Explore

Cincinnati Enquirer

Our children are worth it. But CPS still must make its case | Opinion

Our children are worth it. But CPS still must make its case | Opinion

Opinion: Cincinnati Public Schools must connect its $330 million levy ask to measurable results.

Governor J.B. Pritzker Receives Union Endorsement Amidst Criticism of School Funding Gaps

Governor J.B. Pritzker Receives Union Endorsement Amidst Criticism of School Funding Gaps

Governor J.B. Pritzker has secured the endorsement of the Illinois Education Association (IEA), the state's largest union with over 135,000 members. IEA President Karl Goeke lauded Pritzker's policies, including funding new construction at Illinois community colleges and universities, increasing federal tuition aid eligibility for Illinois students, and ending Illinois voucher programs. This endorsement occurred during a campaign event at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Concurrently, Pritzker criticized President Trump and Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, labeling Bailey an 'existential threat' to public education. However, other teachers' unions, including the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) and the Chicago Teachers Union, have urged Governor Pritzker to convene a special legislative session to address a growing school funding gap, which increased by over $1 billion in one year according to Illinois State Board of Education data. The state's Invest in Kids scholarship tax ...

Bedford County Schools Address Uneven Enrollment and Redistricting Challenges

Bedford County Schools Address Uneven Enrollment and Redistricting Challenges

Bedford County Schools are grappling with uneven student enrollment, leading to overcrowding in some schools and under-capacity issues in others. Superintendent William Dupere confirmed that redistricting is a primary concern for the district. To address this, Bedford County has engaged Demographics Analytics Advisors, a third-party vendor, to analyze attendance zones and school capacities. This vendor is preparing a report for the school board, which will be presented on August 18, followed by further discussion in September. The issue is particularly pronounced in elementary schools within growing areas like Forest. Additionally, the district is managing the impending closure of Stewartsville Elementary School by June 2027, with efforts underway to support affected families and students. The school year also begins with new facilities, including new theaters at Staunton River and Liberty high schools, aimed at enhancing student experiences.

Governor Kemp Suspends Entire Dublin City School Board Amid $20 Million Deficit

Governor Kemp Suspends Entire Dublin City School Board Amid $20 Million Deficit

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has suspended all seven members of the Dublin City School Board following a unanimous recommendation from the Georgia Board of Education. This action comes after the school district faced a significant financial crisis, accumulating an approximate $20 million deficit. The deficit led to the state providing emergency payroll assistance and jeopardized the district's accreditation. In response to the financial woes, the school district had previously implemented cost-cutting measures, including eliminating numerous staff positions and shortening the academic calendar. Governor Kemp's executive order mandates the appointment of a committee to select temporary replacements for the suspended board members. The committee will be chaired by State Board of Education member Matt Donaldson and will include Rep. Matt Hatchett, Sen. Larry Walker, former Dublin Mayor Phil Best, and community member Edwin May.

California Woman Donates $1 Million in Bonuses to 100 Public School Teachers in Marin County

California Woman Donates $1 Million in Bonuses to 100 Public School Teachers in Marin County

One hundred public school teachers in California's Ross Valley School District received an unexpected financial boost when local resident Maja Kristin donated $1 million, providing each educator with a check for $9,161.70. Teachers were called to a meeting without prior knowledge of the purpose, where principals distributed envelopes containing the checks. Kristin's donation was prompted by her discovery of what she termed an 'injustice' in local school funding. Despite Marin County's affluence, the Ross Valley School District ranks in the bottom 4% of California school funding, and its teachers are the lowest paid in the county, according to district officials. Superintendent Tyler Graff confirmed the district's financial challenges.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Criticizes Public School Finances, Proposes Funding Changes

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Criticizes Public School Finances, Proposes Funding Changes

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has publicly criticized the financial management of public schools, asserting that a significant portion of school funding remains 'idle in bank accounts.' This critique follows the release of a 30-page report, commissioned by Stitt through an executive order in March, which investigated public school finances. The report indicates that school districts' carryover funds increased from approximately $2.8 billion in 2019 to $4.5 billion in 2025. Furthermore, 16% of districts reportedly carry over 40% of their revenue to the subsequent fiscal year. The Governor emphasized that Oklahomans expect education dollars to directly benefit students rather than being held in unspent balances. However, educators, such as Principal Kaleb Swboni of Tannehill Public School, have pushed back, arguing that these carryover funds represent responsible budgeting, especially for rural districts that rely heavily on property taxes which are received in specific months.

