GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A brand new state-funded research reveals Michigan faculties want roughly $22.8 billion to improve their growing old infrastructure.
The research by Plante Moran Realpoint and Barton Malow Builders was lately introduced to the Michigan Division of Training. The research was funded by the State Faculty Assist Act, which was amended by the Legislature in 2023.
Based on the MDE, 93% of the state’s “traditional public schools” participated within the research — 552 districts.
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“This study only looked at health, safety and wellness components of K-12 instructional school buildings and did not include other potential costs, including technology equipment, administrative, athletic, playground or transportation facilities,” Steven Ezikian, Government Director of the Faculty Finance Analysis Basis, stated in a press release.
“It also does not address replacing interior finishes, parking lots or other instructional buildings dedicated to preschool or adult education or modernizing building configurations to meet current instructional practices.”
The research covers greater than 243 million sq. ft of faculty facility house. The overview discovered it might be more cost effective to exchange 26 buildings and that 2,508 others want some type of repairs.
Of the funding, the research says $5.3 billion is required for “critical items” that must be addressed inside the subsequent three years.
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State Superintendent Michael Rice says the report reveals that regardless of current rises at school funding, Michigan’s faculties nonetheless want a a lot larger funding.
“Strong learning environments include not just great staff, top-notch instructional materials and modern technology, but also buildings that are in good repair, with frequent air exchange and a reasonable temperature throughout the year,” Rice acknowledged. “The report and its findings are consistent with Goal 3 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan and make a contribution to our understanding of school district capital needs.”
Rice believes it is going to in the end take a voter referendum to put aside the funds wanted to finish the mandatory faculty upgrades.
“A statewide referendum — which would involve members of the public collecting petition signatures to put a vote on the ballot — is needed to address the state’s school building needs and to increase the number of teachers — particularly in early elementary grades — support staff and mental health staff,” the MDE acknowledged.
