Budget analysis: A billion dollar hole in state education funding next year. Start digging.
The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute just issued a bleak report on school funding prospects for next year, noting that the governor’s proposed budget for K-12 education has a $1 billion hole in it. (It is an improvement over last year when the hole was $1.1 billion.)
What’s often confusing to readers — and gives cover to lawmakers — is that school funding will increase by $205 million. But the institute’s Claire Suggs, senior education policy analyst, notes that more than 60 percent of those additional dollars are dedicated to funding enrollment growth and normal salary adjustments for teachers.
She says, “These dollars are critical to ensuring that the state’s investment in its students does not slip much further.”
Suggs warns: “Georgia’s education funding has deteriorated for years. If lawmakers accept the 2014 budget proposal, state funding through QBE, QBE equalization, and other programs will be well below the 2009 level.”
Here is an excerpt of the report. Please read the full report before commenting:
Georgia continues to shortchange its K-12 students. The Quality Basic Education program, the primary mechanism for distributing state money to local school districts, is underfunded by $1 billion in the governor’s budget for the 2014 fiscal year. While the proposed budget would increase total funding over last year, the extra money primarily covers the added cost of more school children and a salary adjustment for teachers’ training and experience. For districts and schools across the state there will be little relief from larger class sizes, shorter school calendars and teacher furlough days.
The outlook is better for pre-kindergarten education. The governor plans to raise funding for Pre-K to increase the number of school days from 170 to 180. Still, funding for Pre-K would remain below 2009 levels.
Georgia has an ambitious goal of increasing the number of students who complete a postsecondary certificate or degree program by 250,000 by the year 2020. This will require many more students who finish high school and many more fully prepared for postsecondary study when they leave the school system. The Georgia Department of Education is moving ahead with new strategies that place higher expectations on teachers and students to meet this goal.
Yet the state consistently underfunds its schools and is cutting programs in areas like science and technology that encourage students to go into those high-demand fields. Georgia cannot build the workforce it needs to spur economic growth and create more jobs if it does not invest adequate resources in its students.
The governor’s amended budget for the 2013 fiscal year, which ends June 30th, increases funding for K-12 by $154 million, mostly to account for enrollment growth. Most other education programs will absorb significant cuts during the remainder of the current fiscal year, including
• Agricultural education ($229,515)
• Nutrition ($1,647,230)
• Regional Education Service Agencies ($205,995)
• School Improvement ($93,579)
• Technology/Career Education ($421,775)Though QBE remains significantly underfunded, the governor’s budget year that begins July 1, 2013, does take a small step forward. In it the governor calls for full funding of the QBE equalization program, which provides funds to districts whose low tax digest limits how much local money can be raised through local property taxes. His budget also adopts several of the recommendations of the State Education Finance Study Commission: increased funding for professional development; school nurses and instructional technology.
Much of this funding is not new, however. It is redirected from other areas. He also proposes increased funding to enhance the state’s technology infrastructure, a step to give teachers, principals, district staff and parents the information they need to help students learn more. In most of cases, however, he provides less funding than the commission recommends.
Next year’s proposed budget also adds $12.9 million to the Pre-K education. This will bring the Pre-K school year back to 180 days after having been reduced in previous years due to budget cuts. That also would restore teachers’ salaries, which have been reduced as a result of fewer school days.
In addition, the governor’s budget does not reflect the growing expectations of students and educators, most notably with the implementation of the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards, new tests tied to the Common Core and new evaluation systems for teachers. Implementing these effectively will require additional support and resources for student and educators.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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73 comments Add your comment
Teacher, Too
February 6th, 2013
11:01 am
I know I’m going to get raked over the coals for this, but why not in years (like this one), when there are excess funds from the lottery, those are not distributed to the counties instead of giving HOPE students a 3% increase in funding?
I totally understand that college is expensive, but there are many lower-cost colleges and universities, such as Kennesaw, that students can attend.
Our k-12 students need to have their educations funded also.
I am NOT suggesting that the lottery REPLACE existing funding or future funding. Rather, surplus amounts should be used to offset the state funding cuts.
Brasstown
February 6th, 2013
11:11 am
Milton,
If we need to build a bridge, we’ll give you a call. Otherwise, we’ve heard your opinion over and over on a subject in which you have no particular expertise. Neil Boortz retired. Join him.
clem
February 6th, 2013
11:16 am
hey milton, why do you seem to belong to a party that does not believe in science? you know the stupid party?
