Funding Committee Votes out New Formula with Changes - What Happens with Austerity?
The Governor's Education Reform Commission (ERC) Funding Committee voted to pass a new K-12 funding formula on Thursday, Nov. 12. The formula, which was amended slightly in the meeting, moves on to the full ERC for approval.
Several members of the committee proposed changes, most of which were incorporated into the formula. Rep. Tom Dickson, (R-Cohutta), requested that the formula be modified to ensure that schools in low-density areas each receive funding for a principal. Rep. Terry England, (R-Auburn), requested that planned funding cuts to online charter schools be restored and that hold harmless funds, intended to prevent pain in the local school districts slated to lose money under the new funding formula, be extended from two year to three years.
More importantly, England, who also chairs the House Appropriations Committee, requested that state leaders prioritize filling the ongoing K-12 austerity reduction as state funds allow. Gwinnett County Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks added a similar request, proposing a reduced teacher student ratio as funds allow.
Sen. Lindsey Tippins, (R-Marietta) offered a slate of motions, aimed at adding emphasis to math skills in grades 4 & 5. His first motion to add new state monies to fund numeracy failed on a 4-4 vote. His second motion to redirect part of the funding slated for gifted education also failed. Later in the meeting, his recommendation to emphasize 4-5 math through the funding formula passed with language making it subject to available state funding.
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Implications for Teachers & Students
Several members of the committee, including Chair Dr. Chuck Knapp, were clear that they do not intend to cement ongoing austerity cuts. As the GBPI graphic illustrates (below), Georgia's ongoing austerity cut is roughly $500 million. The ERC Funding Committee agreed at its last meeting to add back roughly half of that figure, so discussion today revolved around the other half, roughly a quarter billion dollars.
The issue of austerity is an important one as it is unlikely that local districts will be able to hold class sizes at a reasonable level, increase teacher pay, and roll out reforms proposed be the ERC. That's particularly true for teacher compensation reform without the restoration of the austerity funds. Still, discussion in today's meeting and the amendments proposed by key lawmakers, signal a desire to restore the ongoing cuts in the future.
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Next Steps
The full ERC is expected to vote on the funding formula along with final recommendations from the other four ERC committees at its next meeting on Nov. 19, 2015. Educators and stakeholders should contact the ERC.PAGE will continue to analyze the funding proposal that passed out of the ERC Funding Committee and encourages all parties to do the same.
Materials from today's meeting are available HERE.
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Margaret Ciccarelli - Director of Legislative Affairs
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