Thousands gathered in Lansing last week to fight for more adequate funding for public schools.
Among those, in attendance on June 21 were many Clarkston teachers, parents and school board members from the Clarkston community.
Organized by the K-16 Coalition for Michigan’s Future, the rally brought people together to speak their minds on Senate Bill 246 and House Bill 4582, both asking for public education to receive annual funding increases equal to the rate of inflation, or five percent.
Sheila Hughes, a Clarkston school board member, also stated that representatives were interested in gaining more equality in money that is dispensed per child.
‘We were there to try to make sure all districts are equally funded,? said Hughes.
Another issue is per-pupil funding. Right now schools receive $6,700 per student. That number may be raised to $6,850, through current discussions in the House and the Senate.
Hughes hopes the large turnout will put pressure on the legislator.
‘It was a great turnout, around 11,000 people came out. We all met in the Lansing Center, heard speeches, then marched to the capital,? Hughes said. Governor Granholm spoke on school funding at the rally; however, she avoided addressing Senate Bill 246 or House Bill 4582.
Granholm, whose ultimate goal is to raise the number of college graduates in the state of Michigan, stated she would like the legislator to do the right thing, and give money to students, rather than special interest groups.
Huges is now waiting, along with others from the rally, to see if their voices were heard.
‘I feel like we really got a message across, and next we want to shift funding and eliminate loop holes,? Hughes said.