State Rep. Donni Steele said a plan signed by the governor this week restores a portion of the funding for school safety and mental health services that was cut earlier this year, but there’s still much work to be done to ensure local schools have the resources they need.

The new state school budget, passed by the Legislature earlier this year along partisan lines, included a $302 million cut to school safety and mental health funding, which local schools rely on to pay for school resource officers, guidance counselors, and building upgrades that keep students safe. The latest plan signed by the governor restores less than half of what was cut.

“School safety and mental health should never be compromised,” said Steele, R-Orion Township. “The restoration of $125 million is a move in the right direction, but it doesn’t go far enough to address the significant shortfall our schools are facing. Many districts are still struggling to cover the costs of essential services, including resource officers and building upgrades that protect students.”

Steele emphasized the need for continued collaboration and action to fully restore funding and protect the well-being of students across Michigan.

“Our schools need reliable support to keep students safe and address their mental health needs,” Steele said. “While I’m encouraged by this progress, we must remain focused on ensuring that every school has the resources they need to maintain a secure and supportive environment for our children.”

Last month, Steele helped introduce a comprehensive plan to improve Michigan schools. It includes a bill to restore the full $302 million cut to school safety. It also includes measures to modernize Michigan’s merit curriculum to offer students more pathways to success and gives teachers new tools to improve literacy and reach students with dyslexia.

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