Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators
Supporting Regional Educational Service Agencies
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Superintendents continue call for an on-time budget, keeping School Aid dollars to K-12
MI
Apr 23, 2026
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Key Points
Superintendents urge lawmakers to pass 2026-27 budget by July 1 deadline, but say June 1 is doable
K-12 Alliance and superintendents called on the Legislature to stop diverting School Aid Fund dollars to non-public school expenses
New polling suggests lawmakers' use of School Aid Fund dollars for other purposes is highly unpopular
Superintendents from across Michigan began the call Thursday for lawmakers to pass the 2026-27 budget by the beginning of summer so local districts can plan for the next school year.
During a virtual press conference hosted by the K-12 Alliance of Michigan, superintendents also criticized the use of School Aid Fund for higher education. The budgets proposed by the House and Senate both use School Aid Fund for universities and community colleges.
“We all enjoy strong partnerships with the institutions of higher education. That said, K-12 has a responsibility to provide a free and appropriate public education. That means that we are dependent upon the budget that is delivered to us from the state of Michigan,” Marquette-Alger RESA Superintendent Gregory Nyen said. “Our higher education partners (can) increase tuition to cover their costs. We don't have that luxury. Locally, right now, this conversation is front and center as our higher ed partner in our backyard is building beautiful new structures and our largest (school district) is going for a $60 million bond to cover infrastructure improvements that are probably two or three decades behind schedule.”
PA146 Dyslexia Resources
Under MAISA's direction, a joint workgroup of ISD leaders from GELN (General Education Leadership Network) and SEILN (Special Education Instructional Leadership Network) began planning in October 2024 following the signing of Public Act 146 of 2024. The group has developed resources to support 56 ISDs in implementing the law across Michigan's 835 public school districts.
Additionally, the GELN Early Literacy and Disciplinary Literacy Task Forces have curated and organized resources into a centralized PA 146 landing page, available below.
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