LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — During the pandemic, schools across the country got a big boost in funding from the federal government. That money ran out in 2024, leading Michigan State University researchers to study how school districts responded.

The study conducted by the MSU Office of K-12 Outreach looked at 78 school districts across the state. They said while more than 95% felt they were ready "for the cliff", almost the same number said it had a "moderate" to "substantial" impact on their budgets.

Tyler Thur, associate director of data and evaluation with the Office of K-12 Outreach at MSU, says even with a surge in funds from the American Rescue Plan, many districts are unable to use it to get on stable financial ground.

"There's a huge spike in districts that felt positive and felt f

See Full Page