LANSING, MI – A coalition of 177 school districts across Michigan is urging state lawmakers to scrap a rule in this year’s education budget mandating K-12 leaders waive certain legal protections to access their share of $321 million of mental health and safety funds.

The group, including superintendents from both local and intermediate school districts, issued the call in a letter Thursday, Nov. 20, roughly a week after simultaneous lawsuits were filed in state and federal court about the issue.

Michigan schools can access awards for a host of mental health and safety needs, ranging from hiring psychologists and counselors to security upgrades under section 31aa of the State School Aid Act.

But as part of the 2025-26 state budget adopted in October, leaders in local districts woul

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