Could cell phone restrictions be coming to K-12 public schools in Michigan? Oakland County Representative Mark Tisdel introduced a bill that would do just that.

Could cell phone restrictions be coming to K-12 public schools in Michigan? Oakland County Representative Mark Tisdel introduced a bill that would do just that.

Michigan state house reviews COVID-19 school agreement: What to knowPublished: August 17, 2020, 8:02 amMichigan schools that deem it safe to provide in-person classes during the coronavirus pandemic would have to prioritize the option for K-5 students under legislation that would also largely base districts’ state funding on last year's pupil count to account for enrollment uncertainty in coming weeks.

The bills, which were approved 23-15 and 24-14 by the Senate in a rare Saturday session, reflect a deal announced late Friday by legislative leaders and Gov. The agreement, which does not include state school funding for the state fiscal year that begins in one-and-a-half months, was criticized by superintendents and backed by teacher unions. Many districts, facing pressure from teachers and mixed reaction among parents, are starting with remote-only instruction due to COVID-19. Schools' funding is based on their number of students. Districts also would have to administer a benchmark assessment to K-8 students twice, including once in the first nine weeks.