Detroit School Board Approves $1 Billion Budget

Students participating in educational activities in Detroit schools.

News Summary

The Detroit school board has approved a $1 billion budget focused on maintaining existing programs and combating chronic absenteeism. The budget includes a new transportation initiative for struggling schools and an incentive program for perfect attendance. Concerns linger about state funding as the Michigan Legislature has yet to finalize its budget, which can impact per-pupil funding vital for district operations. The district’s total expenditures have decreased, primarily due to pension fund changes, but aims to improve education despite federal funding uncertainties.

Detroit – The Detroit school board approved a $1 billion budget for the upcoming school year on Tuesday night. The new spending plan prioritizes maintaining financial support for existing programs as the district navigates uncertainties related to state and federal funding.

The budget includes provisions for a new transportation pilot program aimed at improving attendance rates for students at Henry Ford High School and East English Village @ Finney, where chronic absenteeism is a significant issue. This initiative will provide yellow bus transportation to these schools, targeting the 88% and 94% absenteeism rates, respectively. The approval of the budget also sees the extension of an incentive program that rewards students with $200 gift cards for perfect attendance, which could sum up to $1,000 over the school year.

Despite the budget’s approval, there are concerns regarding the approval of the Michigan state budget that determines per-pupil funding. The Michigan Legislature has yet to finalize this budget, which could impact the implementation of the current plan. The budget assumes a proposed increase of 4.1% in the per-pupil foundation allowance pitched by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. If approved, this will raise the minimum per-student funding level to $10,000, applicable to the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD).

The district’s projected total expenditures stand at $1.09 billion, which is a decrease from the current year’s budget of $1.12 billion. This reduction is primarily attributed to changes in state pension fund allocations. Notably, the budget incorporates $38 million from a recent literacy lawsuit settlement, designating funds for hiring academic interventionists, additional teachers to lower class sizes, and to provide tutor stipends. The lawsuit stemmed from claims by Detroit public school students regarding insufficient educational opportunities resulting from poor school facilities and a scarcity of resources.

Furthermore, the overall chronic absenteeism rate across the district is reported at an alarming 66%, prompting the need for innovative solutions. The new transportation initiative, coupled with the incentive program, is part of a broader effort to enhance attendance and improve educational outcomes amid persistent funding uncertainties.

On the federal level, many school programs are at risk due to the uncertain funding landscape. A considerable portion of DPSCD’s budget relies on federal support, which is crucial for maintaining essential services such as Title I funding for low-income schools, Medicaid reimbursements for special needs services, and school meal programs. Educators and administrators are expressing concerns about possible cuts to federal funding that could adversely impact these vital resources.

In light of these funding challenges, the district is actively working to communicate with legislators, advocating against potential budget cuts that could jeopardize educational resources and opportunities for students. The efforts focus on securing stable funding to support initiatives that improve student attendance, academic performance, and overall educational quality in Detroit schools.