Students join protests over cuts

by Ray Kisonas

A Lansing subcommittee on education funding has proposed reinstating $200 million to public schools that would reduce cuts by $130 a pupil.

That reduction could help ease but not eliminate the pain of cuts that have been the source of protests across Michigan, including Monroe.

In its proposal, the Senate’s Subcommittee on Appropriations for K-12 Funding reinstated $130 per pupil, which would reduce the amount of cuts from $470 to $340. Today, the full appropriations committee is expected to vote on the proposal.

On Wednesday, a House subcommittee recommended that schools be cut next year by an additional 3.9 percent — a reduction that would range from $285 to $331 a student, depending on what districts now receive from the state.

Proposals vary between Gov. Rick Snyder and Republicans who control the state Legislature.

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, said he is confident the Senate committee’s plan will be supported and he is expecting committees to further reduce the proposed cuts to education.

“I think it’s very solid,” Sen. Richardville said this morning. “There is a degree of hope out there.”

In the meantime, rallies have been held in Lansing and Monroe as supporters loudly voice their concern over the cuts, which would mean millions of fewer dollars for schools in Monroe County. On Wednesday, several Monroe High School students held their own rally to protest the cuts.

Debate teacher Deb Mau said her students came up with the idea to hold the rally during class discussions regarding whether education is a privilege or a right.

She said the students decided on their own to protest the cuts and she did not encourage them to walk along Telegraph and other streets holding signs after school.

“I would never ask a child to fight for my political beliefs,” Ms. Mau said. “One hundred percent of it was student run and operated. I wasn’t even out there.”

Sen. Richardville said he supported students who show passion on issues.

“I’m encouraged that they want to become more involved in the process,” he said. “I think it’s great.”

Community colleges face cuts, too. While the governor proposed holding funding steady for those institutions, the Senate appropriations committee voted for a 3.4 percent cut, while a House plan to be voted on would cut community colleges by 15 percent.