June 10, 2024
Dear Families:
We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to express our gratitude for your ongoing support and to share vital information regarding school funding for the upcoming academic year.
Currently, the Legislature and Governor are considering a proposal that could significantly reduce school district costs by an estimated $700 million per year. Like your family, we are always seeking ways to save money while supporting the educational needs of your children. This proposal aims to utilize savings generated from the overfunding of a closed retiree school health care system and reinvest those funds directly into your children’s schools.
Public school districts, unlike any other public or private employer, bear a hidden cost per employee imposed over 12 years ago. This change, dating back to 2012, mandated an additional 21 percent or 21 cents to every dollar an employee earns, effectively imposing a 21 percent “payroll tax” redirected to the state pension fund annually. Part of these funds, around 7 percent, were allocated to fund the retiree health system. With the closed retiree health system now overfunded, and self-sustaining, we have an opportunity to reduce our district’s cost per employee to 14 percent and subsequently keep that money in our schools this fall. This reduction would save $700 million statewide without any new taxes or revenue.
We ask that you help our legislative leaders understand the impact this savings will have on Flat Rock Community Schools and how they can help improve the success of our students and ensure we have a strong school district and community for years to come. If this proposal is enacted, the savings for our school district next year would be approximately $770,000.00 and allow us to spend those dollars on your children.
Provided below is the district Legislators and Governor’s office contact information if you choose to share this important information with our state policy makers. We are grateful for our parents, teachers and community members’ support of our schools and we know that without you our work would be impossible.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter and, as always, GO RAMS!
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
517-335-7858
whitmer@michigan.gov
State Representative Contact information: https://house.mi.gov/#findARepresentativeForm State Senate Contact information: https://senate.michigan.gov/FindYourSenator/
Sincerely,
Melissa Twehues
Flat Rock Community Schools
Board of Education President
Andrew Brodie Ed.S.
Flat Rock Community Schools
Superintendent