More Money for Schools? Yes, Please!

Editor:

As a proud Hancock resident, I believe deeply in the power of a strong public education system. After decades of disinvestment, Michigan schools remain underfunded, needing an additional $4.5 billion just to be able to give every student the education they need and deserve. In 2025 our students’ literacy and math outcomes reflect exactly what legislators have historically put into our public education system: not enough.

From classrooms stuffed with 30+ kids, to the fact that our schools are 49th of all FIFTY states in school funding growth-it’s imperative that we do something to demand our elected officials invest in our kids’ futures.

That’s why I believe that Invest In MI Kids, a ballot initiative that would generate over $1 billion each year for Michigan schools, is a clear solution to a decade of disinvestment in Michigan’s public school system.

The proposal would place a modest 5% surcharge on any couple’s income exceeding $1 million ($500,000 if filing individually) — the wealthiest 1% of Michiganders. This constitutional amendment safeguards these funds exclusively for classroom use: to lower class sizes, recruit and retain teachers, and for career and technical education. Educating thousands of students to be qualified in the workforce is a transformational opportunity for local business and local communities struggling to attract and retain talent.This surcharge would only impact about 2% of Michiganders.

Invest in Mi Kids has been endorsed by groups across the state like The Michigan PTA and the Benton Harbor Board of Education, and has secured support from over 100 elected officials, school boards, teachers, business owners, and education advocates. Why? Because we all agree on one thing: there’s no more time to waste- now is the time to fully fund Michigan’s schools.

Classrooms are overcrowded. Teachers are leaving the profession. And right now, where you live determines the kind of education you receive, or if you have access to career and technical education.Time and time again, our students pay the price.

Our children deserve better. So do our teachers. And so do our communities.

Let’s invest in Michigan’s future. Let’s Invest In MI Kids.

For more information on how to get involved go to InvestInMiKids.org.

Audrey Gerard

Regional Manager – Northern MI

Michigan United