State Rep. Ken Borton today lambasted the Michigan Department of Education for fining local school districts exorbitant amounts of money due to simple clerical errors. The criticism comes after various school officials testified at a School Aid and Department of Education Committee meeting, sharing their stories of how the department has targeted their schools. 

“These fines are absolutely ridiculous,” said Borton (R-Gaylord). “These districts are being fined up to hundreds of thousands of dollars for basic mistakes that anyone could make. The state is launching harassment campaigns on small schools that can’t afford to pay these absurd amounts. If a school district tries to fight these insane charges, they will be paying thousands of dollars more in attorney fees. We can’t allow this to continue.” 

Borton went on to emphasize how the fines are hurting schools and their students. 

“The Michigan Department of Education is taking money from these school districts, and it comes at a heavy price,” Borton said. “Schools are being forced to cut their resources and limit hiring in order to make these payments. The Michigan Department of Education is prioritizing extortion over the education of our children. There is no accountability on their end.” 

With school districts suffering, Borton called for decisive legislative action. 

“This needs to end,” Borton said. “Lansing has to hold the department accountable. The constant attacks on these school districts help no one and only serve to demonstrate the full extent of bureaucratic rot.”