State Rep. Rylee Linting this week voted for increased funding for Downriver area schools as part of a House K-12 state education budget plan that will help kids thrive in the classroom.

The budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 increases per-pupil funding to $12,000 – up from the current per-pupil amount of $9,608. This increased funding of over $2,000 per student was possible through careful, responsible budgeting that removes bureaucratic red tape, burdensome program requirements and other restrictions to get more money into schools.

Local increases within Linting’s House District in Wayne County include:

• $6,123,415 for Gibraltar School District
• $1,681,482 for Grosse Ile Township Schools
• $5,241,194 for Riverview Community School District
• $6,973,369 for Southgate Community School District
• $4,110,523 for Trenton Public Schools
• $6,341,830 for the School District of the City of Wyandotte

“One of my top priorities when I came to Lansing to serve as a voice for our communities was to make sure our students and schools are supported,” said Linting, of Grosse Ile Township. “This record funding will give our next generation the tools they need to prepare for their futures while empowering educators and local administrators.

“This plan understands challenges some schools face are different than those faced by other schools. It gives them the resources and flexibility to make desired changes instead of having Lansing decide how dollars get spent. Every district receiving this funding will be able to put it to use where they feel it can be used best – whether it’s for mental health resources, school safety improvements, better transportation, after-school programs or lunch options for students. This flexibility will deliver better results for districts, students and parents.”

The proposal also includes a $314.5 million grant program for schools looking to reduce class size, implement reading measures to improve outcomes, consolidate school buildings, and infrastructure projects.

The budget plan now moves to the Senate for consideration.