More teachers in grades 4-6 and new funding for school security are among the financial needs for Alabama public schools, State Superintendent Eric Mackey told lawmakers on Tuesday.
The budget request for K-12 schools also includes more state funding to teach students who are learning English as a second language and more for school nurses and for transportation.
Overall, K-12 schools are requesting an appropriation of $5.3 billion from the Education Trust Fund in fiscal year 2020, an increase of $295 million over this year. Growth in tax revenues for education, especially income taxes, are expected to make a significant increase possible.