- Establishing bipartisan goals for what schools need to achieve is vital to strengthening Michigan’s education system.
- While federal funding cuts remain a concern, Michigan’s own fiscal budget is stable, and education is still a top priority for legislators.
- Supporting the renewed interest in post-secondary education alternatives can alleviate pressure to the tightening talent pipeline.

Top Takeaways
Where is Michigan’s education system heading, and how is finding common ground essential to getting there? This session, hosted by The Skillman Foundation, illuminated opportunities to strengthen and expand educational opportunities for every Michigan student and bipartisan K-12 education policy efforts.
Common Ground to Overcome Education Downfalls
Introducing Democratic and Republican senators as this session’s panelists, Power noted that this juxtaposition was intentional and necessary.
“Because of the challenges we see in Detroit and [mirrored in] the challenges that we see in the U.P.,” she said. “We understand that working together isn’t a compromise, but it’s necessary, and it’s actually how we move things to the finish lines … Michigan’s education system needs everyone to work in concert, doing what’s best for our children and youth.”
McBroom and Camilleri agreed with this sentiment, with McBroom adding that in addition to this, a vital piece of the solution is to “have more legislators with teaching experience.”
He noted that the nuances of classroom problems are indispensable for education policy versus partisan ideology echoed amongst advocacy organizations, and are all the more divisive and ignore the commonality of the education endgame.
The Uncertain Fate of the Department of Education, Federal Funding
Camilleri shared that Michigan’s fiscal budget is stable, with a surplus within the school aid fund for the state’s education system to weather some of the waves that the Trump administration is dealing out. However, he said now is the time for legislators to identify the improvements and goals of education while “putting down payments into our school pipeline.”
“I’m more focused on long-term policy, on delivering education, and I’m not focused on the budget,” McBroom said. “I’m much more interested in the policy issues and how we make education more stable in Michigan going forward.”
Bolstering the State’s Talent Pipeline
As conversations surrounding dual enrollment, skilled trades, and post-secondary education grow louder, McBroom solidified his support for offering these opportunities to students. He said creating touchpoints early on, allowing students to go outside the classroom to learn about skilled trades or to visit universities, shows that there is hope to bolster the state’s talent pipeline.
“I think it would really help us to simply provide students with those opportunities,” McBroom said.
Camilleri agreed and added that continuing to earmark education funding can support and grow the teacher pipeline necessary for Michigan’s students.
As the conversation concluded, both senators reiterated the need for bipartisanship as communities and legislators work together to improve the state’s education.

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