Back to School: Investing in Our Kids and Our Schools
Dear Neighbor,
As students across our community head back to the classroom, I want to wish every student, parent, teacher, administrator and school staff member a successful school year. The start of a new school year is an exciting time, but it can also bring added costs and challenges for families. As your state representative, I’m proud to have supported investments that help make sure Michigan students have the resources they need to learn, grow and succeed.
Michigan is investing in students and families. This includes:
- $200 million for universal school meals, ensuring students can receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost to their families.
- Expanding the Great Start Readiness Program by removing income eligibility thresholds, giving more children access to high-quality early education.
- $125 million in transportation funding, helping ensure students have reliable transportation to and from school, including students in rural communities.
- $10 million for community violence intervention programs, helping schools create safer and healthier learning environments.
- A 20% increase in funding for at-risk students and English language learners, providing additional resources to students who need them most.
One of the programs I’m particularly proud to support is Michigan’s universal school meals program. Michigan School Meals was enacted in 2023, providing free breakfast and lunch to all public school students.
Here in District 25 and our surrounding communities, we have already seen a significant increase in participation, with an 89% increase in breakfasts served and a 46% increase in lunches served.
For families facing rising costs for groceries, housing and other necessities, free school meals can make a meaningful difference. Families can save approximately $1,000 per child each year while making sure their children have access to nutritious meals during the school day.
Making sure students have enough to eat is just one part of building stronger schools. We also need to ensure our educators have the support they need, our schools are safe and every student has access to the resources they need to succeed.
The start of a new school year is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to our children and their future. I’m proud of the investments we have made in Michigan’s schools, and I’ll continue working to make sure our students, educators and families have the support they need. I hope all of our students have a safe, successful and productive school year. To our teachers, administrators and school staff: thank you for everything you do for our kids and our community. As always, if you have questions or need assistance with a state-related issue, please reach out to my office by phone at 517-373-2275 or by email at [email protected].
Wishing everyone a great school year!
In service,
Peter Herzberg
State Representative
House District 25
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