School Funding Crisis: Talking Points
· Today’s funding crisis is not new, school districts have been dealing with this issue for the past six years.
· The solution lies in the hands of the governor and legislators: they are ultimately responsible for a long-term solution for stable funding for education.
· Reduction is not the solution to the problem. For the past six years, LCPS along with other districts throughout the state has made reductions and yet the problem remains.
· Michigan’s per-pupil funding does not cover the dramatic increases in retirement, health care and utility costs—over which districts have absolutely no control.
· We are experiencing the fallout from a decade of tax cuts and giveaways that were supposed to be part of Proposal A and now aren’t part of the state revenue stream. This reaffirms that cutting taxes is not the remedy for economic growth.
· The problems remain the same: a structural deficit year after year; no ability to plan; uncertainty about the ability to start and sustain new programs; and a series of “quick fixes” that never address the real funding issue.
· It is unacceptable to say that economic recovery for Michigan lies on education and then not provide adequate, predictable, equitable funding for schools.
· Districts are being forced to make cuts deeper into the classroom. It takes people to deliver education. Staff reductions harm children.
· As districts are forced to make program reductions, one thing is clear—these programs will never be reinstated under the current system.
· Our elected officials have a moral, ethical and civic responsibility to provide quality programs for the children they represent.
· Adult citizens, including legislators, have a moral, ethical, and civic responsibility to advocate for our children.
· Legislators are elected to put the best interests of the state and its children forward—not align with partisan politics. We (I) expect you to work together and find a fair solution.
What we (I) support is a quality education for our children and the resources to meet the rigorous demands required by the State. You (the legislator) were elected to put the best interests of the state and its children forward—not align with partisan politics. We (I) expect you to work together and find a fair solution.