Education Cuts Will Have 'Devastating Impact,' Says W. Bloomfield Legislator

The state House narrowly passed nearly $1 billion in cuts to K-12 public education Thursday with a 57-53 vote. The cuts equate to just less than $300 per pupil, on top of the $170 per pupil cut that was approved over the summer.

The cuts also include a 15 percent decrease in state funding to community colleges and university budgets.

"I am deeply disappointed and saddened by the actions of this small number of Representatives that will have such a devastating impact on our children's future," state Rep. Lisa Brown  (D-West Bloomfield) said in a statement Thursday night.

The bill the House passed Thursday must be reconciled with the differences in the Senate bill, then go to Gov. Rick Snyder for his approval. The cuts cannot be adopted until then.

The Michigan Education Association called Thursday's action "very disappointing" and called on parents and other state residents to contact their legislators. "... the budget battle isn't over," the MEA said in a statement on its website. "The House and Senate now must reconcile competing funding plans. We continue to work around the clock to try to stop the GOP-controlled Legislature from cutting vital education funding that helps students, but we need your help." 

The West Bloomfield School District is  to fight against its $187,000 budget deficit.

Thomas Goulding, deputy superintendent for business and operations, said in April that based on predictions from Gov. Rick Snyder’s 2011 budget proposal, the district could face a deficit of almost $4.3 million for the 2011-12 school year.

Check back to West Bloomfield Patch for more details regarding public education cuts.