NEWS

Snyder signs bills for early warning about school finances

Associated Press

LANSING – Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a package of bills he says is designed to give Michigan school districts help more quickly if the state determines they are at risk of a financial emergency.

The Republican governor signed the bills Tuesday, saying in a statement that: "We need to enable school districts to resolve potential financial issues before they become unmanageable." He says the state wants to make sure districts have the resources to educate students.

One bill requires some school districts to submit to the state budget assumptions used when determining its annual budget. Sponsors said the legislation, which could affect hundreds of Michigan schools, is aimed at identifying potential financial stress.

Opponents say the changes would only identify and not fix problems at struggling schools.