Volume 35, No. 1
February 6, 2009
Education Budget Faces Two Fates;
Governor Introduces Take One
Gov. Riley proposed his 2010 budget as the legislative session began. All hopes are pinned on Congressional action regarding the federal economic stimulus package in hopes to avoid drastic cuts to public education and other government services. The Legislature is not expected to address the budget until Congress acts and the impact of the federal dollars can be incorporated into state budget plans. Meanwhile, local school systems prepare to make painful budget cut decisions and brace for what could be nearly $1 billion less for 2010 education if Congress fails to act.
Governor Cuts ETF Budget: $6.35 Billion to $5.62 Billion
Preparing for a worst-case scenario, the governor outlined his recommendation for public education funding in H.418/S.318. The House Education Finance and Appropriations Committee is expected to substitute its version, which may change substantially, when it takes up the budget.
Overall, the governor’s proposal maintains the 2009 split between K-12 and higher education with 68.8 percent to K-12 and 27.5 percent to higher education.
A significant difference for K-12 between what was promised in 2009 and what the governor proposes for 2010 is:
- Other Current Expense cut $109.2 million-
The funding for basic operations & support personnel salaries and fringe benefit costs was cut from $16,824 to $15,809 per unit, a loss of $1,015 per unit.
- Divisors/the formula basis to provide state funding for teachers. All grade divisors are increased by 1.6, which translates to 3,790 FEWER teacher units earned for all grades.
- Grades K-3: 13.8 to 15.4
- Grades 4-6: 21.4 to 23
- Grades 7-8: 20.1 to 21.7
- Grades 9-12: 18 to 19.6
Budget Comparison
The governor based his proposal on a prorated 2009 budget at 9 percent below appropriated levels. A number of factors would change these amounts. Riley has indicated he would release the remaining funds available in the Constitutional
Rainy Day Fund which could increase the baseline. The entire proposal also would change dramatically should the federal stimulus package be enacted.
- K-12 cut $113 million (-2.83%)
- Higher Education cut $56.7 million (-3.53%)
Increases in K-12 Funding:
- Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) increases $5.1 million (+7.98%)
- Alabama Math, Science & Technology Initiative (AMSTI) increases $3.4 million (+9.10%)
- Distance Learning (ACCESS) increases $2 million (+8.77%)
- Office of School Readiness increases $374,812 (+2.37 %)
Decreases in K-12 Funding:
- Foundation Program cut $79 million (-2.42%)
- English as a Second Language cut $483,179 (-10.5%)
- Transportation cut $12.9 million (-4.22%)
- Technology coordinators cut $282,661 (-6.59%)
- School nurses cut $2 million (-6.59%)
- At-Risk Program cut $1.75 million (-6.68%)
- Advanced Placement cut $153,931 (-10.17%)
- Preschool Program (Special ed) cut $136,371 (-6.59%)
- Teacher Mentoring Program cut $1.2 million (-32.54%)
- High Hopes Exit Exam Remediation cut $2.18 million (-46.55%)
- High Hopes Other Grades cut $3.86 million (-45.05%)
- Classroom Instructional Support
- Textbooks: $57.50 to $17.17
- ALL OTHER: $400 per unit to be divided between student materials/supplies, technology, library enhancement, professional development and common purchases.
No Funding:
- Community Service Grants
- Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)
- Head Start Program (earmarked)
- 21st Century After School/Extended Day Programs
- Play by the Rules Program
- Council on Economic Education
- PALS Program
- Principal Leadership Program
- On-line Professional Development
New Senate President Pro Tempore Elected
Sen. Hinton Mitchem Thursday turned in his resignation as the Senate President Pro Tem saying he was honoring his agreement to serve only the first two years of the quadrennium. Sen. Rodger Smitherman will serve the remaining two years after being elected by a vote of 18-12. Sen. Jabo Waggoner was also nominated for the position.
School Board Member Training
Ready for Senate Floor Action
S.220, sponsored by Sen. Ted Little, was favorably reported Thursday from the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability Committee. The bill would require each local board of education to craft a policy to outline orientation and ongoing training requirements.
The bill recognizes local boards’ authority and autonomy. Each board would determine its own approach to training.
Research shows that school board member professional development improves student achievement. The education family – including teachers, superintendents, administrators and the State Department of Education – all support this legislation.
S.220 may be considered on the Senate floor as soon as Tuesday, Feb. 10. The House version, H.182, is sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Oden and may be in the House Education Policy Committee as soon as Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Please urge lawmakers to support S.220/H.182 as a bipartisan, non-controversial bill.
School Start Date Introduced in Senate
No less than three versions of a school start bill were introduced in the Senate the first week of the session. Each approach is unique, but the bottom line would limit when public schools can start and finish the school year. Each bill compromises local decisions to craft the school calendar to make student achievement the highest priority.
S.196 would mandate that no public or private school have regular instructional student days during June, July or the first 10 days of August, unless specifically exempted by the state Superintendent of Education for emergency purposes.
S.199 would mandate that any elementary or secondary school under the jurisdiction of the state Board of Education begin on or after the third Monday in August (in a month with five Mondays) or the second Monday in August (in a month with four Mondays). The school year would have to end before Memorial Day.
S.348 would change the number of required instructional days in a school year from 180 days to a range of at least 165 to 180 days; would maintain the required number of instructional hours at an aggregate of 1,080 instructional hours for use in the computation of Foundation Program allowances to local boards of education; would specify that the last day of the school year be no later than the Friday before Memorial Day and that the first day of the following school year be no earlier than the Monday 12 calendar weeks later.
A Quick Look at Education-Related Bills
www.alabamaschoolboards.org/lobbying.htm
H. 199 would require school boards to have a comprehensive safety plan for each school.
H.211 would repeal annual property reappraisals and limit appraisals to every four years.
H.216 would provide the Student Harassment Prevention Act.
H.226 would require parental consent for 16- or 17-year-olds to terminate school enrollment.
H.248/S.265 would authorize security personnel employed by local boards to carry a firearm under certain conditions.
H.300 would create the “Academic Freedom Act.”
H.348 would require state and education employees to be covered under workers’ compensation law.
S.35/57 would create school disciplinary systems
linked to student eligibility for drivers’ licenses.
S.101 would prohibit/penalize students wearing garments that expose underwear.
S.116 would change special county education tax from a super-majority to majority voter approval requirement (constitutional amendment).
S.184 would update the school nurse law to authorize school systems to employ licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
S.195 would allow any public school to hire a head coach for any sport.
S.262 would have SSA establish and administer professional development program for county and city superintendents.
S.305 would establish “Tim Tebow Act”
HRJ 44/SJR 14 urges public school systems to use 20 percent biodiesel (B20) in all diesel-powered school buses and to retrofit older school buses with exhaust cleaning devices like filters and catalysts in order to reduce diesel emissions. Each approved in respective rules committee in house of origin.
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