All articles tagged with #school funding
Wisconsin homeowners are facing the highest property tax increases since 2018, driven by stagnant state support, increased school funding needs, and voter-approved referendums, leading to significant hikes in local taxes and raising concerns about housing affordability.
Jack Ciattarelli advocates for supply-side economic policies in New Jersey, including full funding for special education, creation of new state agencies, and significant budget cuts to reduce the state's structural deficit, positioning himself as a reformer against perceived wasteful spending by opponents.
Alaska lawmakers successfully overrode Gov. Dunleavy's veto of $51 million in education funding during a special session, reversing his cuts to per-student funding increases amid ongoing debates over education reforms and tribal school proposals.
Alaska has neglected its rural school infrastructure for years, leading to unsafe and deteriorating buildings, due to a chronic budget crisis fueled by declining oil revenues and lack of sustainable funding solutions, with recent legislative efforts falling short of the needed investment.
The Trump administration is releasing over $5 billion in withheld funding to public schools, ending weeks of uncertainty and supporting programs like English-language learning, teacher training, and academic enrichment.
The Trump administration announced the release of $5.5 billion in previously frozen federal education funds after facing internal and external pressure, ending a month-long delay that impacted school districts nationwide. The funds, part of nearly $7 billion approved by Congress, include money for teacher training, arts, English learning, and support for migrant children. While the release helps districts plan for the new school year, future funding cuts are anticipated as the administration seeks to reduce costs and overhaul education funding priorities.
The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to proceed with significant layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education, which could impact funding, civil rights protections, and services for students, especially those from low-income families and students with disabilities, as the department's staff is reduced by nearly half.
Nearly 1,500 Chicago Public Schools staff received layoff notices due to enrollment shifts and budget issues, with most expected to find positions elsewhere in the district. This is part of ongoing efforts to address a $734 million deficit, with CPS aiming to balance the budget without further layoffs, though challenges remain.
The Fort Wayne Community Schools superintendent has called on federal officials to release over $4.5 million in frozen federal grants, which are crucial for programs supporting English learners, adult education, and teacher training, as the Trump administration reviews billions in grants, causing uncertainty just before the new school year.
Philadelphia teachers have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if negotiations with the school district do not reach an agreement by August, amid ongoing disputes over working conditions, salaries, and school funding. The union emphasizes the need for better pay, smaller class sizes, and improved resources, while the district faces significant budget shortfalls and funding challenges. Negotiations are ongoing, but the strike authorization marks a significant show of union strength after over two decades.
Texas has signed an $8.5 billion school funding bill, HB 2, marking the largest recent investment in public education, including teacher pay raises, targeted support staff funding, and new approaches to special education funding, with some provisions taking effect in September 2023 and others in 2026-27, aiming to improve educational quality and safety across the state.
In 2025, Texas lawmakers passed significant education legislation including a large private school voucher program, increased public school funding, teacher pay raises, and measures to regulate student discipline, religious activities, and parental control, while failing to eliminate the STAAR standardized test.
At least 150 Chicago Public Schools will lose staff positions next school year despite a new funding formula aimed at equitable resource distribution. The district faces a $391 million deficit and the end of federal COVID relief funds. While some schools will gain staff, others, particularly those with declining enrollment, will see cuts. CPS guarantees jobs elsewhere for affected teachers and aims to support high-needs schools with foundational resources. The new budget formula has received mixed reactions from school leaders.
The New York State Legislature has released budget proposals, with debates over taxing the rich, tenant protections, and school funding. Governor Kathy Hochul's $233 billion spending plan includes investments in mental health care and public safety, but also proposes cuts to education funding and health care. Democrats in the Senate and Assembly are pushing back against some of Hochul's proposals while offering their own solutions for the state's housing crisis and transportation accessibility.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has proposed an $11.7 billion school funding plan, which could increase school aid in the state by $901 million. The plan would result in 422 districts receiving more state aid, while 137 would see a decrease and 15 would see no change. Governor Murphy stated that the budget proposal aims to ensure students receive a high-quality education for lifelong success.