Note: The following column was published by the Lapeer County Press on Saturday, Sept. 12:

Kids across Lapeer, Genesee and Tuscola counties have started back to school. I want to wish the very best to our local students and hardworking educators as we begin the new school year.

I also want to highlight measures I have recently supported in the Legislature that will support our schools and help students thrive as they prepare for their futures.

The signed budget I voted for increases per-pupil funding by $250 to $10,300 per student, features $50 million in new funding for tutoring to help struggling students, and includes additional funding for teacher bonuses, dual enrollment, bus services and other resources.

These increased investments will be felt locally. Lapeer Community Schools will see an increase of $3.2 million compared to last year’s budget. Other school districts in the House district I represent will also receive increases, including Clio Area School District ($2.3 million increase), North Branch Area Schools ($1.8 million), LakeVille Community School District ($950,000), Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools ($874,000), Millington Community Schools ($826,000), and Genesee School District ($616,000).

The budget maintains critical mental health and school safety funding. In 2023, under one party rule, Michigan cut funding for school safety and mental health programming statewide by 92% — going from $328 million for school safety and mental health to just $26.5 million for schools across the state to try and fund school resource offices, mental health services and other critical programs that protect kids.

That was unacceptable. When Republicans took control of the House, we restored these critical resources and have fought for their inclusion in state budgets amidst divided government.

It takes more than just resources to help students and support schools. It also requires effective policy. Needed education reforms within the budget will help improve child literacy rates, including a program that will train educators in science of reading curriculums and a cap for reading curriculums at 15 to ensure uniformity for students.

During the 2022-2023 school year, elementary schools in Michigan were using over 400 different English Language Arts curriculum resources — many of which had never been formally vetted. Results from other states have shown the science of reading system gives teachers the tools they need and increases reading scores. It was important to move these changes forward so we can start seeing better scores and better results for our students.

Another law signed by the governor earlier this year is the elimination of cell phones in classrooms. These new, uniform policies began this school year and were the culmination of months-long efforts to keep students more focused and educators from having to compete with screens.

The new law outlines exemptions for medically necessary devices, district-issued devices, devices used for academic purposes or classroom assignments at the teacher’s discretion, and devices supporting special education programs, IEPs, or 504 Plans. Emergency use for cell phones is permitted as long as it does not interfere with safety protocols or endanger anyone on campus. If a school district allows, students would also still be able to use their phones during non-instruction time between classes and during lunch.

These new parameters are becoming common across the country and are based on what parents, educators and school administrators have called for. As of January, nearly 30 states have passed full bans on cell phone use and others have required districts to establish their own policies or limit when cell phones can be used in class. A 2024 American Association of Educators survey of over 1,500 teachers from across the country found that 70% want cellphones to be banned during the school day. In addition, 74% of U.S. adults said in a Pew Research poll done last year that they would support banning middle and high school students from using cellphones during class. That was up six percent from a similar poll done the previous year.

I am continuing work in the Legislature to provide critical resources for our local schools and promote positive, robust learning environments for students.