Big Daddy D
February 6th, 2013
11:18 am
Here is a idea….Nowdays principals of elementary schools are administrators very rare are they in a class observing or otherwise…Let’s make that principal oversee 4 elementary schools (middle and high schools still have a premanent pricipal per school) average salary $85,000 savings of $255 K per 4 elementary schools. We could ad a half time asst. principal per elementary school approximate cost $30K to pick up the rare teaching and learning support a current principal provides for a net gain of $135k per 4 schools. Approximately 1224 elementary schools in GA, for a savings of $123,930,000… WOW!
Southern Education Desk – Wednesday Reading List: Education News From Around The South
February 6th, 2013
11:19 am
[...] Georgia Governor Nathan Deal’s budget would under fund Georgia education by $1 billion, says Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. (AJC) [...]
catlady
February 6th, 2013
11:26 am
Cobb guy, that wasn’t county comissioners. It was on the ballot and approved by voters. I hope I live long enough to benefit from it, but it is looking less and less likely that I will see it, Social Security, or Medicare.
jj
February 6th, 2013
11:41 am
With one half of the total staff in every school doing something besides the 3 R’s we will always have a funding problem. The world has changed dramatically from the 60’s and 70’s where special ed and remedial were segregated. Today’s schools are expected to be the teachers, parents, counselors and anything else the parent of today can push off to someone else; this way they have someone to blame when Bobby or Suzie fail. The day of “we’re all special” and “what about my self esteem” and “where’s my trophy” is upon us and it doesn’t look very pretty, does it?
Thank God for teachers, I have no idea how you put up with you do. Thank you!!!
Ray
February 6th, 2013
12:01 pm
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Most of the people on here that complain that public education is a bad thing or something that doesn’t work, or that public school teachers are over-paid, are people who either didn’t do very well in school, or went to private school.
RJ
February 6th, 2013
12:16 pm
@Milton Man, is appears that the only reason you come to this blog is to bash teachers. My degree is not in education. My school didn’t even offer music education. I took the education courses at GSU. My degree was far from easy, and there was no grade inflation. I worked my arse off for the degree. If you hate teachers as much as you appear to, please homeschool. That way, you don’t have anyone to complain about but yourself.
The furlough days have gotten ridiculous. We’ve had no raises in 6 years, yet the workload has increased. I started the year off with materials that I purchased. All I’ve received is a case of paper. All I’m ever told is how grateful I should be to have a job. I didn’t get into this for the money, however I do expect to be compensated for my work. This isn’t volunteer work, it’s a career. I wonder who will be left to teach my youngest in a few years. So many are leaving this profession.
Private Citizen
February 6th, 2013
1:36 pm
RJ, “A case of paper” about $30. at Sam’s Club, for when you run out. What are you planning on printing on that paper with? The one teacher accessible copying machine for 900 students in your building? Better hope the auto-stapler and duplexer works. And best do your photocopying days before hand, as these machines are prone to breaking down under constant use by different people.
The best thing about teaching with books is getting the haughty work review from a “pro” who enjoys their evenings and nice weekends, too. Well, at least more than you do. But they got to make a little of the up / down suggestions on the work review. Formula, baby. And if conditions change, it will have very little to do with your actual work. Let us not forget, in an environment of many laws, everyone is guilt of something. For what reason might your number get called? Of course, certain persons who are comfortable applying themselves as “friendly with the system” needn’t have these concerns, as they have an extra wedding band on their finger that says “Board of Education” and have sweet-heart discussions about “how long have you been with the board?” Twisted stuff. It’ll make your head turn cold, like you stepped into a cult, or something.
Private Citizen
February 6th, 2013
1:37 pm
typo “The best thing about teaching without books”
What's Best for Kids?
February 6th, 2013
4:01 pm
And while our benefits are dwindling and our pay has been frozen, we have the HR guys in Fulton County running around to our faculty meetings comparing teachers to “Pintos” and themselves to “Mercedes”. Way to boost morale, central office.
What's Best for Kids?
February 6th, 2013
4:01 pm
I wonder how many private companies run around telling their employees that they are all a bunch of horrible heaps of junk?
dr
February 6th, 2013
4:53 pm
Another example of Georgia’s legislature’s race to the bottom, in school, health and infrastructure funding. Who is thinking of the future in GA government??!
