It's been a tough few years for the Lansing school district. Layoffs, declining enrollment, and lack of funding have haunted the urban district. But now, things are looking up.

"We're able to follow through with the very important issues," said Superintendent T.C. Wallace.

At the top of the list? New textbooks for students to the tune of $300,000. The district had originally projected an increase of $96 per student, but the state came through with $98.

"Two dollars has never seemed larger."

That bonus will aid Lansing in rehiring 60 of the 120 teachers and faculty who were laid off in spring. The funding comes early enough to call many of those employees back.

"It was important to us to have as many teachers as possible know how they should plan and what was on tap for them for the next school year."

That's a far cry from last year when state lawmakers didn't finish the budget on time causing a temporary state shutdown. But this year was different as education was a top priority.

"We are investing as a state in what we know is most important for turning our state around," said Democratic Rep. Joan Bauer of Lansing.

Districts will receive anywhere from $56-$112 more this coming year. Richer districts like East Lansing will only get the minimum of $56 but will still be funded close to $1000 more than many schools, including Lansing. It's part of the state's plan to equalize school funding.

"What we are trying to do is really narrow the gap between the lowest funded and the highest funded."