State Rep. Greg Alexander today underscored the local effects of a planned $302 million cut to school safety and mental health funding in a budget plan currently before the governor.

Alexander, who voted against the plan as it was approved by Democrat majority in the House, said less funding will mean school resource officers and mental health professionals will likely face layoffs – especially in rural areas.

“When parents drop their kids off at school for the day, they want to know that resources and dedicated professionals are there to make sure their kids are safe and healthy as they learn and prepare for the futures ahead of them,” said Alexander, of Carsonville. “Unfortunately, the budget strips some of these resources by eliminating hundreds of millions of dollars that go toward safety and mental health. It’s incredible that even with another state budget that spends over $80 billion in taxpayer money, we’re looking at a situation where there’s going to be less available to keep kids safe at school. That’s misguided and unacceptable. Districts and families in the Thumb will feel the impact of these reductions in funding.”

The new total of dedicated school safety and mental health funding within the budget plan for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 would amount to a 92% cut compared to the current fiscal year. New data compiled by the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency illustrates how much funding a host of local school districts are set to lose, based on the latest school count numbers:

The budget also provides no increase to core per-pupil school funding for the first time since 2011. The Michigan Education Association, a union for teachers and school employees, has called for the Legislature to pass a supplemental spending bill to reverse the safety and mental health reductions.

Alexander represents Huron County in the Michigan House, as well as portions of Lapeer, Sanilac and Tuscola counties.