Some Berrien County school officials are sending a message to state lawmakers who are putting together next year’s budget, saying the way the state funds public schools is “fundamentally broken” and needs to be fixed to reflect the true cost of educating students.
That’s according to a resolution passed recently by trustees in at least two Berrien County school districts – Coloma and Lakeshore – and by the members of the Berrien RESA Board of Education.
The resolution calls for the state to change to a weighted school funding formula that provides more money to school districts for children who are in poverty and special education, or who are English language learners. The state currently gives schools districts a flat rate for each student, with some extra funding for students in special education.