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There's more money in Michigan's school aid fund, but should it be spent on schools on the brink?

A classroom in Flint.
Steve Carmody
/
Michigan Radio

Battle Creek State Senator Mike Nofs says he doesn’t think higher than expected revenue in the school aid fund should be used to bail out struggling school districts.

Nofs says at today’s revenue estimating conference, state officials will announce the school aid fund has nearly $100 million more than predicted.

Nofs expects there will be push to use that money to help the struggling Pontiac and Buena Vista school districts. But he says that’s not a good idea.

“There are a lot of Pontiacs, Buena Vistas in the next two to three years…that are facing those decisions…that money is not going to be enough money to save everybody,” says Nofs. 

State Senator Gretchen Whitmer says the money should be spent to help ailing school districts now.

The Senate Democratic leader says to do otherwise is a “failure of leadership.”

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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