Whitmer, Unions Work Together To Close Schools For 95,000 Students And Deny Families Necessary Educational Resources
LANSING, MI – Schools across Michigan have closed their doors after teachers unions called for a shutdown to start off the year. While factories, casinos, shopping malls and restaurants remain open, students are once again being denied access to in-person education in large, mostly urban school districts.
“Public school closures are hurting Michigan’s most vulnerable students and Governor Whitmer is allowing it to happen,” said Tori Sachs, executive director of the Michigan Freedom Fund. “Not only is Whitmer letting teachers unions close our schools, but she vetoed scholarships that would have given parents resources directly, to send their kids to open schools and hire tutors.
“The American dream begins with an education – and thanks to Whitmer and her teachers union allies, that door is closed in cities across Michigan today. Many parents who can afford to send their kids to open schools, hire tutors, or stay home to teach their kids are already doing so. It’s time for all parents to get access to the funds they need directly to ensure their children receive an education that works for them.”
In 2021, Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed reading and opportunity scholarships, which would have provided Michigan families with money to send their children to open schools and hire tutors to address student learning loss resulting from school closures.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District is the largest school district in the state. They are closed to in-person education today, despite receiving $16,250 per student in COVID stimulus, on top of $17,379 per student from local, state and federal funds.
In addition to Detroit, other Michigan school districts closed to in person learning include Lansing, Ann Arbor, Southfield, Flint, Pontiac, Romulus, and Oak Park. According to MiSchoolData.org, that means that 94,905 Michigan students are not receiving in person instruction today.
The Michigan Freedom Fund works to advance conservative ideas, hold our government accountable to taxpayers, and protect Freedom, opportunity, and workers’ Constitutional rights. For more information, please visit MichiganFreedomFund.com.
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