June 15, 2010
State governments generally try to spare schools from budget cuts. But the recession hit tax revenue so hard that K-12 education is seeing sharp cutbacks in state funding. All major sources of state and local-government revenue—sales taxes, income taxes and prope rty taxes—have fallen. Property taxes are the primary source of school funding, and home […]
June 15, 2010
The Kansas City, Kan., school board agreed on Monday to join a coalition of school districts frustrated with the state’s funding practices. The high-poverty district agreed to recommit to Schools for Fair Funding. Although the organization’s attorneys could not be reached for comment on Monday, they have publicly said that they expected to file a […]
June 14, 2010
The number of special education students in the city is skyrocketing — up by 18,000 this year alone — and the costs of educating them are also rising. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein says next year, to meet state requirements, the city’s special education costs will go up by $140 million. Klein says it’s time for […]
June 14, 2010
Morris County ranks second statewide in the number of projects to be funded by Regular Operating District grants, as announced last week by the Schools Development Authority. The grant funding for schools across New Jersey — totaling a $13.9 million state investment — is ready for release to aid 142 projects at 111 different schools […]
June 14, 2010
School officials will consider budget cuts and staff reductions on Monday, June 14. The Charlotte Board of Education may vote on the 2010-2011 fiscal year budget this week – which includes the reduction of what equates to 13 full-time staff positions. Among the list of cuts is the equivalent of over four full-time teachers, two […]
June 14, 2010
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote soon on federal Medicaid funding that will impact health services in Virginia. The two-year budget approved earlier this year by state lawmakers depends on that federal Medicaid funding–about $430 million for Virginia–to mitigate cuts to Medicaid services. If Congress doesn’t approve the funding, many health services for elderly […]
June 14, 2010
The Somerville school district needs a 2.93 percent budget increase to provide level services in fiscal 2011, which starts July 1, according to Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi. In a presentation to School Committee members on Thursday, Pierantozzi presented the details of his proposed $49.15 million budget, which avoids layoffs through reorganization and attrition (retirements and resignations) […]
June 14, 2010
State officials have about a week to respond to a lawsuit that could force lawmakers and the governor to overhaul California’s school finance system and policies. The suit says the current education financing system is unconstitutional and asks the court to require the establishment of one that provides the proper funding for all of the […]
June 14, 2010
For the fourth straight year, the Arlington school district would operate with a deficit — although a smaller one — according to a preliminary $437 million budget to be presented to the school board tonight. It will be the first time the board gets a detailed look at the 2010-11 budget, which officials say is […]
June 14, 2010
Special education state funding could move to a per-student-based formula instead of a flat percentage if a proposed bill by state lawmakers is adopted. The bill, already approved by the state House Appropriations Committee, would be a financial boon for school districts that have many more special education students than the state guideline set in […]