Schools May Be Empty But State Superintendent Says Send Money Anyway

Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Rice wants lawmakers to assume schools will enroll the same number of students this coming fall as a year ago, in 2019-20.

In Michigan, school funding is based on how many students each district enrolls. Specifically, districts get state funding based on a physical count of students present on pre-determined days in the fall and spring.

A University of Michigan survey released in June found that 33% of Michigan, Illinois and Ohio parents may not return their children to school because of COVID-19.

Many Michigan school districts have stated they will only offer online instruction in the fall.