State spending on private students up 51 percent in 3 years

The spending, which is projected to grow to nearly $100 million this academic year, is allowed under the state's "share time" arrangement, which provides extra state aid to public schools that enroll nonpublic students part-time in non-core, elective classes.

Craig Thiel, senior research associate with the nonpartisan Citizens Research Council of Michigan, which released the update as a follow-up to a 2014 study, said it is a trend "worthy of notice" as public school enrollment continues to decline.

Brighton, whose unprecedented growth in shared-time enrollment has helped erase a budget deficit, has recruited, hired and deployed instructors to teach in schools far beyond its boundaries, the study found.

[...] Thiel said the nonprofit research organization published the new findings to "add some perspective" amid continued debate over Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers deciding for the first time to spend $2.5 million this fiscal year to assist private schools with the cost of complying with state requirements such as employee background checks, safety drills and required civics courses.