Committee hears testimony to codify Purple Star Schools program for military-connected students

Lansing — The Michigan House Education and Workforce Committee on May 14 heard testimony on House Bill 4,367, sponsored by Representative Jack Paquette Wolford, which would codify the Purple Star Schools program to support military-connected students in K–12 schools.

The bill would formalize a permissive designation for schools that meet state criteria to identify and support students from military families, sponsors said. Shane Preston, Great Lakes regional liaison for the Defense State Liaison Office within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, testified in support and urged the committee to pass the bill.

"On behalf of the Department of Defense, we are in strong support of the policies reflected in House Bill 4,367," Preston said. He described Purple Star Schools as "military friendly institutions that go above and beyond and meet the unique needs of these students." Preston said the program aligns state and federal policy to ease challenges military students face when families move frequently.

Sponsor Representative Wolford said many military families move two to three times in five years and that those moves can create curriculum gaps and inconsistent graduation requirements. "For a military family arriving at a new duty station, seeking a Purple Star designated school offers a promise: your child will be welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed," he said.

Committee members asked about funding and staffing. Representative Wilson asked whether the bill included appropriations or conversations with the chair of the House subcommittee on school aid. Preston and Wolford responded that the Purple Star program already received funding in a prior state budget and has been implemented by the Michigan Department of Education, and that the department would be best positioned to quantify any additional costs.

Representative Burns asked whether the liaison role required by some Purple Star criteria would be an added duty for existing school staff. Preston said the program is locally administered and that districts "can run the program as they see fit," noting that in some districts an existing staff member would take on the liaison role while other districts might have dedicated staff.

Preston also told the committee the program is established in many states: "There are about 43 other states that have a Purple Star school program already." He noted the measure is intended to be low-cost and permissive, and that the Michigan Department of Education has already implemented the program under current budget authority.

No committee vote on House Bill 4,367 occurred during the hearing. The sponsor and the Department of Defense urged passage; committee members requested additional detail from the Michigan Department of Education about implementation and any incremental costs.

The meeting then moved to the next agenda item.