Michigan Republican State Rep. Joseph G. Pavlov, along with other Thumb representatives, recently voted for a K-12 education budget plan spearheaded by House Republicans to cut funding to several major programs to fund a higher per-pupil fund allotment for schools, should the schools follow directives prohibiting what State House Republicans deem as the promotion of “any form of race or gender stereotyping” and other supposed DEI initiatives.
The $21.9 billion legislative package, approved in a close vote of 56-53, raises the baseline per-pupil funding allotment to $10,025, with an additional $1,975 provided per-student if the school district promises to employ at least one mental health support staff member and one school resource officer.
However, to achieve this, the bill cuts funding for a universal school breakfast and lunch program, funding for student vision, hearing and dental screenings, funding for school-based health centers, and a dedicated fund for school mental health and support services.
The bill also threatens to penalize school districts that lawmakers feel are engaging in supposed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming, such as the installation of gender-neutral bathrooms and the usage of pronouns in official emails.
State Rep. Pavlov represents northern St. Clair County and Sanilac County’s Worth Township. Other Thumb legislators who voted for the plan included District 98 Rep. Greg Alexander of Carsonville, District 97 Rep. Matt Bierlein of Vassar, District 67 Rep. Phil Green of Millington and District 65 Rep. Jaime Greene of Richmond.
