A new study shows it would take $22.8 billion to bring all public schools in Michigan in line with common standards of health, safety, and wellness.

The study was conducted from May 2023 through December 2024 by the School Finance Research Foundation and released on Thursday.

The estimate would bring Michigan public school buildings to common standards through the year 2033.

“This amount represents a figure above and beyond what local school districts are currently spending on infrastructure projects themselves through local bonds and millages,” the report said.

By comparison, a 2022 facility assessment study in California revealed a significant funding gap of at least $7.4 billion annually for capital needs and maintenance across the state’s 11,300 public schools.

“Students deserve to learn in schools that ensure basic health and wellness standards are met,” Oakland ISD Superintendent Ken Gutman said during a virtual press conference after the study was released. “The foundation’s facility assessment tells us we are a long way from school meeting those basic standards.”

Charter schools were not a part of the study and costs for public school athletic facilities, transportation, administration and play grounds were not included. The study also did not cover buildings solely dedicated to preschool and adult education.

Collecting the data necessary for this study, the first ever conducted in Michigan, involved over 1,500 individuals from 33 engineering firms spending a collective 95,000 hours to assess the state of 243 million square feet of space in 552 districts across Michigan.

Of the repair investments in Michigan, 23.3% ($5.3 billion) are needed in the next three years, 30.5% ($6.9 billion) are needed in the next four to six years, and 46.2% ($10.5 billion) are needed within the next seven to nine years.

The top three areas for repair investments were HVAC systems — $7.5 billion, roofing — $3.4 billion and electrical — $2.8 billion.

“Every building we walked through, regardless of its age, had some level of need,” said Foundation Executive Director Steve Ezikian.

According to the study, while many states provide dedicated funding for school capital projects, Michigan does not.

Capital expenditures are an allowable use of School Aid Fund dollars provided to districts by the state; however, those funds are primarily used and prioritized for providing instruction and day-to-day operational costs.

In the last 20 years, 17 states (34%) have undertaken comprehensive facility studies to understand the capital needs of their school districts and subsequently devised plans to address those needs.

“What we are asking and hopeful for is that this data will now be used to look at what is needed to appropriately, adequately and equitably fund our education system in Michigan, “ said Wayne RESA Superintendent Davida Colbert.

“It is $22 billion now, but every day we don’t do something that cost goes up,” said Gutman.