Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee Hears Support for Purple Star Schools to Aid Military‑Connected Students
Summary
Lawmakers and the Department of Defense told the House Education and Workforce Committee that House Bill 4,367 would codify Michigan's existing Purple Star Schools program, a permissive designation aimed at easing school transitions for military families; committee members asked about funding and who would serve as school liaisons.
Representative Daniel Wolford introduced House Bill 4,367 to the House Education and Workforce Committee and was joined by Shane Preston, Great Lakes regional liaison for the Defense State Liaison Office, who urged members to back the measure.
Shane Preston told the committee the Department of Defense “is in strong support of the policies reflected in House Bill 4,367,” saying Purple Star Schools “go above and beyond and meet the unique needs” of military‑connected students. He said the program addresses curriculum mismatches, inconsistent graduation requirements and the social disruptions that follow frequent military moves.
The bill would codify a permissive Purple Star Schools program that the Michigan Department of Education already operates, Preston said, and he described the change as a “low cost, high impact step forward.” He told members the program has received funding in prior state budgets and that the department has already implemented it. Representative Wolford and Preston noted the measure passed the House in a prior term “with 100 votes.”
Committee members asked operational questions. Representative Wilson asked whether appropriations conversations had occurred with the chairs of school aid appropriations; Preston and Wolford said the program has been funded previously and recommended the Michigan Department of Education provide specific cost estimates. Representative Burns asked about the school liaison role the designation envisions; Preston said the program is permissive and that local schools decide how to staff a liaison, adding that in some districts an existing staff member would take the duty as an additional responsibility.
Witnesses and the sponsor emphasized that designation is voluntary and locally implemented: schools apply for the Purple Star designation and then decide how to meet the baseline criteria. Preston described the liaison as typically an added duty rather than a new statewide mandated position, and he noted about 43 other states have Purple Star programs with local variation.
There was no committee vote on House Bill 4,367 during the hearing. Members requested further detail on costs and implementation options from the Department of Education before advancing formal action.
Representative Wolford said he appreciated the committee taking the bill on short notice and Preston closed by urging members to vote yes to support military families.
