Scaling back on Thornton cuts
I'm still trying to get a handle on the specifics, and negotiations in the House/Senate conference committee are still ongoing, but lawmakers in Annapolis are backing down from the most severe cuts the Senate proposed for education. It sounds like they're getting the message that the federal government will withhold the second year of stimulus money from states that slash education spending and try to use the stimulus dollars to make up the difference.
UPDATE: I've learned -- and apparently the legislators in Annapolis have, too -- that the stimulus contains language prohibiting cuts to state education funding formulas after October 2008 if schools are to receive the federal dollars. However, the conference committee is planning to limit inflation increases to 1 percent the year the stimulus runs out, in fiscal 2012, which would prompt cuts at that time.
Categories: Around the Region, Baltimore City
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Comments
Sara, Thanks for the budget updates. Many teachers and other staff have sent dozens of personal letters and emails based on information and addresses shared in the Inside Ed blog.
It may be spring break for nine month employees but many of us are working(volunteering!!!!) over the break.Instuctional materials are being organized and revived, walls are being painted at our own expense, cleaning is being done. On and on. Even some community volunteers are joining us.
So, we may be on break, but we need the news!
Posted by: wise educator | April 7, 2009 12:37 PM
I truly am glad to hear that the sleazeballs are not going to get away with cutting back on the education budget. I've been wondering how they could possibly be allowed to do this.
Posted by: Eve | April 7, 2009 4:55 PM