House appropriations subcommittee reviews $20.8 billion School Aid Fund; members press for on-time passage

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Department of Education heard a briefing on the School Aid Fund budget at a committee meeting where analysts described a roughly $20.8 billion statewide school-aid appropriation, declining pupil membership, and a mix of ongoing and one-time funding that committee members said they will evaluate as they prepare the FY 2026 budget.

The analysts said the school-aid budget pays for K–12 operations and categorical programs and provides funds to the Michigan Department of Education, the Center for Educational Performance and Information and other third parties. "School aid is about 26% at $20,800,000,000," said Jacqueline Mullins, senior fiscal analyst, House Fiscal. Mullins and Noel Benson, fiscal analyst, presented high-level figures and answered committee questions.

Why it matters: the School Aid Fund is the state's main K–12 funding vehicle. The briefing showed a mix of steady or rising appropriations for retirement and categorical programs alongside a projected decline in total students, which shapes policy debates about foundation allowances, per-pupil equity and whether the budget will be delivered on time to districts.

Analysts' overview and key figures

Jacqueline Mullins and Noel Benson outlined the fund's scope and major line items. The presenters said Michigan allocates money to 537 traditional local school districts, 286 public school academies (charters) and 56 intermediate districts; traditional districts represent roughly 89% of statewide pupil membership, while charters represent about 11%. Presenters said there are 16 cyber schools with about 21,872 enrolled and a statutory cap of 30,870 under 2012…