LANSING, Mich. – Peter Spadafore, executive director of the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity (The Alliance), issued the following statement today following Gov. Whitmer’s signature on legislation that invests in making schools safer, boosts mental health resources:

“After months of hard work and advocacy from school leaders we can finally celebrate the signing of this supplemental that will restore funding for school safety and support mental health services. Representatives Regina Weiss and Angela Witwer were strong leaders for Michigan students through House Bill 5503, which provides much-needed resources for our schools as they work to improve safety and create better atmospheres that foster student learning and provide mental health supports that set our children up for success.

“While this is a positive step forward for schools across Michigan, we still have work to do to shore up funding in the long term. We look forward to working with our partners in the legislature and governor’s office to develop the necessary funding strategies that will position our schools to improve student learning outcomes for years to come.”

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The Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, formerly the Middle Cities Education Association, works to build an equitable foundation for education, where every student in Michigan, regardless of circumstance, is equipped to succeed after graduation. Learn more at mialliance.com.