The Word from Lansing: Join Us in Advocacy for Your Local Catholic School

The return to school is once again on many Michigan families’ minds, whether the first day of school is fast approaching or has already commenced. For Michigan Catholic Conference, however, education advocacy for the 50,000 Michigan students who attend Catholic schools and the 100,000 total students who choose nonpublic education is a year-round endeavor.

A substantial part of MCC’s education advocacy revolves around the state budget process and working to ensure Michigan children in nonpublic schools receive fair, equitable access to state-funded support services that benefit students in all learning environments.

The current process began in February when the Governor released her proposals for the next state budget, including for schools and education. In the months that followed, the Senate and House passed school-spending budget plans of their own.

State law requires a budget to be presented to the Governor by July 1. The Legislature, however, has missed the deadline. Negotiations have continued over the summer and hopefully a final deal will be reached between the Democrat-led Senate, Republican-led House, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The budget must ultimately be completed before the new fiscal year begins October 1.

At every step along the way, MCC and its education policy partner, the Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools (MANS), are in constant communication with key lawmakers in both chambers and parties, advocating on behalf of students in Catholic and other nonpublic schools.

Support for nonpublic schools remains a point of difference between the Senate, House, and Governor. Proposals from the Senate and Governor would eliminate what schools currently receive. This includes money to improve school building safety and security, to provide mental health services, support for students to participate in robotics competitions, and to cover the cost of state-mandated health and safety measures.

The House, on the other hand, has set aside $40 million for nonpublic schools, which could be used for a defined set of services. This would include the provisions mentioned above, as well as healthy meals for more children, and support for college students who choose to fulfill their student teaching assignment in a nonpublic school.

The proposed funding—much like what has been approved by the Legislature and upheld by state courts in years past—complies with the state constitution restriction regarding public aid for nonpublic schools, as the funding strictly supports secular activities and health and safety matters.

The appropriation does not dilute funding for public schools, either, as it originates from a different source than the constitutionally protected School Aid Fund for public K–12 schools. Proposals that reduce or eliminate existing funding do nothing to benefit public schools and only hurt students who attend nonpublic schools.

Michigan has a longstanding history of funding support services for Catholic and other nonpublic schools, having recognized these are Michigan students, and that a state budget that supports all students advances the common good.

To encourage support for the House-passed funding, MCC and MANS produced a series of videos featuring interviews with various nonpublic school leaders across Michigan, who shared how state support has helped their schools and how their schools serve the common good of the state.

The videos have helped drive a broader campaign to encourage Catholics and others to contact their lawmakers and urge their support for a budget that includes nonpublic school funding.

At the time of this writing, more than 2,800 messages have been sent to lawmakers in nearly every legislative district in the state, helping them understand the broader impact their decisions have on the families of over 100,000 students who attend Michigan’s nonpublic schools.

Please consider joining the effort to support Catholic schools and students by sending an email to your elected officials. You can do this at micatholic.org/supportstudents.