Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — As the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives continue negotiating the state budget, school districts local to Jackson and across the state are currently left hanging without the passing of an education funding budget.

Northwest Community Schools Superintendent Geoff Bontrager says that some districts were already reeling from last year’s lack of increase in per pupil funding, resulting in greater problems now.

JPS Superintendent Jeremy Patterson mentioned how their lack of knowledge of what funding they will receive is making it difficult to conduct business.

State Representative Kathy Schmaltz has been critical of the Senate’s approach of only wanting to pass the state budget in full rather than in chunks, saying the school budget is too important to left alone in the meantime.

State Senator Sue Shink says that conversations between the two Education Committee Chairs are taking place, but she has her doubts about the negotiation process should the budget be passed piece by piece.

The Senate has not passed a version of what they would want the state education funding budget to look like.

State Rep. Sarah Lightner highlighted that the version passed by the House would allow districts to have more flexibility with their funding.

Recently, the Michigan Center School District announced that their free meal program would only be guaranteed for every student until October 2nd due to the delay impacting the Michigan School Meals Program, which allows the district to provide food to their students for free.