State House to Debate K-12 Bill Today

The Michigan House of Representatives is expected to begin debate this morning on a compromise plan to guide the reopening of Michigan K-12 schools this fall. The bipartisan deal that was worked out Friday between legislative leaders and Governor Gretchen Whitmer overwhelmingly passed the state Senate Saturday.

One sticking point for the Republican-led House is that the plan does not mandate that all districts provide in-person instruction. The House voted recently to require that in-person classes be offered for all elementary school students. That measure did not become law. Some large districts downstate have already announced that they will begin fall classes exclusively online.

Masks will not be required for in-person classes, but are highly recommended, and can be mandated by local districts.

Other elements of the compromise plan include setting basic funding at similar levels to last year. Additional money will be provided to help cover the costs of providing online courses, and for hazard pay for teachers. Students who attend courses online will be included in the district count, along with those who attend in person.

The agreement came a little late for local school districts, who were required to submit their COVID-19 reopening plans to the state last Friday. It’s not clear if the new state law would require that those plans be re-written.

If and when the House passes the plan, it would move to the governor for her signature.

The state’s two largest teachers unions – the Michigan Education Association and American Federation of Teachers Michigan – issued a joint statement supporting the plan.

Some school superintendents have been critical, noting the tardiness of the bill’s arrival, and that it dumps a lot of new regulations and reporting requirements on districts that already have their hands full.