FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 20, 2023 

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Gov. Whitmer Signs Historic Education Budget Providing Free School Meals, First Steps Toward Free Pre-K for All 

FY24 budget supports student success, lowers costs, and establishes a rainy day fund for schools 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bipartisan education budget for fiscal year 2024 that makes the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history, ensures all public school students get free breakfast and lunch, and takes the first step toward free pre-K for all 4-year-olds. 

Senate Bill 173 will improve student success through tutoring, before and after school programming, literacy support; and prioritizes mental health resources so students succeed in the classroom. 

“Every Michigan child deserves a chance to pursue their potential and build a bright future. This historic education budget will make that possible,” said Governor Whitmer. “This budget puts students first and supports parents by expanding access to free pre-K, providing free breakfast and lunch to all public school students, and improving higher education. Additionally, the budget makes Michigan one of the lowest-cost states to become a teacher, with tuition-free training, student loan repayment, and stipends for those who are completing their student teaching. I am so grateful to the new leadership in the legislature for getting this done. Let’s work together to help anyone ‘make it’ in Michigan.” 

“This historic education budget reaffirms and strengthens our investments in students, educators, and families,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “With monumental investments in out-of-school programs, free breakfast and lunch, and the first steps towards Pre-K for all, this budget will help more students get the resources they need to reach their potential. It will make a difference for students in every corner of our state—including my own kids. I am proud of how this budget delivers for Michiganders, and I will keep working alongside Governor Whitmer to help future generations live out bright futures right here in Michigan.” 

“With this budget, we are making a pledge to every Michigan child that they will have the resources, environment, and guidance to succeed on any path they choose,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “We’re bringing new approaches to age-old problems, like supporting intervention programs that help kids with specific challenges, ensuring every student has a meal to eat during the school day, and making teacher education more affordable. The legislation being signed today will have both an immediate impact and a generational one, and I am tremendously proud to be leading a Senate that has been so diligent in delivering for the families of Michigan.”  

“Our students, parents, and teachers are the ultimate experts on what our education system needs, and that’s why throughout the budget process, my colleagues and I put them at the forefront of our discussions and our decision-making,” said state Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township). “We have heeded their calls for support, equity, and innovation, and I’m incredibly proud of the historic investments, transformative programs, and concrete solutions that are included in the education budget that was signed today.” 

“Michigan’s people are our greatest resource, and when we invest in our kids, we invest in our future,” said state Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “I’m particularly proud that this budget invests in transportation to help rural students get to and from school, ensuring that more money stays in rural classrooms, and free breakfast and lunch for every public school student. The investments this budget makes throughout the state will help more children become happy, healthy, educated, prosperous adults, lowering our state’s health care costs, making our economy more vibrant and supplying the strong workforce of tomorrow.” 

“This year, we passed yet another historic investment in Michigan schools and students, one that is truly transformative,” said state Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education. “In prior years, we closed the funding gap and increased the foundation allowance to its highest level. This year, we further increased per-pupil funding, fully funded the special education foundation allowance, and provided more support for at-risk students. I am so proud of the work we’ve done and will continue to do on behalf of Michigan kids.” 

“From preschool to postsecondary, the education budget makes strategic investments that will make a difference in the lives of all Michiganders pursing an education,” said State Budget Director Christopher Harkins. “This budget invests in every classroom; continues to support our current and future educators; increases funding to state universities and community colleges to prepare our future workforce; and practices fiscal responsibility by setting resources aside in a new rainy day fund for schools. This budget invests in our young people which is the most valuable investment for the future success of our state.” 

“This is another outstanding budget, one that again works hard on funding adequacy and equity,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “In addition to a 5 percent foundation allowance increase, big percentage increases for the education of students with disabilities and English learners, and additional funding earmarked for staff compensation, the budget funds greater flexibility and continued expansion of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) program toward universally accessible pre-school, the implementation of the governor’s MI Kids Back on Track tutoring program for children who are behind in reading or math, universal school meals for students, and an opportunity index to fund high percentages of economically disadvantaged students. The budget also funds mentoring for new teachers, new counselors, and new administrators, as well as training for school board members, and transportation reimbursement to help address the cost of transportation, especially for rural districts whose per-rider costs are high. In the 30 years since Proposal A to change the school funding system, Michigan hasn’t had two years of back-to-back funding increases close to FY23 and FY24. Kudos to the governor and state legislature for their work, among that of many others, on the budget front.”  

“This latest bipartisan education budget will help continue the progress we’re making in addressing the educator shortage, expanding mental health resources for students, and working to provide more opportunities for every Michigan student,” said Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County and president of the Michigan Education Association. “There are still plenty of challenges we must tackle together, and we are on the right track. Michigan educators are excited to continue working closely with parents, state officials and local leaders to create a brighter future for Michigan students.” 

“We are pleased with the Fiscal Year 2024 budget that recognizes students with disabilities as whole children, paving the way for appropriation of 100% of the per pupil foundation allowance to districts,” said AAoM President & CEO Colleen Allen. “This gives us the opportunity to address major gaps in our education system and change the trajectory of many students’ lives by providing adequate and equitable funding through our school finance system. We’d like to thank Governor Whitmer and Senator Darrin Camilleri, Chair of the K12 Appropriations Subcommittee for all their hard work to push this funding forward.” 

“The GSRP funding included in this budget is an investment in today's children, who are also tomorrow's workforce here in Michigan, said Carrie Rosingana, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works! and chair of the PreK for All Action Team. “By expanding access to pre-K for more kids and supporting new GSRP classrooms this announcement is a reflection of the state’s continued focus on lowering costs for families, supporting early learning, and investing in the growth and retention of early childhood professionals in Michigan.”   

“I’ve spoken to many superintendents across the state and there is a resounding appreciation for the education funding in this year’s state budget,” said Dr. Tina Kerr, MASA Executive Director. “These dollars are critical to helping our districts address student and staff mental health, increase school safety measures, and provide specialized learning opportunities. It is essential that public education be funded at this level both now and in the future so that our schools can continue to prepare our students for their own success and for Michigan’s future.”  

“Healthy School Meals for All will be transformational for Michigan’s students and families,” said Collin McDonough, Director of Michigan Government Relations at the American Heart Association. “Not only will it help students learn—no one can focus on an empty stomach—it will help reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Proper nutrition is a key component of a heart-healthy lifestyle, and having no-cost breakfast and lunch will ensure our students have what they need to succeed inside and outside the classroom. We applaud Governor Whitmer, the state legislature, the Michigan Department of Education, our partner organizations No Kid Hungry Michigan and the School Nutrition Association of Michigan, and the Michigan School Meals Coalition for their tireless work to take this program from an idea to reality.”  

“For years, The Alliance has advocated for a budget that invests in equity and supports the individual needs of every Michigan child,” said Peter Spadafore, Executive Director of the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity. “This budget creates the roadmap for achieving that goal while making significant investments in our most vulnerable learners.” 

Higher Education & Workforce Development