The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is considering an endorsement of a proposed constitutional amendment in Michigan that would increase taxes on those with the highest incomes to support schools.
The Invest in MI Kids proposal, if approved by voters, would place an additional 5% tax on annual taxable income over $1 million for joint filers and over $500,000 for single filers. Speaking at a meeting this week, Benton Harbor Board Trustee Elnora Gavin said this would right a wrong that’s only gotten worse over the years.
“The decline in student achievement has been directly correlative to the decrease in investment in our children, and so there is an opportunity for us to look at the top 1 % earners,” Gavin said.
According to the Invest in MI Kids website, money raised from the extra tax on high incomes would be deposited into the State School Aid Fund and required to be used exclusively on local school district classrooms, career and technical education, reducing class sizes, and recruiting and retaining teachers. Supporters are gathering signatures now to have the measure placed on the November, 2026 ballot.
Board President Dashauna Robinson said trustees will discuss the endorsement further at their next work session.
