The regular budget proposal funds increase in K-12 and higher education, including pay increases for K-12 teachers, school support staff, and a bonus for special education teachers. The plan calls for more teachers in the middle grades and more school nurses, too.

Many districts allowed students to switch to clear backpacks, but that's no longer a viable solution, say leaders who are hoping to head off the annual rise in behavioral incidents in the final weeks of school.

District Administration spoke with Superintendent of Portsmouth City Schools Scott Dutey and Assistant Superintendent Josh Morris on what an effective relationship in leadership looks like in order to meet a district's goals.

The numbers are overwhelming, but they reveal progress as more students are taking the appropriate steps to improve their mental health before entering college.