School Safety Week promotes creating positive educational environments

This story was produced by My UP News Anchor Rebecca Bartleme. Find the original story here.

This week is America’s Safe Schools Week. The week raises awareness among schools and communities about creating safe and positive educational environments for students and staff. State Superintendent  Michael Rice says improving the health, safety, and wellness of students is goal three in Michigan’s Top Ten Strategic Education Plan. This year, the State School Aid Act includes $107.8 million dollars.

For recurred Section 31N funding for intermediate school district social workers that support school district students and staff. Twenty-five million dollars for recurred Section 31AA per pupil funding to local school districts to support children’s mental health and school safety.  And one hundred and twenty-five million dollars for non-recurred Section 31AA per pupil funding to local school districts for the same purposes.

This last funding was added in a recent budget supplemental after the state superintendent, state board of education, and advocacy groups lobbied against the initial fiscal year 2025 budget for Children’s  Mental Health and School Safety. M. D. E. Encourages schools to take opportunities during the week to schedule safety drills.