The proposed $1.65 billion operating budget for Baltimore County Public Schools includes $56 million for administration, $603 million for instructional salaries and wages, and $209 million for special education. The plan also calls for cutting the number of computers available for K2 students by half.
One of the oldest districts in the nation recently completed its first construction project in 15 years by rebuilding a school to accommodate STEM learning for grades 6 through 12.
Merger activity is on a brief hiatus for a group of Vermont school districts appealing forced consolidations ordered by the Agency of Education and the State Board of Education. The group includes 31 school districts and towns that filed a suit on Dec. 20 challenging the State Board of Education's final reorganization of districts.
School district officials said they will make a new proposal to the teachers union Friday in an effort to avoid a planned strike Monday. The offer reportedly includes additional funding to reduce class sizes and provide more support for teachers.
For three years, the Florida Legislature has told school districts to reduce their property tax rates so their revenue would remain flat as assessed values rose. They made one exception, allowing districts to benefit from the value of new construction. As the state's economy matures into a 10th year of continuous growth, lawmakers might want to reconsider their position.
Gov. Larry Hogan is allocating a percentage of Maryland's casino revenues to an education trust fund for public school systems. But with that extra monies, some local educators are worried about how it will be dispersed to school districts, and whether it will be on top of maintenance of effort or a part of the existing budget.
Sphero launched Specdrums, the STEAM learning brand's first music-focused product. The musical, app-enabled rings empower kids of all ages and skill levels to create and play music by using colors on a variety of surfaces as their instruments.
Over the past decade, New Hampshire school districts have left unspent more than $10 million in federal aid for special education, at a time when many school administrators complain that the crushing costs of special needs programs are challenging local budgets.
What if students could start training for high-demand, high-wage jobs while earning a high school diploma? Would a larger percentage of students find careers faster? Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says "yes." That's why $110 million of his $54.4 billion proposed state operating budget is designated for K12 technical and vocational education. The timing couldn't be more critical.
