Hundreds of K-12 Michigan school districts and schools have chosen to opt out of state-provided safety and mental health funding following the introduction of new conditions tied to the allocation of these funds.
The decision comes after 974 district and school leaders initially agreed to conditions requiring them to waive certain privileges and consent to state investigations in the event of a mass casualty incident, such as a school shooting.
Michigan School Funding Details: Education Funding Breakdown and Mental Health Initiatives
The funding, intended to enhance school safety and mental health, is distributed among traditional school districts, intermediate districts, charter schools, private schools, and the Michigan School for the Deaf, reports Chalkbeat. Public schools were set to receive $374 per pupil, whereas private institutions were allocated $236 per student. However, data from the Michigan Department of Education reveals that by the end of 2025, nearly half of the districts that initially accepted these terms — 462 in total — rescinded their agreements. This group includes approximately 70% of traditional school districts and 39% of charter schools.
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The reluctance to accept the conditions was partly due to vague language in the agreements. Many district leaders expressed concern over the lack of clarity, with some joining a lawsuit aimed at removing these conditions from the budget. The lawsuit argues that the language is “exceedingly vague” and lacks a clear definition of key terms, such as “waiving privilege.”
Background and Legal Context: State Budget Conditions and Education Policy Updates
The stipulations were introduced in the state budget approved by Michigan lawmakers in October, reports Chalkbeat. They mandate that school districts disclose information typically protected by legal privilege if a mass casualty event occurs. Additionally, districts must permit comprehensive state investigations following such incidents. The state budget defines a mass casualty event as an incident resulting in significant injuries to at least three individuals or any fatality.
In December, Judge Sima Patel upheld the budget’s language, prompting an appeal currently before the Michigan Court of Appeals. Despite the ongoing legal challenge, 512 districts and schools remain in line to receive the funding, which will be disbursed with February state aid payments.
Related Article: 5 School Safety Grant Writing Questions Answered by a Funding Advisor
Districts like Detroit Public Schools Community District and Dearborn Public Schools have chosen to maintain their agreements, highlighting the critical need for funds to support mental health initiatives and enhance security strategies.
The Nov. 2021 mass shooting at Michigan’s Oxford High School, which left four students dead, was the catalyst behind the law’s language. The Oxford mass shooting raised many concerns from community members, including concerns about the lack of cooperation from school and district employees.
