Executive Order 2022-5: Michigan Parents’ Council Michigan Department of Education

Michigan Department of Education

Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. As a mother who sent both of her daughters to public schools, I understand firsthand the importance of family involvement in a child’s education. When parents and schools are close partners, kids thrive. Communities across Michigan have strong formal and informal opportunities for parents, educators, and schools to work together to support kids. Opportunities to continue to engage with parents and families at the state level will help ensure every child receives an excellent education.

This year’s School Aid Act shows what public officials can achieve when they listen to parents. As I have traveled the state, parents’ consistent message has been to invest in education: invest in teachers and support staff; invest in mental health supports; and invest in school safety. With strong parental support, I have done that. This year’s budget marks the highest per-pupil state funding in Michigan history—$9,150 for every child, in every district, to help them learn in-person. It also invests additional resources for the nearly 200,000 special education students and nearly 750,000 at-risk students in Michigan.

Organizing conversations across the state to engage with families throughout the fall will only strengthen the work of state government on behalf of Michigan’s kids. These conversations will guarantee that the voices of parents and families are at the forefront in informing education policy and budget recommendations for Michigan’s next budget cycle.

Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor.

Section 8 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 places each principal department of state government under the supervision of the governor unless otherwise provided.

Section 8 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 obligates the governor to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

Acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, I order the following:

1. Creating the Michigan Parents’ Council

a. The Michigan Parents’ Council (“Council”) is created as an advisory body within the Michigan Department of Education (“Department”).

b. The Council must include:

1. Seven (7) parents, guardians, or family members (“parents”) appointed by the governor representing various communities within the state and reflecting the diverse geographic, economic, racial, cultural, age, gender, and occupational composition of this state.
2. Appointees must include parents with children in early childhood learning programs, elementary, middle, and/or high school.
3. Appointees must represent diverse student experiences, including students with an Individualized Education Plan, who speak English as a second language, and who are in foster or kinship care.
4. The designated representative of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (“state superintendent”) from the Michigan Department of Education.
5. The governor’s K-12 policy advisor, or their designee.
   
   c. A vacancy on the Council must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment or designation.

2. Charge to the Council

a. The Council must act in an advisory capacity to the governor and the state superintendent and must do the following:

1. Convene regional roundtables of parents and family members to strengthen the partnerships between parents and schools and to enhance parents’ ability to support their children’s success. Roundtable discussions will cover, at a minimum, strategies and approaches for combating unfinished learning and supporting children’s mental health.
2. Amplify common themes and ideas presented by parents at regional roundtables to inform the governor’s policy agenda and budget recommendations.
3. Share input and feedback on education proposals and policies presented by the governor or state superintendent, or their representatives, informed by roundtable discussions.
4. Provide other advice and take other action as requested by the governor, or her representative.

b. The Council must submit a report to the governor highlighting major themes from the regional roundtables and summarizing education proposals for potential inclusion in the governor’s budget recommendation by December 9, 2022, or such other time as the governor directs. The Council will dissolve on March 1, 2023, or such other time as the governor directs.

3. Operations of the Council

a. The Department must assist the Council in the performance of its duties and provide personnel to staff the counsel. Any budgeting, procurement, and related management functions must be performed under the direction and supervision of the state superintendent, or his designee.

b. The governor must designate a chairperson of the Council.

c. A majority of the members of the Council constitutes a quorum for the transaction of the business of the Council.

d. The Council must adopt procedures, consistent with this order and applicable law, governing its organization and operations.

e. The Council must meet at the call of its chairperson and as otherwise provided in the procedures adopted by the Council.

f. The Council must comply with the Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442, as amended, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

g. The Council may organize itself to best serve its needs.

h. The Council may, as appropriate, make inquiries, review studies, and receive comments from the public. The Council also may consult with outside experts to perform its duties, including experts in the private sector, organized labor, government agencies, and at institutions of higher education.

i. The Council may hire or retain contractors, sub-contractors, advisors, consultants, and agents, and may make and enter contracts necessary or incidental to the exercise of the powers of the Council and the performance of its duties as the state superintendent deems feasible, advisable, and necessary, consistent with this order and applicable law, rules, and procedures, subject to available funding.

j. The Council may accept donations of labor, services, or other things of value from any public or private agency or person. Any donations must be received and used in accordance with law.

k. Members of the Council must not receive additional compensation for participation on the Council. Members of the Council may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and expenses, consistent with applicable law, rules, and procedures, subject to available funding.

l. Members of the Council must refer all legal, legislative, and media contacts to the Department.

4. Implementation

a. All departments, committees, Council members, or officers of this state must give to the Council, or to its chairperson, any necessary assistance required by the Council, or its chairperson, in the performance of the duties of the Council so far as is compatible with their duties and consistent with this order and applicable law. Free access also must be given to any books, records, or documents in their custody relating to matters within the scope of inquiry, study, or review of the Council, consistent with applicable law.

b. Nothing in this order should be construed to change the organization of the executive branch of state government or the assignment of functions among its units, in a manner requiring the force of law.

c. If any portion of this order is found to be unenforceable, the unenforceable provision will be disregarded and the rest of the order will remain in effect as issued.

d. Executive Order 2011-7, section II(B), is amended as follows: “The Director of the Department of State Police” is hereby replaced with “The Director of the Michigan State Police, or his or her designee”; “The Director of the Department of Human Services, or his or her designee” is hereby replaced with “the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, or his or her designee”; and “The Director of the Department of Community Health, or his or her designee” is deleted.

e. This order is effective upon filing.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the State of Michigan.

Click to view the full PDF of the executive order.