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In addition to positive budget proposals for PreK-12 schools, state budget proposals for community colleges and universities are strong as well for 2024-25. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget plan, that came out the beginning of February, calls for a 2.5% increase in funding for the state’s 15 public universities and 28 community colleges. Both the House and Senate are also recommending…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor A high school special education teacher in Farmington, Chris DeYonke (center) received the Paul Blewett Friend of Education Award earlier this month at the MEA Representative Assembly. A few years into his role as president of the Farmington Education Association (FEA), Chris DeYonke was marking member information in a spreadsheet when he stumbled across…

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and MEA President Chandra Madafferi attended the Michigan Construction Career Days event hosted by Operating Engineers Local 324 at their training center in Howell. More than 4,500 students from across Michigan gathered in Howell last week for two days of hands-on experience with tools, materials and heavy equipment as part of the 16th annual Michigan Construction Career…

Rochester High School teacher Kelley Cusmano is introduced as the 2024 Michigan Teacher of the Year at a surprise school event on May 7. Surrounded by over 1,600 students, family members, colleagues, and supporters, Rochester High School teacher Kelley Cusmano was presented with Michigan’s Teacher of the Year award for 2024 by State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. Cusmano, a veteran…

EAST LANSING – The Michigan Education Association announced Friday the recommendations of Kristen McDonald Rivet for the 8th Congressional District and Jessica Swartz for the 4th Congressional District. “At the local level, MEA members interviewed the candidates and have made careful decisions to recommend in these races because our students need members of Congress who’ll stand up for them,” said…

By MEA President Chandra Madafferi Federal school rescue funds provided by the Biden administration to help Michigan students recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will run out later this year, and it’s critical that our leaders identify revenue streams to maintain the progress our schools have been making. Michigan received a total of $5.63 billion in federal school…

With the introduction of the House and Senate School Aid Fund budget proposals – in addition to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive budget recommendations earlier this year – the state budget process for the 2024-25 school year is now in full swing. Over the next few weeks, MEA will be closely engaged with stakeholders in budget negotiations, advocating for the resources…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Kevin Fannin doesn’t need accolades to know he’s doing incredible work with young people at Milwood Magnet School in Kalamazoo—the looks on kids’ faces when they see him, the smiles, the hugs, the high fives, hand shakes and fist bumps say it all. Kevin Fannin But as a longtime school employee serving…

Ribbon-Cutting for the Health Center: TCAPS Superintendent Dr. John R. VanWagoner prepares to cut the ribbon with help from Heidi Britton, CEO of NMHSI Traverse City Area Public Schools educators recently tapped into federal American Rescue Plan Relief funds to launch the TCAPS Student Health Center, a medical and behavioral health services clinic serving local students and their families. Through…

Nearly 400 MEA members gathered in East Lansing for the 2024 Representative Assembly (RA) last weekend, passing the 2024-25 MEA budget, electing members to MEA and NEA boards and approving items and resolutions on human rights, artificial intelligence and gun safety, among other business. Delegates to MEA’s largest governing body heard from MEA President Chandra Madafferi on the many legislative…