Increase in education spending in budget plan

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will unveil an ambitious budget plan this week that addresses Michigan’s educator shortage, as well as mental health and learning needs for students.

Whitmer is proposing to provide the biggest increase in education spending in 20 years. The governor’s budget director is set to present the spending recommendations to lawmakers Wednesday.

Whitmer’s $18.4 billion pre-K-12 spending plan would increase the per-pupil foundation allowance by $435 per student, going from $8,700 to $9,135.

In addition to the foundation funding increase, Whitmer is proposing a four-year, $2.3 billion educator-retention plan to give $2,000 bonuses to all full-time public school employees who return to their districts in the fall of the next two school years. Part-time staff would receive prorated amounts.

Teachers and other certificated staff would receive additional bonuses of $3,000 and $4,000 in the following two years, through the 2025-26 school year.