Shelby Review

State Rep. Josh Schriver has called for increased support for school safety and mental health programs in Michigan, following a recent shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota. Schriver urged those involved in ongoing state budget negotiations to back measures that would extend funding for these initiatives to all schools, including charter and private institutions.

Schriver emphasized the need for equal protection across educational settings. “This is no time to pick and choose which kids get protection,” Schriver said. “Every student deserves access to critical support, and every school deserves the same ability to improve their buildings and staff school resource officers. The horrific events in Minnesota show how tragedy can strike anywhere and that our country’s mental health issues are incredibly widespread. Catholic school parents deserve the same peace of mind that their children are safe at school.”

In 2023, Michigan reduced its funding for statewide school safety and mental health programming by 92%, with private schools such as Catholic institutions losing all related funding. House Republicans are now advocating for full restoration of this funding so it applies equally to public, charter, and private schools—a point still under discussion among House Republicans, Senate Democrats, and Governor Whitmer.

“Every student deserves to be protected, regardless of their faith or where they attend school,” Schriver said. “The final state budget agreement must offer these critical resources to everyone equally instead of leaving our Catholic families to fend for themselves. That’s simply the right thing do, and it has never been clearer to everyone involved.”