Kandrevas Unhappy As House Passes Education Cuts

The Michigan House of Representatives approved statewide cuts to education funding Thursday, the Associated Press reported.

The cuts, approved 57-53 in the Republican-led house, will slash funding for public schools, community colleges and universities. It now heads to the state Senate, where differences must be reconciled between the chambers' differing versions of the bill.

The Associated Press reported Thursday evening:

"The House proposal would cut school funding by an additional $256 to $297 per student. That's on top of a $170 per student cut that's already in place and would be carried over into next fiscal year."

Trenton Democratic House Rep. Andrew Kandrevas outwardly opposed the cuts and did not vote in favor of them.

In a written statement Kandrevas said he criticized his colleagues for passing a budget that he believes will have disastrous results for the state of Michigan.

“I am in utter disbelief that my colleagues would vote for these unconscionable cuts to our schools,” Kandrevas said. “Residents across the state of Michigan, while divided on many issues, have voiced overwhelming support for their children’s education. To take this funding away from our educational system is to doom a generation of future Michiganians to a substandard education; indeed, these cuts will do lasting, irrevocable harm to the social and economic well-being of our state.”

Kandrevas told Trenton Patch that there were many people on the Republican side of the House of Representatives and members of Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration who pressured people into voting in favor of the cuts.

According to the statement, cuts of this magnitude will almost certainly eliminate jobs, increase class sizes and limit educational programs and they are likely to force many districts into a state of financial emergency.

John Savel, superintendent of Trenton Public Schools, took the cuts into consideration when he created the district’s . Some of the cuts included the layoffs of 26 teachers, eliminating transportation for general education students and eliminating three administrative positions.

Class sizes are likely to increase at the elementary and middle school levels and some might not be available to students next year.

The district must adopt a budget by June 30, 2011.

Savel could not be reached for comment Friday.

“Education is really the number one talk of the town and I hope at least my colleagues will be able to revisit the budget and not make these cuts permanent,” Kandrevas said.