March 24, 2010
A special legislative committee on school finance, concerned about the bleak revenue outlook for public education, indicated Tuesday that it will be open to a wide range of funding ideas as it drafts recommendations for the 2011 Legislature. Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Florence Shapiro, co-chair of the 15-member panel, acknowledged that the funding system is […]
March 24, 2010
Two Illinois homeowners said they will sue the state Wednesday, claiming Illinois’ education funding system discriminates against taxpayers based on where they live. This newest challenge to the controversial funding system alleges the state is shirking its responsibility to properly fund education by relying largely on local property taxes to pay for schools. The lawsuit, […]
March 24, 2010
Dozens of political leaders, superintendents, teachers and parents gathered Tuesday inside the Capitol waving signs and cheering as speakers marched one by one to the podium to plead for financial support for public education. "Now is not the time to pit one education organization against another," Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds said. "Now is the […]
March 23, 2010
Danbury area leaders welcomed the state Supreme Court’s ruling Monday supporting a statewide coalition of town leaders and parents who want to shift school funding to the state and reduce reliance on local property taxes. The Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding sued the state for failure to suitably fund its public schools. The […]
March 23, 2010
State budget cuts are coming, and patrons of the Carthage School District are being asked to help set priorities for potential spending cuts. Because of a shortfall in state revenues, state education officials are telling schools to prepare for cuts in the funding formula for education, including some that will come in the current year, […]
March 23, 2010
It doesn’t take a math geek to know that a state facing a deficit of more than $1 billion has to make cuts somewhere. The students are just trying to make sure those cut aren’t to education. “Education is not a legislative priority in the state of Florida,” said Mindy Gould, president of the Miami-Dade […]
March 23, 2010
With varying levels of student poverty, property taxes rates and local revenues, no two suburban school districts are funded exactly the same way. Years ago, complicated formulas were created in the attempt to equalize resources in rich and poor districts across the state. Those that take in less local revenue, are, in theory, supposed to […]
March 23, 2010
New Jersey Governor Christopher Christie announced a $29.3 billion budget proposal for the state’s upcoming fiscal year on Tuesday, March 16. Aimed at reducing the state’s $10.7 billion deficit, the proposal reduces funding for public education by $820 million and aid for colleges and universities by $175 million, among other cuts. Wilson School professor Richard […]
March 23, 2010
Obviously, this is the biggest news out of Congress this weekend. But, as we’ve mentioned before, a major change to the student lending program is hitching a ride with the health care overhaul. The most important details for K-12 folks are that a) the bill shores up and provides an increase for Pell Grants, which […]
March 23, 2010
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville School Board unanimously approved more than $3.1 million in budget cuts for the next school year Monday night, including cuts of 25 probationary teachers and reduction and re-assignment of seven administrators. A total of 60 staff positions will be eliminated or cut back. "The solutions brought forth tonight are not ones […]