Governor Whitmer Visits Kalamazoo Schools, Highlights State Funding for Free Meals and Literacy Initiatives
Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Kalamazoo to serve lunch to students as they returned for the new school year. Her visit aimed to highlight the state's ongoing commitment to funding free school meals and new investments in literacy programs. According to Governor Whitmer, the new state budget allocates a record $10,300 per pupil. This budget also ensures the continuation of free breakfast and lunch for all 1.4 million public school students, a measure estimated to save parents approximately $1,000 per child annually on groceries and reduce morning preparation time. During her visit, Governor Whitmer also met with school officials to discuss the administration's broader efforts in education and literacy, including the 'Pre-K for All' initiative, which she stated saves parents about $14,000 per year and provides a strong start for four-year-olds. Additionally, the state supports before- and after-school and summer school programs to mitigate learning gaps. 