Indian Prairie School District 204 Reduces Pay for Retired Substitute Teachers Amid Budget Concerns

Indian Prairie School District 204 Reduces Pay for Retired Substitute Teachers Amid Budget Concerns

The Indian Prairie School District 204 board has approved a 35% reduction in pay for retired teachers working as substitutes, a reversal from an earlier decision to increase their rates. This change will decrease the daily pay for retired substitute teachers from $310 to $200. The district had initially approved raises for all substitute teachers, including retirees, to remain competitive with surrounding districts. However, citing significant budget concerns and a projected $5.6 million deficit, the board revisited the rates. The daily pay for regular substitute teachers will remain at $130, and long-term substitutes will still receive $310 per day. The district anticipates this pay cut for retired substitutes will save approximately $400,000 in 2027. School board president Laurie Donahue emphasized the necessity of these savings given the district's financial challenges, which include federal fund cuts, state reimbursement cuts, and increased vendor costs.

The Columbus Dispatch

As CCS' five-year picture slightly improves, tough questions still loom

As CCS' five-year picture slightly improves, tough questions still loom

After $50 million in cuts last year, Columbus City Schools may still faces tough decisions in the future despite revenue growing faster than expenses.

Colorado Education Group ERBOCES Dissolves After Controversies and State Scrutiny

Colorado Education Group ERBOCES Dissolves After Controversies and State Scrutiny

Education reEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Educational Services (ERBOCES), a Colorado education group, is set to dissolve following a unanimous vote by the School District 49 board. This decision comes after 13 years of operation marked by numerous controversies, including the authorization of a 'public Christian school' called Riverstone Academy, which aimed to challenge public funding for religious schools. ERBOCES also faced criticism for its board's ineligibility under state law, invalid contracts, and alleged misspending of state funds. State education officials intensified scrutiny, with Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova urging the group's dissolution and ordering repayment for funds provided to Riverstone Academy. The dissolution process will be phased over the coming school year, with District 49 taking over as the governing body and assuming financial oversight. The executive director, Ken Witt, will no longer lead the organization as of September 15.

Senators Introduce 'Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act' to Repeal Private School Tax Credit

Senators Introduce 'Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act' to Repeal Private School Tax Credit

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), along with 28 other Democratic senators, have introduced the 'Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act.' This legislation aims to repeal the Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) tax credit, which functions as a federal private school voucher program. The SGO tax credit, established by the 2025 budget bill, allows taxpayers to receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes for contributions up to $1,700 to an SGO. These organizations then use the funds to provide scholarships or vouchers for tuition at private schools. Critics, including the National Center for Public Education, warn that this program has no cap and could divert tens of billions of dollars annually towards private school education. The bill's introduction comes amidst a broader debate about funneling public funds to religious and private educational institutions.

Gov. JB Pritzker Questions Chicago Public Schools' $150 Million Funding Request Amid Union Endorsement

Gov. JB Pritzker Questions Chicago Public Schools' $150 Million Funding Request Amid Union Endorsement

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has expressed skepticism regarding Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) request for an additional $150 million in state funding. This comes after Pritzker accepted an endorsement from the Illinois Education Association (IEA), a prominent teachers' union representing educators primarily outside Chicago. The CPS board, under pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), passed a nearly $10 billion budget that includes this unallocated $150 million, aiming to restore positions and prevent classroom cuts. Governor Pritzker indicated that the state does not have readily available funds for such an allocation and emphasized that any additional funding would likely need to be extended to schools statewide, not just Chicago. He highlighted the difficulty of finding three to four times the requested amount without impacting other state budget priorities. The governor's comments underscore a potential conflict ahead of the General Assembly's fall veto session, where the funding push is expec...

Three Maine Communities Consider Withdrawing from RSU 10 School District

Three Maine Communities Consider Withdrawing from RSU 10 School District

Three towns in Maine—Buckfield, Sumner, and Hartford—are currently in the process of considering withdrawal from the RSU 10 school district. This initiative, which began last August, is currently at Step 8 of a 22-step process. This stage involves drafting a formal agreement between the withdrawal committees in each town and the RSU 10 board of directors. The agreement must adhere to state law requirements, covering aspects such as the division of district assets and liabilities, transportation, and staffing needs. While many residents expressed a desire to remain in RSU 10 during a recent public hearing, proponents of withdrawal argue it would grant local control over education and resources, potentially lowering costs. The new district's proposed budget is over $11 million.