Governor Rick Snyder announced his proposed 2018 state budget this week, suggesting an increase in spending on education.
The day after the announcement the governor toured the William Ford Career Tech Center in Westland. Students showed him how they are getting hands on experience that will prepare them for careers.
Students can learn at the school how to fix cars, weld, help the sick, and use in-demand technology.
“Shouldn’t we be encouraging more places like this to do career tech education?” asked Snyder.
The proposed budget would give $12.3 billion to K-12 education. K-12 school districts would receive an increase of between $50 and $100 per student. On top of that, schools would get an extra $50 for every high school student.
In the past the state has not provided extra funding to high schools.
“The costs aren’t the same,” said Gov. Snyder.
He is also proposing $20 million in grants for career tech programs.
Wayne Westland Community Schools Superintendent Michele Harmala says it is a step in the right direction.
“I don’t think it is a be-all, end-all, but I think we are on the right road. We appreciate the Governor for stepping out,” said Dr. Harmala in response to the plan.
Gary Naeyaert from the Great Lakes Education Project, which advocates for choice and charter schools says the budget is “political payback.”
He says the governor is retaliating because charter schools lobbied against a commission to oversee the opening and closing of all schools in Detroit.
The governor’s plan would cut funding per student to cyber charter schools. There are many cyber charter academies.
“I am from a tech background,” said Gov. Snyder.” It made sense when they were in the start up phase to have equal funding, but now that they have been in operation, their costs are lower."
Many charter schools are also K-8. They believe an equal amount of funding should be given to all students.
“It costs more to run a high school than an elementary school. We should recognize that,” said Gov. Snyder. “If they want a high school, they should start one.”
