Michigan must act fast to avoid losing billions in federal stimulus funds.
In 2021, President Joe Biden approved a stimulus program allocating over $3.7 billion in emergency school funding for Michigan as part of the American Rescue Plan.
With a total of $5.6 billion left unspent, there is a looming deadline of Sept. 30 to allocate these funds.
Both public and charter schools can benefit from these funds, potentially supporting after-school or summer programs.
There are discussions on using the money to purchase school equipment, increase mental health resources, or boost salaries.
Michigan ranks low in education, with concerns about students falling behind in math and science due to pandemic-related learning losses.
States need to ensure they spend any remaining funds from the pandemic period wisely before the deadline to avoid losing money.
Michigan State Superintendent Michael Rice emphasized the challenges districts face if stimulus funds were used for recurring expenses without planning for the future.
It’s crucial for states to allocate funds strategically to support educators and students in achieving pre-pandemic performance levels.