The state House has passed a measure to use federal stimulus money to stave off most of an impending $127 per-pupil cut facing school districts.
House Bill 4860, sponsored by Terry Brown, D-Pigeon, would tap $184 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money that was to be used in the state School Aid Fund in the next fiscal year, fiscal 2011.
The money would instead be used this year to reduce an upcoming $127 per-pupil cut to $10 per pupil.
The Granholm administration in October notified school districts that they would receive the $127 per-pupil cut because of new estimates of declining revenues in the School Aid Fund. A previous $165 per-pupil cut would still remain for fiscal 2010.
If additional revenues are identified, the bill would also direct $25.7 million to districts that get among the highest per-pupil payments statewide, and $25.7 million to under-funded districts.
Granholm last month vetoed $51.5 million in supplemental payments to the wealthier districts. The legislation now moves to the senate. Northwood parents are encouraged to contact their state senators and governor Granholm to insure passage. Long term funding is still an issue and needs to be addressed with the state government.