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LANSING – In order to ensure schools have the resources they need for their students to receive the best education possible, House Democrats today unveiled a new plan to give the state's lowest-funded schools more money to hire additional teachers, reduce class sizes and distribute necessary resources for our schools.

"Our kids deserve to have equal access to the high-quality education they will need to compete for jobs in the high-tech global economy," said State Representative Bert Johnson (D-Detroit). "As lawmakers, the future of our children should be our No. 1 priority. This plan will level the playing field and increase opportunities for Detroit youth."

Under the plan, funding would be provided to narrow the gap between the lowest- and highest-funded school districts. The disbursement amount would vary based on how much each district currently receives, gradually bringing the lowest district payments in line with Michigan's higher-funded districts. At least $20 million would be available for equity payments through the program in year one.

Michigan's 774 school districts receive revenue through the Michigan School Aid Fund (SAF). Proposal A, of 1994, made a promise to eliminate the gap between the highest- and lowest-funded districts. However, the provision of Proposal A to ensure equity was stopped in 1999 before it reached its intended goal. As a result, large per-student funding differentials still exist through the current SAF distribution formula. Due to these large disparities, certain schools have the resources for top-notch instruction and smaller class sizes while other districts are struggling to provide children essential educational tools.