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Michigan Schools Grapple with Funding Woes as New Year Starts
24 Aug
Summary
- Lawmakers delay state budget, leaving schools unsure of funding
- Detroit mayoral candidates pledge to address education issues
- Trump administration's policies could impact Michigan schools
As the 2025-26 school year begins on August 24th, 2025, Michigan schools are grappling with uncertainty over their funding. The state legislature has yet to agree on a budget, leaving school leaders unsure of how much money they will receive. This budget stalemate is one of the key issues that Chalkbeat will be monitoring throughout the academic year.
In Detroit, the upcoming mayoral election on November 4th, 2025, has brought education to the forefront of the campaign. The top two candidates, Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch, have both pledged to take a more active role in addressing the city's education challenges, such as low academic achievement and high chronic absenteeism rates. Whoever is elected will inherit these pressing issues from the outgoing mayor, Mike Duggan.
Beyond the local level, the actions of the Trump administration continue to loom over Michigan schools. Cuts to federal funding, changes to Medicaid spending, and immigration crackdowns are among the concerns that school leaders must contend with as the new academic year begins.
