March 11, 2010
The budget bill the House passed Wednesday would pay to replace eight school buildings that are among the state’s most dilapidated, and all are in the districts of Democrats who voted for a crucial revenue measure last week. But seven such schools — in the districts of Republicans who voted against the revenue bill — […]
March 11, 2010
The state governor’s budget plan — dubbed “Fighting for Illinois” — is leaving education officials feeling defeated. Gov. Pat Quinn stepped before the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday and delivered the plan, which calls for the heaviest cuts to come out of the state’s funding for education. According to numbers offered during the noontime speech, […]
March 11, 2010
Southland Public Schools in Minnesota are looking to cut back on school days to save some money. Teachers are doing the research and discussing with parents, the benefits of a four-day week. Superintendent Steve Sallee says they are still looking into the proposal. "The school board was impressed with the presentation and gave us the […]
March 11, 2010
Urging Albany legislative leaders to kill two birds with one stone, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed a 12- cent-a-can tax on “heavily sweetened” sodas and beverages to raise funds to meet budgetary needs while at the same time attacking a major problem plaguing children: obesity. The much-needed funds will close a looming $1.9 billion budget […]
March 11, 2010
Learners with disabilities have a reason to smile after the government launched a policy seeking to enhance their education. Under the new guidelines launched by the Ministry of Education, sign lang uage will be promoted and developed to become an official language at par with Kiswahili and English. This means that the government and other […]
March 10, 2010
Cities and towns still coping with deep cuts to state aid could face even tougher times in the coming fiscal year, as lawmakers discuss reductions of 3 to 5 percent in aid to local schools and municipal operations starting July 1. Although Gov. Deval L. Patrick has proposed no cuts to either Chapter 70 funds […]
March 10, 2010
Gov. Mike Rounds budget director said Tuesday he is still seeking more details about the spending cuts proposed last week by Republican legislative leaders. The proposed cuts could reduce a childhood vaccination program, courses offered by television to rural schools and the state’s economic development efforts, state budget director Jason Dilges said. "We’ve got more […]
March 10, 2010
Good Morning. This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg: Albany has been i n the news a lot in recent days for distressing reasons. In the process, key issues have fallen off State government’s radar screen. But they need to be back on, and now. That includes closing a looming, $1.9 billion gap in funding for health […]
March 10, 2010
Illinois State Senator James A. DeLeo (D-Chicago) has sponsored legislation that will allow special education programs to be funded without taking away needed funds from other programs. "Unfunded mandates have already stretched school district budgets to their breaking point," Senator DeLeo said. "This legislation would allow necessary programs to be funded without taking away from […]
March 10, 2010
In York, the funding is helpful, said Superintendent Henry Scipione. Scipione said the school system, a minimal receiver district getting only 5 percent of its funds from the state, had expected to receive $952,000, but now is getting $1.1 million. The school department will receive $60,000 more in state aid and another $40,000-plus from health […]