Midland County School Districts Will Not Apply for 31aa Funds

November 19, 2025

Dear Midland County community,

You may be aware of recent conversations about Section 31aa of the Michigan School Aid Act, a state program that provides grant funding for school safety and student mental health support. We would like to share an important update regarding this grant and what it means for our school communities moving forward.

This year, the Michigan state budget introduced new language that places additional requirements on school districts that accept 31aa funds. These requirements contain ambiguous language that isn’t clearly defined, promote a shift away from prevention-focused funding, potentially expose our districts to legal risk, and remove local control over how school safety decisions are made. We are concerned that accepting Section 31aa funds as currently offered could have detrimental effects on our ability to provide a safe, supportive, and secure environment for our students and staff.

After consulting with legal experts and following careful internal review, the Midland County ESA, the Bullock Creek School District, Coleman Community Schools, Meridian Public Schools, and Midland Public Schools have all decided not to apply for Section 31aa funds this year as they are currently offered. 

Please be assured that this decision was not taken lightly, and it in no way alters our commitment to student safety and mental health. The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities, and we remain fully committed to investing in high-quality prevention programs, counseling services, and safety initiatives. 

This is a complex issue, and we are hopeful that additional clarity and more prevention-focused funding will be provided in the future. We will continue to closely monitor this legislation and will advocate, as always, for policies that truly serve in the best interest of our students, staff, and community. 

We appreciate your trust, understanding, and continued support of our schools.

Sincerely,