Mary Sue
February 6th, 2013
4:58 pm
Henry county teachers will be getting 5 furlough days next year, and our school year will be cut to 175 days.
dr
February 6th, 2013
5:03 pm
and if that’s the case, NO WAY Falcons should get a new stadium on the public dole!
Mary Sue
February 6th, 2013
5:15 pm
BTW Milton Man – My degree is in what I teach – English with a dual concentration in writing and literature, and I had enough hours in my minor – History – to have a dual degree had it been offered. I received my degree from a major university, and then attended a highly respected private university to get my teaching certification. My parents paid for my undergraduate degree, and I paid 100% for my graduate degree. Please stop speaking of that which you have precious little knowledge.
Point/Counterpoint
February 6th, 2013
7:15 pm
We should stop omplaining and let Governor Deal know he will not be re-elected.. We should start looking for a candidate that cares about education in Georgia. We are a large voting block and can make things happen. Remember Roy Barnes?
KIM
February 6th, 2013
7:24 pm
School have been cutting the fat since 2003, with the last several years including furlough days. How in the world can they do more? @Understanding Atlanta: You do not understand.
Private Citizen
February 6th, 2013
7:41 pm
What’s Best for Kids?, Maybe tell them that they have no business insulting Mercedes Benz.
It is pretty loony if someone is doing that. For so many reasons, one of them being materialism, this does not show good management or leadership and the same should tell whoever is speaking in this way to stop. It also sounds like they are completely out of touch with mission. Next time this person does this, immediately ask them the meaning of the three point star and keep a straight face and demand that they answer the question. Do it loud and proud at a public meaning the next time they pull this stunt. (the answer is land / sea / air).
Dc
February 6th, 2013
9:33 pm
@larry…..and we got better performance as well with cars etc. re our public Ed system…..no improvement on student performance at all. But we need MORE MONEY!
Private Citizen
February 7th, 2013
5:41 am
Tell the Fulton County person to hire Mercedes Benz management in Germany to write a technical paper telling them how to run a school system.
Ole Guy
February 8th, 2013
2:39 am
You know, people…ole Milton Man may be “insinuating” a few harsh thoughts, but let’s not go beating up on the guy just yet. Many teachers out there…understandably…take issue with the ole Milty’s low-gpa remarks, but let’s be (if possible) just a little objective on this particular issue. Now I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I’ve somehow managed, over a few checkered careers both in the military and in the commercial sectors, to assemble a few degrees, of varying levels, in both business fields, and aero engineering. My last degree, in education was, perhaps (no, make that WAS)…academically, extremely challenging to the absolute minimum…in terms of actually having to apply concept to reality. Not to shortchange the typical coursework in the pursuit of the degree in education, there was much in the way of creativity, but (let’s face it)…NOTHING comes close to some of the hard-nosed engineering courses…nor the application of economic principles…nor diving into the maze of accounting minituae. Too much…FAR too much of the education course work delved into (at least in my generational context) the “warm an’fuzzies” of why todays’ kids are (somehow) that different from their counterparts of earlier generations…why, instead of kids having to understand the world about; having to adjust their behaviors and expectations…the world needs to come to an abrupt halt while we strive to understand the little johnnys and what tickles their tummys.
Quite frankly, ole Milt…while expressing some rather unsavory thoughts which may frazzle the sensibilities of educators…just may have a valid point or two. In just about all my engineering coursework, and probably the vast bulk of my business studies, one had gd best maintain more than (a hulluvalot more than) a two-oh average, lest one finds oneself in a world of _hit.
Many of you…Future Gov, etc…may find yourselves…insulted…however, if you “drop the shield” for just a moment, you may come to realize that much of your insecurities just may be of your own design. Years and years and years of allowing yourselves to be pushed around…push around by parents; pushed around by your keepers (who you have allowed to assume such roles); pushed around by the very people…your students…who you portend to care about.
Look, I learned to fly helicopters before I could (legally) buy a beer. My peers all came from different backgrounds, both socio-economic and academic, but everyone had to meet a common set of standards. Those who taught the “skills of the trade” were mercilessly demanding and offered absolutely no latitude. AND MANY OF US WERE BARELY OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. We had no one to blame for our difficulties; no one to “rub our tummys” in times of duress.
So howbout we stop with this “how dare you insult me” stuff and just suck it up, take the crap and do what ya gotta do…or is that too hard?