Volume 34, No.1
February 8, 2008
Click here for a look at a list of education-related bills.
Governor’s Budget Begins Legislative Journey
As Education Trust Fund Coffers Shrink
Gov. Riley proposed his budget as the legislative session opened with the tricky task of crafting a 2009 education budget. The state’s economy is falling short by an estimated $426 million in the current year, and the state simply can’t sustain current levels of spending. The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates nearly $570 million in cuts will be needed to offset the slowing economy for 2009.
The governor’s budget, H.319/S.280, outlines approximately $400 million in cuts using more optimistic revenue projections than those proffered by legislative officials.
Riley’s ETF Budget: $6.33 billion
A detailed analysis of the budget will be available as the budget moves. Because K-12 students are the least able to absorb cuts, the first proposal may not be as drastic to K-12 as originally feared. Here is a quick look at cuts overall:
- K-12 : -$119 million
- Two-year Schools: -$43 million
- Universities: -$202 million
Increases in K-12 Funding:
- +$10 million - Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI)
- +$10 million - Math, Science & Technology Initiative (AMSTI)
- +$10 million for Distance Learning (ACCESS)
- +$500,000 for High Hopes Program
Level K-12 Funding:
- Other Current Expense (OCE)/ basic operations & support personnel salaries
- School Nurses
- Science-in-Motion Program
Decreases in K-12 Funding:
- -$91 million – Foundation Program
- -$2 million – English as a Second Language
- -$12.7 million – Transportation
- -$1 million – Technology coordinators
- -$2.2 million – At-Risk Program
- -$1 million – Advanced Placement
- -$1.5 million – Preschool Program (Special ed)
- -$1 million – Teacher Mentoring Program
Note: Several new programs such as the School Bus Seat Belt Pilot Program from 2008 were not renewed under the governor’s proposal, but are listed as conditional appropriations should revenues become available.
PEEHIP and retirement increases are embedded within the budget proposal. Support personnel’s salaries and fringe benefits are funded within Other Current Expense (OCE).
The governor’s budget is the traditional starting point for legislative consideration and is eventually substituted by a plan from the House Education Appropriations Committee.
Proration Prevention Account
Saves Schools from 6 Percent Proration in 2008
Fortunately for local schools, the ETF has a safety net in the state’s education Proration Prevention Account, which will keep the state from having to call an estimated 6 percent cut from proration this fiscal year. The savings account has an available balance of $434 million. Once spent, the account does not have to be repaid. That’s good news this year, but grim news next year when the savings are exhausted and projected revenues are not expected to sustain current spending levels. A last resort for 2009 would be for the ETF to borrow against the state’s oil and gas royalties (Rainy Day Fund). However, once the $248 million line of credit is tapped, the ETF must repay that debt in five years.
Uniform School Calendar Effort
Aggressive With Early Action
Even before the legislative session officially opened, H.179 was on the agenda of the House Education Policy Committee that met this week. Fortunately, the committee postponed action on the bill Wednesday and a public hearing is set Feb. 13.
H.179 requires schools to begin on or before the third Monday in August (if there are five Mondays) or on or before the second Monday in August (if there are four Mondays) and to end the Friday before Memorial Day. The bill claims that the prescribed start dates are needed to comply with federal reporting requirements. The bill aims to mandate longer summer seasons to benefit tourism and summer camp industries.
School calendars are the epitome of gathering local input to reflect local needs. Local school boards are charged with setting a school calendar that prioritizes student learning while also balancing the community’s unique needs and preferences.
For those communities where summer camps and tourism needs warrant it, the local school board is able to craft calendars now without imposing restrictions on the rest of the 130-plus local school systems. This flexibility allows the Mobile school system to have its Mardi Gras holiday and Talladega to accommodate the races without impacting the rest of the state’s public school students. The business of helping students succeed academically should drive setting the school year calendar while reflecting local needs.
Local school boards urge lawmakers to OPPOSE H.179 pending in the House Education Policy Committee and S.241 pending in the Senate Education Committee.
Legislative Line-Up Would Force Public Schools
to Open Sports to Home Schoolers
Two bills pending in committee would allow private and home school students to participate in extracurricular activities without being enrolled in local public schools. S.20 by Sen. Hank Erwin, would allow students who are home schooled to participate in extracurricular activities, including sports, music, art and drama. S.20 is pending in the Senate Education Committee.
H.334 by Rep. Barry Mask, would allow home school students to participate in public school athletics, athletic teams and band. The bill also prohibits public schools from membership in any organization/entity that regulates or governs interscholastic activities and discriminates against eligible students in public or non-public schools or home school students. H.334 is pending in the House Education Policy Committee. Urge lawmakers to oppose H.334/S.20.
Annual Property Reappraisals in Crosshairs
Despite Looming Local Fiscal Troubles
As warnings and worries about revenue shortfalls hit local schools and communities, legislation would further hurt locals by ending their ability to collect revenues based on annual property reappraisals. A continuing saga pits the blanket call to end yearly reappraisals for property owners against the reality that Alabama’s property owners pay a pittance – the lowest property tax in the nation. How low? So low that if Alabama’s property tax doubled, the state would keep its rank as having the lowest property tax in the nation.
As Alabama citizens face budget cuts to the most basic of services they receive from federal, state and local government, local school boards urge lawmakers to oppose any legislation that further threatens public services. Local school boards oppose the following bills that prohibit annual reappraisals: H.6; H.140; S.40; S.79; S.103; H.J.R. 9 and S.J.R. 9.
Bills Focus on School Safety
Lawmakers returned to Montgomery with school safety high on their agenda. Local school boards applaud the attention to student safety and want to collaborate with bill sponsors to address the issues to help ease implementation locally.
“The Student Suicide and Violence Prevention Act,” H.90, would direct the state Department of Education to craft a minimum standard policy for adoption by local school boards. Sponsored by Rep. Betty Carol Graham, the bill outlines definitions and procedures to address harassment, violence and suicide prevention. The House Education Appropriations Committee approved H.90.
H.54, sponsored by Rep. Earl Hilliard Jr., would require school boards to have a comprehensive safety plan for each school. The legislation goes beyond local system wide safety plans local school boards have in place to comply with a gubernatorial executive order and the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The House Education Policy Committee will consider the bill Wednesday.
School Nurse Legislation Needed
H.317/S.55 would update obsolete language regarding school nurses and provide authority for school systems to employ licensed practical nurses under the supervision of registered nurses. The current law is badly outdated and conflicts with efforts to keep school systems staffed with nursing professionals for our students. Local school boards urge lawmakers to quickly approve the new language. H.317 is pending in the House Appropriations Committee, and S.55 is pending in the Senate Finance & Taxation Education Committee.
Additional Bills of Interest:
H.83: Would require P.E. weekly minimums of 200 minutes for elementary and 225 minutes for middle/high school students in public and private schools.
H.104: Would require parental consent for 16- or 17-year -olds to terminate school enrollment.
H.212: Would allow parental discretion in placement of twins/multiples in classrooms.
H.251: Would require K-12 schools to employ a dietician in each system and establish nutritional guidelines.
S.21/S.30: Would create school disciplinary systems linked to student eligibility for drivers’ licenses.
S.107: Would require automated defibrillators be placed in each public school.
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School Board Members
As community leaders committed to accomplishing the public’s highest priority – educating our children – share school priorities with your local lawmakers. On funding and policy decisions, local perspective can make a BIG difference.
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27 Days Remain in the Regular Legislative Session.
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