan from the House that seeks to optimize limited resources by providing local districts with record per-pupil funding and flexibility in its allocation.

“While we have different approaches, I am confident we have the same goal, and that is to see our children succeed," Bumstead said. He called on Senate colleagues to consider this alternative plan as a potential solution to improve educational outcomes.