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For Your Information


Vol. 20, No. 21
November 14, 2008

Click here for past issues of the For Your Information newsletter.

State Board Approves Request for 5 Percent More in K-12 Funding

At Thursday’s K-12 state Board of Education meeting, state Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton acknowledged that proration could be declared in December and that school systems should prepare for a possible deficit in state funding to school systems for November.

State checks to systems in October were partially paid at 75 percent, with the remainder paid earlier this month. The Education Trust Fund is at the whim of sales and income tax revenue. Sales tax receipts in October, which historically aren’t impressive, came in even lower than last October. Some boards of education had to tap reserves, while others shuffled local money or used bank loans as a temporary patch until state funding materialized. The scenario could repeat itself.

“So make preparations to get through November,” Morton said. “We’re in unusual times.”

As much as 2009 has been a budgetary challenge, the economic troubles promise an even more difficult 2010. The state’s education savings account is depleted. Experts predict there won’t be any significant revenue growth or carryover balance to cushion the budget.

Nevertheless, the state Board of Education took action to clearly express K-12’s fiscal needs and the board’s continued support for programs with proven impact on student achievement. The board unanimously approved a Fiscal Year 2010 education budget proposal that includes nearly $363 million — or about 5 percent in increases — for K-12 over the FY09 budget. Much of the money is to restore cuts sustained when the budget was reduced from $6.7 billion for FY08 to $6.3 billion for 2009.

There is also a sizeable bump in proposed funding for the Alabama Reading Initiative, the ACCESS distance learning program and the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative. With an additional $33 million, ARI would target more adolescent readers and offer competitive grants to serve some high school students. There would be about $19 million more for AMSTI, which would expand its reach from 60 percent to 82 percent of the 1,300 eligible schools. About $2 million more for distance learning would mean a boost in the number of half-credit courses offered and students eligible to earn those credits.

In addition, the budget request covers costs for FICA, the Teachers’ Retirement System and the Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan.  There is level funding for arts education, capital purchases, in-service centers, the Board of Adjustment and eye screenings. The proposed budget also includes a $576,647 increase for the Alabama Virtual Library, which was formerly assigned to the Alabama Public Library Service but now falls under the fiscal auspices of the state Department of Education.

The proposed budget includes new funding of $2 million for an Alabama History Education Initiative, $200,000 for the Engineering Academy Initiative and $1 million to pay specialists in autistic education.

The proposed budget will go to the governor for his consideration. The governor will submit his budget request to the state Legislature, which convenes Feb. 3.

Other increases in the state board’s Education Trust Fund request are:

 

  • Advanced placement/dual enrollment, $1 million
  • At-risk Student Program, $1.9 million
  • Career Tech Initiative, $2.5 million
  • Common Purchase Fund, $8.48 million or $175/unit
  • Current units, $17.69 million
  • Dropout prevention pilots, $13 million
  • English as a Second Language, $1.5 million
  • Gifted education, $3.8 million
  • High Hopes, $3.9 million
  • Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, $1.7 million
  • Information Technology (tech coordinators), $1.95 million
  • Instructional support units, $27.34 million
  • Library Enhancement, $6 million or $125/unit
  • Middle school teachers (approx. 370), $22.6 million
  • National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, $1.3 million
  • Other Current Expense (OCE, not including fringe increases), $19.3 million
  • Online professional development, $200,000
  • Preschool special education, $2.3 million
  • Principal leadership and preparation redesign, $1 million
  • Professional development, $4.12 million or $85/unit
  • Rewards for schools, $5.6 million
  • School Bus Seat Belts Pilot Program, $12,380
  • School nurses, $10 million
  • Science in Motion, $3 million (adds physical science)
  • SDE operations and maintenance, $4.8 million
  • Student materials (includes classroom supplies), $10.9 million or $200/unit
  • Substitute pay, $5.3 million
  • Teacher/student testing, $1.99 million
  • Teacher mentoring, $1 million
  • Teacher recruitment/preparation, $2 million
  • Technology, $12.11 million or $250/unit
  • Technology in Motion, $200,000
  • Textbooks, $16.7 million or $22.50/ADM (average daily membership)
  • Transportation (operations), $39 million
  • Transportation (fleet renewal), $11 million or $1,631/per bus
  • 21st Century After School Program, $1.25 million

There is also a requested increase of $493,271 for the award-winning Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates program. Alabama’s program for at-risk students was recognized at Thursday’s state board meeting for achieving the national Jobs for America’s Graduates goals.

Gov. Bob Riley, ex-officio president of the state board, was not present for the meeting but had previously declared Nov. 13 as Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates Day.

In other business Thursday, the state board approved the state textbook committee’s list of recommended textbooks for English language arts and the Bible as literature. The National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools’ The Bible in History and Literature is the second elective course textbook featuring the Bible to make the list. A year ago the board approved recommendations that included the Bible Literacy Project’s The Bible and Its Influence. The choice to use specific texts from the list of recommendations is made locally. 

The board meets once next month on Dec. 11.

 

American Education Week Nov. 16-22

The state Board of Education has proclaimed Nov. 16-22 as American Education Week in Alabama. The state will share the national theme for the 87th annual event: Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility. Schools can download a variety of materials related to the event.

 

Welcome New District Directors

Congratulations to the newly elected directors in AASB's odd-numbered districts. Stephanie Walker of Brewton has been elected District 1 director, will replace Patsy Black. Brett Whitehead of Tuscaloosa County is the new District 7 director and will succeed Susan Harris. Laura Casey will turn over the District 9 director reins to Dr. Shelia Nash-Stevenson of Madison City. Jennifer Parsons of Jefferson County has been re-elected as District 5 director and Troy school board member Roxie Kitchens will be the District 3 director since there was no opposition. Each director’s two-year term will begin at the close of AASB’s convention Dec. 6.

 

Orientation for New Board Members

Relatively new to school board service? Leadership II can help you get your legs under you. A component of AASB’s two-part orientation series for new school board members, Leadership II will provide you training on effective school boards, quality board/superintendent governance teams and board members as advocates. You can still take Leadership II if you have not yet taken Leadership I. Leadership II is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 4. Attendees earn six credit hours in the AASB School Board Member Academy. AASB members pay $100 in advance, and non-members pay $200. Click here to register.

 

Registered for Convention?

Register now for AASB’s annual convention Dec. 4-6 at The Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham. The theme is The Art of Leadership: Create a Better Future for ALL Students. Keynote addresses will be delivered by motivational speaker Erik Wahl, Congressman Artur Davis, former coach Harvey Alston, and state Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton. Registration is now open. AASB’s block at The Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham (800/996-3739, group code 1AT30S) is sold out, though the hotel is keeping a waiting list. Overflow space is available at the nearby Hyatt Place Hoover, 1-888-492-8847 (Group Code G-ALSB).

 

Governing for Student Achievement

School boards play a critical role in setting the expectations that all students can achieve at high levels. Through policy and goals, the board an assure student success. 


In high achieving school systems, boards:

 

  • Work as a team with the administration to create a systemwide focus on student achievement;
  • Engage the community in achieving the system’s educational goals; and
  • Implement best governance practices to ensure that students will succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.

      AASB’s new customized full-board training is based on board leadership demonstrated in high achieving systems.  To find out more, contact LuAnn Bird at 800/562-0601

 

— Denise L. Berkhalter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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