MICHIGAN SCHOOL FINANCE, CONNECTED
Benchmarking built on Michigan's school finance, property tax and state budget records, linked into one verified source.
Michigan Benchmark connects district finances, every local tax levy, the State School Aid budget and community data. Superintendents and CFOs use it to see where their district stands against districts like theirs, and why.
Foundations and policy organizations also commission our work.
Questions connected data can answer
How much of a homeowner's tax bill goes to the schools?
We hold every levy from every taxing authority since 2012, matched to the communities that pay them.
What did Lansing change, and what did the district change?
We hold the State School Aid budget line by line since 1995. State decisions and local decisions can be read apart.
Which districts are your real peers?
We build peer groups on stated criteria and compare them across every year, adjusted for inflation.
What we offer
Pre-Ballot Financial Review
For when you're asking voters for a millage: what critics are likely to say about your finances, what the data shows, and exhibits you can publish.
Community Finance Briefings
Plain-language, sourced explainers on your budget, audit, enrollment and taxes, with graphics ready to publish under your name.
Budget Navigator
How your revenue, spending, staffing and fund balance compare with similar districts and your own history, ready for budget development.
Built to be trusted by the districts it describes.
Every figure traces to a state source and passes documented checks before it is published. When we find an error, we correct the record in public. Districts get context they can use, never a headline at their expense.
Every local tax levy, since 2012
Schools, cities, townships, counties and other authorities.
The State School Aid budget, since 1995
Every line of every enacted act.
Districts matched to their communities
Census, housing and local government data on one map.
Latest research
