Teachers Union Math Lesson: $8,326 Per Kid > $7,462 Per Kid

The first “walk-in” demonstrations sponsored by Michigan teachers unions protesting alleged cuts in school funding took place May 9.

The events generated some media coverage, such as this from an article by WEYI-TV.

“There's a massive shortage of teachers, there’s been a massive cut to funding and we want Lansing to listen to us,” Michigan Education Association member and Carman-Ainsworth teachers union president Frank Burger told the TV station.

The claim by Burger went unchallenged.

ForTheRecord says: Michigan news media rarely challenge union assertions that school funding has been cut in Michigan.

State funding for Burger’s school district (not including local or federal money) has increased since 2010-11.

In 2010-11, the Carman-Ainsworth district received $30.0 million in state dollars for 4,585 students in 2010-11, or $6,559 per pupil. When adjusted for inflation, this is the equivalent of $7,462 per student in 2018 dollars.

In 2017-18, the district received $39.7 million in state dollars for 4,769 students, or $8,326 per pupil.

State-only funding for all public schools was $10.80 billion in 2010-11, which was the last budget of then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm. It stands at $12.86 billion in the current fiscal year. In 2010-11, the state spent the equivalent of $11.87 billion when stated in 2018 dollars, meaning that after inflation, state spending on schools has increased by $1 billion since then.