OPINION: Strong schools benefit all of Michigan, not just families with kids

People are often surprised when I say I don’t have children—and they’re even more surprised to learn that despite that reality, my life’s work has been advocating for every child in Michigan to have access to a high-quality public education. As if those two things cannot coexist. Michigan schools have been underfunded for decades, and that long-term lack of investment is showing up in crowded classrooms, staffing shortages, and unequal access to opportunities. That’s why I support the ballot initiative Invest in MI Kids, which will raise over $1 billion a year for our public schools.

Over time, Michigan has shifted toward relying more on restricted funding systems, including federal grants that support specific programs like school safety, enrichment, or technology. These funds are important, but they were never meant to replace strong base funding that keeps classrooms staffed and schools operating day to day. As we’ve seen, federal funding is subject to political tide changes, which makes a strong, stable state investment critical.

It’s easy to understand why parents care about their own children’s education as it shapes their future success in life. But public education is bigger than any single child or family. It’s a shared social good that strengthens every corner of Michigan’s community: economically, socially, and culturally. 

Educated citizens strengthen our democracy. Schools produce future workforces, innovators, and caretakers that our state and country need. Strong schools lead to safer neighborhoods, higher property values, stronger local economies, and a greater sense of community. This idea is not new. Aristotle argued over 2,000 years ago that education shapes the kind of society we become, because children grow into the citizens who ultimately shape our shared future. Public schools are one of the few remaining shared institutions that belong to all of us.

Providing for public education has been a priority since Michigan became a state: It is both a civil right and a cornerstone of our democracy. The impact of strong public schools reaches far beyond any single community. A well-educated population fuels economic growth and stability, reduces long-term social and health costs, and attracts businesses that rely on literate, numerate, and socially-prepared workers. 

Public schools are an investment, not a charity, that pay dividends for generations.

The importance of strong schools is not dependent on having children or benefiting personally; it’s about justice and shared responsibility. Every child deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their zip code, their family income, or their ability. A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. All children are entitled to a free and fair education. That includes students with disabilities, who are often the first to feel the impact of funding loss. 

Michigan’s MiPAAC Special Education Funding Blueprint shows how we can fully fund programs that allow every child to learn and thrive. Supporting public schools is about ensuring a level playing field, giving every student the resources they need, and investing in a future that benefits the entire community. 

Some might ask, “Why should I pay for something I don’t use?” It’s a fair question, but public education has never been about individual consumption. It’s about collective stability and shared prosperity. Context is important because Michigan schools have been underfunded for decades—and it has harmed everyone. Further abandoning public education is not a path forward—it’s a path backward.

We need more investment, not less. Invest in MI Kids is a ballot proposal that would bring in over $1 billion each year for Michigan public schools by placing a modest 5% surcharge on joint filers making over $1 million in income ($500,000 if filing individually). Every dollar raised would be constitutionally protected and dedicated exclusively to classroom use, including hiring and retaining teachers, reducing class sizes, and expanding career and technical education. This surcharge would affect less than 1% of Michigan residents, yet would generate more than $1 billion annually for classrooms across the state.

Investing in public schools is an investment in all of us, and the decisions we make now will shape Michigan for generations. When we invest in schools, we invest in the future we want to build. The question is whether we are willing to act on that belief. Michigan thrives when our schools thrive, and our shared future depends on it.

Related: Education vouchers 101: What are they and how could they impact Michigan’s K-12 students?