Knezek, Zemke Introduce Bills to Give Schools Funding Flexibility

Legislation would make technology, safety, transportation investments easier

LANSING — State Representatives David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) and Adam F. Zemke (D-Ann Arbor) have introduced legislation that would remove restrictions on certain funds, allowing school districts to use that money to make infrastructure improvements and capital investments.

“Many school districts find themselves unable to provide students with the latest technology as a result of the deep funding cuts that have been imposed over the last few years,” Knezek said. “Technology in the classroom supplements a high quality education, and ensures our children are ready to enter the 21st century workforce.”

The three-bill package would affect sinking funds, which are voter-approved pools of money intended to maintain the liquid assets of a school district or other public entity. Knezek’s bill, House Bill 4483, would allow school districts to spend the money on technology upgrades, while Zemke’s bills, HBs 4368 and 4515, would let them put sinking funds toward safety and security equipment and transportation purchases and repairs, respectively.

“These bills expand local control by giving school districts, and the people who live in them, more of a say in funding decisions,” Zemke said. “Rather than simply accepting the decisions made for them in Lansing, community leaders can have another tool at their disposal to improve schools and give kids a brighter future.”