Peter Spadafore, executive director of the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, issued the following statement following passage of the fiscal year 2026 school aid budget:
“We are relieved that the Legislature has finally passed a K-12 school budget, providing districts with the clarity they need to move forward and significant investments in at-risk funding, bi-lingual education, and per-pupil funding. But let’s be clear: this process cannot become the norm. As of today, there are fewer than 272 days until the next legal budget deadline of July 1, 2026.
“Michigan students, families, and educators deserve more than last-minute deals. They deserve responsible budgeting that meets legal deadlines and allows schools to plan with certainty. Delays this year forced districts into impossible choices — cutting programs, reducing services, or laying off staff. That is the real cost of legislative inaction.
“Lawmakers must treat the July 1 deadline as non-negotiable. An on-time budget is not just a legal requirement; it is the bare minimum for ensuring every Michigan child has the stability and resources they need to succeed.”
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