Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed her seventh record education budget into law. The balanced, bipartisan fiscal year 2026 (FY26) school aid budget sets a record amount in per-pupil funding of $10,050 and includes $122 million to support student literacy, $274 million to provide a 25% increase in funding for English Language Learners, academically at-risk students, career and technical education students, and students in rural school districts. The budget also allocates funds for school safety, special education, and free meals for students.
“Free meals help our kids focus on learning instead of worrying about being hungry,” said Whitmer.
Flint Community Schools Superintendent Kevelin Jones said being able to provide students with a free breakfast and lunch “matters.”
“This ensures that no child learns on an empty stomach,” said Jones.
The budget also includes more money for career and technical education and more money for higher education.
Michigan Rep Tim Kelly (R-Clinton), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid & the Department of Education said, “I am pleased to support a school aid budget with an historic increase in the foundation allowance, one that fully funds all public school students regardless of the school they choose to attend. Restoring health and safety, plus food support for every child, including non-public students, an increase for at-risk kids and installing important guardrails in how funds are used and spent.”
“This budget proves that when House Democrats stay at the table, we deliver results that make a real difference in people’s everyday lives,” commented state Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn). “We stepped up to increase per-pupil funding and ensured that kids can count on healthy meals at school. We protected at-risk funding for our most vulnerable students, maintained resources for English language learners, and prevented cuts to school mental health programs. This budget includes improvements to the classrooms where our kids learn and funding to keep our schools safe. Families can rest assured that here in Lansing we are making investments in their children so they can have successful futures.”