Capitol News

State Rep. Luke Meerman, who chaired the House School Safety Task Force last term, expressed his disappointment after the Senate Appropriations Committee omitted certain school safety and mental health funding for non-public schools in the new state budget proposal. Meerman emphasized the importance of ensuring safety in all educational settings, regardless of the type of school attended, to protect the well-being of students, teachers, and staff members.

"Every child deserves a safe learning environment regardless of the type of school they attend. Ensuring safety in all educational settings protects the well-being of students, teachers and staff members. By investing in school safety measures universally, our state would demonstrate a commitment to the wellbeing of all children, which is our collective responsibility. It is unfair and unethical to offer security measures to some students but not others," said State Rep. Luke Meerman.

Expressing hope for a change in funding decisions, Meerman stated, "I am very disappointed by the Senate’s decision and I am hopeful that House Appropriations Committee members will step up and do the right thing and fund school safety universally in Michigan."

Meerman's call on the Legislature to prioritize and fund safety measures for all students equitably highlights the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to ensuring the safety and security of all individuals within the educational system.