Capitol News

As the new school year approaches, Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) wants to ensure that teachers and students alike are provided with the appropriate tools and circumstances for learning. 

Teachers and administrators have been working hard when it comes to fulfilling the needs of their students, despite Michigan's schools being closed since March.

“My colleagues and I have been talking with school administrators and teachers in our communities to understand what schools need to safely reopen,” Schmidt said on MiSenateGOP

Sen. Wayne Schmidt | #MiSenateGOP

Schmidt is supporting the “Return to Learn" plan that includes funding — $1.3 billion — from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds, which will pay for many of the necessary changes that have arisen from COVID-19.

There will be $800 per student allotted to schools, providing the institutions with the funding they need to implement some important changes, such as safety measures and more effective distance-learning operations. 

“My colleagues and I recognize the extraordinary efforts undertaken by students, teachers, parents and school employees who — in the midst of an unprecedented challenge — collaborated to continue learning,” Schmidt said, according to MiSenateGOP. 

There will be opportunities for the schools to purchase much-needed devices, upgrade their networks and WiFi connection, develop curriculum that can be delivered digitally and deliver educational materials. 

“We also recognize the extraordinary lengths teachers have taken to ensure their students were able to learn after the abrupt and unforeseen closure of school buildings,” Schmidt told MiSenateGOP.

Teachers will also be given $500 for overtime and hazard pay, which can help to alleviate some of the substantial burden that they have been faced with since the start of the pandemic. 

“We must give our teachers and schools the flexibility they need continue teaching our kids under these extreme circumstances and to be prepared to pivot on a moment’s notice in case something like this happens again,” Schmidt told MiSenateGOP.

Schmidt represents all or parts of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Luce and Mackinac counties.