It is paramount to understand why equal funding does not always equate to equitable funding. The most recent SFRC reports from four years ago show that the average public school student requires approximately $10,000 per year. This does not account for at-risk populations, students in special education classrooms, or those who are neurodivergent. The cost of supporting these student groups can reach nearly $40,000 per year depending on their specific needs.

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We cannot take from one group to give to another. We must fully fund our education systems while ensuring the burden of funding does not fall entirely on millage proposals and individual income taxes.

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Studies show that higher taxes on nicotine products can lower rates of use and reduce cancer rates. A digital advertising tax would primarily affect large technology monopolies such as Meta and Google, which should be fairly taxed alongside traditional services and goods.

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Exploring alternative sources of revenue can help lessen the burden of funding public school budgets on individuals and families.

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• We must address the shrinking pipeline of new teachers and exit of tenured educators to retirement. Teacher turnover and Brain drain to other states or districts impacts every classroom. This leads to larger class sizes, cancelled courses, and hiring of teachers that are not yet fully equipped to manage our classrooms, which in turn negatively impacts student achievement and benchmarks. We must implement professional development opportunities, competitive salaries and the resources necessary to retain high quality talent for a successful and sustainable career as an educator.

• We are experiencing a mental health crisis in our student body. Michigan has one of the highest student-counselor ratios in the nation (690-1 where guidance suggests a ratio of 250-1). From safety concerns, absenteeism, acting out and threats to staff and teachers, we must provide relief to our educators. Mental health concerns take up a substantial amount of time and resources and have been directly correlated to teacher burnout and stress. Many educators leave the profession due to safety concerns and the stress related to managing a mental health crisis while simultaneously trying to support their classroom and academic goals. 

• The success of our public school system starts with highly paid, valued and supported educators and staff. Brain drain is a real and malignant threat to the sustainability of public education in Michigan. Many teachers are receiving low pay and poor benefits; there is a lack of respect for the profession and an environment that does not always support their progress. These issues have been exacerbated by insufficient school funding and attacks on the public education system. It is time that we fortify our systems and provide equitable support for long term professional development and attract high quality talent to our schools.