State and federal funding ‘mess’ complicates return to school for local districts

As schools reopen the week of Aug. 18, their leaders lack the answer to a crucial question: How much money will they have to teach students? Political gridlock in the state Legislature and proposed drastic downsizing of education spending by the Trump administration have left major chunks of state and federal funding in limbo. Dan Behm, executive director of Education Advocates of West Michigan, breaks down the reasons for the logjam — and what lawmakers and citizens can do about it.

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