- Candidates for governor debated how to turn around Michigan schools in a forum hosted by the Michigan Education Association
- Democrats vowed to keep immigration enforcement agents out of schools, the lone Republican called the question a ‘sideshow’
- Candidates also discussed universal school meals, Mississippi policies and overall school funding
DETROIT — Some sparks flew here Friday in an education-focused gubernatorial forum, as candidates seeking Michigan’s top elected office offered divergent views on immigration enforcement in schools, universal free student meals and teacher pay.
At the event hosted by the Michigan Education Association teachers’ union, Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she would use “every tool in her toolbox” to prevent federal immigration authorities from entering Michigan schools.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who is running against Benson in the Democratic primary, said “schools are off limits” for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with places of worship.
The lone Republican on the stage, former Attorney General Mike Cox, called an audience question about federal immigration enforcement a “sideshow” and didn’t commit to any action on the issue.
“What does Donald Trump have to do with student performance in your classroom? Not much,” Cox said, to which the crowd responded with some cries of disagreement. He argued “your real beef is with the governor” on Michigan’s educational struggles.
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The debate unfolded amid a mass deportation campaign by the Trump administration. After arrests last week in Ypsilanti, ICE said it is not targeting Michigan schools or bus stops.
But immigration rights advocates have been raising alarms after the administration revoked a “sensitive locations” memo that had long prevented ICE enforcement actions near schools, including parking lots and lobbies.
Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who left the Democratic Party to run for governor as an independent, has faced criticism from some activists for not taking a stronger stance on Trump’s deportation campaign.
Detroit police don’t ask people their immigration status, he said, referring back to policies when he was mayor.
“There’s a high degree of trust between our immigrant community and our police department,” but also clarified that Detroit isn’t a sanctuary city and turns over undocumented immigrants arrested for violent crimes if federal authorities request a detainer.
“We’ve done everything we can to protect our residents from ICE,” Duggan said.
The union crowd reacted strongly to the immigration question and others. The MEA is traditionally a major donor to Democrats, meaning it was unlikely territory for Cox, and to some extent Duggan.
“You’re probably wondering, ‘how does a Republican wander in here?’” Cox said. “I know I’m not going to be endorsed by the MEA. … But you represent so many other teachers, families, communities and I want to talk about education. That’s why I’m here.”
US Rep. John James, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt had been invited to the forum as well, MEA officials told Bridge Michigan. They did not attend.
Teacher pay and the Mississippi model
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Despite increased funding, staffing and new laws passed by the state Legislature, Michigan K-12 schools are falling behind. Michigan 4th and 8th graders rank in the bottom half of all states for reading and math proficiency, according to National Assessment of Educational Progress scores.
Cox drew murmurs when he said Michigan should follow the “Mississippi model,” referencing a conservative state that has improved its school performance while embracing some policies that Michigan Democrats have abandoned, like holding back third-graders who can’t read.
Swanson drew quick applause when he told the roughly 1,000 attendees, “I’m not interested in a Mississippi model. I’m interested in a Michigan model.”
Pay for teachers was a major focus in the forum. Michigan has some of the lowest starting teacher salaries in the nation — 44th among US states at $41,645 — but ranks 19th in average teacher pay.
Benson said starting pay for every teacher in Michigan should be at least $60,000. Swanson concurred, but Cox offered no such promises.
“When we’re 48th in 4th grade reading, it’s hard to tell people of Michigan that you need more money,” Cox said, and said he would fight for more accountability from local school administrators.
“Money isn’t the answer to everything,” he added.
Free meals and School Aid Fund diversions
All candidates at the forum said they wanted to maintain some measure of free breakfast and lunch for Michigan’s school children. Duggan offered a simple “yes” when asked if that funding would continue, while Benson said she also wanted to provide more “wraparound supports” for children.
Cox, on the other hand, said the state should not give free meals to the children of “rich people” — using himself and fellow candidates on stage as examples of families who shouldn’t qualify.
Free breakfast and lunch for affluent families “means less money for children who need it,” he said. “I’m not here pitching you a bunch of BS,” Cox added. “I’m here telling you as it is, that we can all do better.”
Under Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan has offered free school meals to all kids, regardless of parental income, which advocates say can reduce stigma that might otherwise deter lower-income kids from eating. The state will spend $202 million on the initiative this year.
Swanson, Benson and Duggan all agreed public schools need more mental health services.
Duggan returned to his stump speech, and financial turnarounds during his tenure leading Detroit and the city’s medical center.
The former mayor of Detroit has already published an education plan for his campaign, and is planning a public event in Grand Rapids next week to gather feedback from educators on the proposal, which includes a promise to fire administrators of underperforming schools
Benson has not yet unveiled a full proposal but said she wants to end “one-size-fits-all funding” by providing money to schools based on their unique needs.
Duggan took aim at Proposal A, a 1992 constitutional amendment that has fundamentally changed the way schools were funded in Michigan. He blamed both parties for using the School Aid Fund for purposes beyond K-12 schools.
Michigan will spend about $1.3 billion in School Aid Fund revenue on community colleges and universities this year. That diversion started during the Great Recession under then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm and continued with Gov. Rick Snyder and Whitmer.
“We’re going to put the money back into the K-12 system,” Duggan said.
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