Bridge Michigan and Gongwer News Service analyzed several years of school bond data and the current ballot proposals. Here are five things to know about school funding efforts this fall.
Isabel Lohman
Isabel Lohman reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan, tracking how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. She has closely reported on literacy, absenteeism and special education. Isabel was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit's 2026 Young Journalist of the Year award. Before joining Bridge, she covered children's issues for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee, reporting on COVID-19 in schools and communities coping with gun violence.
Isabel grew up outside of Chicago and has a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2022.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Central Michigan University taps Augusta University administrator as president
Central Michigan University has picked its new leader at a critical time. The 16th president will start November 1.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Dems OK $125M for Michigan school safety, mental health. GOP wanted more
Facing pressure from school groups ‘appalled’ by what they viewed as a steep cut, Democrats on Wednesday approved additional spending on school safety and student mental health.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Senate Dems OK retiree cost cut for Michigan schools over GOP objections
School groups are applauding the $615 million in yearly savings. Republicans warn of long-term consequences for educator pensions.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
In Michigan, 1 in 3 students miss 18+ days of school a year, data shows
Michigan students are already suffering from pandemic learning losses. High rates of absenteeism make it worse. Rates improved slightly from last year but are still well above 2019.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Trump wants to abolish the Department of Education. Is Michigan ready?
Former President Donald Trump wants to eliminate the US Department of Education. That could affect Michigan school funding, college aid and civil rights protections for students.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan AG charges 11 over U-M protests, counterprotest
Months after police shut down an encampment on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus, State Attorney General Dana Nessel is charging individuals for their alleged actions against police.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
School is back in Michigan. So is COVID-19. What to know
Gone are the mask requirements and long COVID-19 isolation periods. But school leaders say it’s still important to stay home when sick.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
As University of Michigan classes resume, so do pro-Palestinian demonstrations
School is back at the University of Michigan. And so are the pro-Palestinian protests.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
M-STEP results reveal struggles for Michigan kids who began school in COVID
Experts have warned that the pandemic’s effect on learning would last for a long time. Now, Michigan scores show third graders are scoring worse on reading than third graders prior to the pandemic.
