State Board of Education (SBE) Holds Public Forum to Hear Ideas for Education Financing Reform

The Tuesday, March 9 meeting of the State Board of Education (SBE) will complete a series of public forums asking Michigan’s leading education stakeholders, economists, and policy analysts to share recommendations for stabilizing Michigan’s funding system for pre-K, K-12, and higher education.

The input will help inform recommendations the SBE will make for long-term structural reforms to better support effective education and higher education systems.

Presenting at the SBE meeting on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 will be:

• John Bebow, Executive Director, Center for Michigan
• David Hecker, President, American Federation of Teachers – Michigan
• Iris Salters, President, Michigan Education Association
• Sabrina Keeley, Chief Operating Officer, Business Leaders for Michigan
• Mike Murray, Superintendent, Suttons Bay Area Schools – Representing the Consensus for Change Think Tank

“With looming budget shortfalls for next year, and the inability of the state to resolve the education financing problems of Michigan, it is imperative that Michigan develop long-term structural remedies,” said SBE President Kathleen Straus.  

The SBE expects to make its recommendations about how Michigan should remake its education-related revenue base, investment priorities, and spending reforms to the state Legislature and Governor in April.

“These public forums have been strategic in bringing in a broad spectrum of ideas and philosophies for the State Board to gather and glean a solid and balanced recommendation to the Legislature,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan.