Lack of state budget may soon impact school districts

Please join us in urging our elected officials to reach a quick agreement and keep K-12 funding secure

Sept. 9, 2025

Dear Parents & Community Members,

As we begin the 2025-2026 school year, we want to update you on an important issue – the lack of a state budget – that could impact our students and schools.

State law mandates that our Legislature approve a K-12 school funding budget by July 1 each year so districts like ours can plan and operate with certainty. That deadline has passed, and no agreement has been reached. Without a budget, there’s a risk of a state government shutdown on September 30, which could delay funding that schools depend on to operate.

A reason for the deadlock appears to be proposals to redirect money from the School Aid Fund – the fund voters were promised would be dedicated to K-12 education – to other priorities, including road repairs. Many believe this violates the original intent of the system voters approved to provide fair funding for public schools.

If the Legislature does not pass a budget, districts will miss out on their first scheduled state aid payment on October 20, 2025. For our schools, that payment is a major part of the resources we rely on to:

• Fund academic programs, arts, athletics, and student activities.
• Maintain class sizes and student support services.
• Maintain bus operations and keep classrooms supplied.
• Compensate staff who work directly with students.

We cannot operate indefinitely without these resources. The solution is simple: lawmakers should approve a K-12 budget that safeguards School Aid Fund dollars for their original purpose – educating our children. Please join us in urging our elected officials to reach a quick agreement and keep K-12 funding secure. Our students deserve a stable, fully funded school year.

Respectfully,

Superintendents of the following Char-Em ISD districts:

Rachelle Cook, Alanson
Wil Cwikiel, Beaver Island
Pat Little, Boyne City
Cynthia Pineda, Boyne Falls
Ryan Cunningham, Central Lake
Scott Koziol, Char-Em ISD
Mike Ritter, Charlevoix
Enos Bacon, East Jordan
Aaron Gaffney, Ellsworth
Stephen Seelye, Pellston
Jeff Leslie, Petoskey