MASB warns trustees: state budget stalemate leaves district finances uncertain

Brenda Pilgrim, assistant director of government relations for the Michigan Association of School Boards, told the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education that the state Legislature had not passed a K-12 budget and negotiations between the House, Senate and governor were far from resolution. "We do not have a budget," Pilgrim said, adding that House and Senate proposals are "miles and miles and miles apart." She urged trustees to contact their legislators to press for movement.

Pilgrim also said federal budget uncertainty could complicate district funding, noting a possible federal shutdown on Oct. 1 that could affect Title funding. She described MASBs internal process for setting policy positions: a government relations committee reviews bills, vets impacts on districts, and forwards recommendations to the MASB board.

Trustees pressed Pilgrim on a proposed class-size funding program that was under discussion at the state level. Pilgrim described the proposal as a competitive, one-time grant targeted initially to four districts (she named Benton Harbor, Flint and Detroit and said another district would be included). She said MASB was seeking clarification on whether the allocation would be new money or a reallocation of existing funds: "Are we robbing Peter to pay Paul?" she asked, summarizing the committees concern about sustainability.

Trustees said they supported smaller class sizes in principle but were concerned about affordability if the state budget did not provide ongoing funding. Trustee Baskett said the committee representative had forwarded pending legislation to trustees and reminded members the MASB board may adopt or override committee recommendations.

The discussion concluded with Pilgrim encouraging trustees to use MASB resources and to communicate with legislators while she offered to respond to follow-up questions about specific bills.