This spring, the House Appropriations passed HB 5503 which includes $18 million in the general fund for nonpublic schools to participate in the school safety funding. Additionally, the House mirrored the Senate K-12 budget proposal by including $1 million to reimburse non-public schools for state-mandated health and safety protocols.
“The Michigan Association of Non-public Schools (MANS) is grateful for the first step by the House to recognize the importance of including non-public schools in safety funding opportunities. All students deserve the right to attend a safe school regardless of the name outside the building. We look forward to working with the legislature in the coming weeks to ensure nonpublic schools are included in the school lunch program and teacher workforce incentive programs,” states Mr. Brian Broderick, Executive Director for the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools (MANS).
Michigan District Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Travis Grulke shares, “We are blessed by the partnership with the Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools and the Catholic Conference who lobby on behalf of our schools across the state. Their call to action created more than 3,000 emails and letters to our state representatives. This is an example of how our efforts to contact our representatives in Lansing expressing our concerns can encourage our elected leaders to come to the table to do what is best for all students in the state.”
MANS represents over 400 faith-based schools across the state of Michigan, including Catholic schools within the seven dioceses of Michigan, the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod schools, and the Michigan Region of Christian Schools International. More than 100,000 students attend non-public schools in Michigan.
May 17, 2024 Update: The Senate version of the budget did not include the 18 million for nonpublic schools. We are hoping it is included in the final version of the budget and both houses and the governor’s office have discussions in the weeks to come.
Photo courtesy of Elisa Schulz Photography
