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Recent Editions

Education Slice
National
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has announced that the U.S. Department of Education does not intend to honor any of the deadline extensions to spend COVID aid approved under the Biden administration. In a letter to state education leaders, she explained that “extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion." The decision jeopardizes billions in planned projects across at least 40 states, including HVAC upgrades, tutoring contracts, and mental health programs. As of late February, about $4.4bn of $201.3bn remained in unspent funds from the three federal relief allocations under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund approved by Congress. On Monday Joshua Michael, president of the Maryland State Board of Education, said that up to $418m is now at risk, including $305m that has already been spent and is yet to be reimbursed. The department said states can reapply for limited extensions if they prove the funds address pandemic impact. Elleka Yost, director of advocacy and research for the Association of School Business Officials, notes that school districts still will have to honor their contracts, which could mean cutting other budget areas. “Federal funding has become increasingly unpredictable for districts, making it very difficult for school business professionals to accurately forecast and plan,” she added.
Full Issue
Education Slice
California
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has announced that the U.S. Department of Education does not intend to honor any of the deadline extensions to spend COVID aid approved under the Biden administration. In a letter to state education leaders, she explained that “extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion." The decision jeopardizes billions in planned projects across at least 40 states, including HVAC upgrades, tutoring contracts, and mental health programs. As of late February, about $4.4bn of $201.3bn remained in unspent funds from the three federal relief allocations under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund approved by Congress. On Monday Joshua Michael, president of the Maryland State Board of Education, said that up to $418m is now at risk, including $305m that has already been spent and is yet to be reimbursed. The department said states can reapply for limited extensions if they prove the funds address pandemic impact. Elleka Yost, director of advocacy and research for the Association of School Business Officials, notes that school districts still will have to honor their contracts, which could mean cutting other budget areas. “Federal funding has become increasingly unpredictable for districts, making it very difficult for school business professionals to accurately forecast and plan,” she added.
Full Issue
Education Slice
Texas
The Texas House Public Education Committee is set to discuss significant changes to education funding, including a proposed $1bn cap on education savings accounts and an increase of $395 in the base funding per student. The committee's revisions to Senate Bill 2 aim to address concerns about the potential costs of the voucher program, which could reach nearly $5bn by 2030. The proposed changes would prioritize students exiting public schools and limit funding for wealthier families. As the committee noted, "Current state budget proposals only set aside $1bn for vouchers," raising questions about the program's sustainability. Additionally, House Bill 2 could increase the basic allotment for each student to $6,555, with a focus on salary increases for experienced teachers. These adjustments aim to provide districts with the flexibility to meet their unique needs.
Full Issue
Education Slice
Florida
The Florida House has proposed a $100m allocation to raise salaries for veteran teachers, shifting focus from new hire incentives to experienced educators. The proposed House budget stipulates that the funds would go to teachers with at least two years of full-time experience in Florida public schools. Districts and charter schools would be required to use 0.53% of their Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) base funding for this purpose. The House sets the overall FEFP budget at $11.3bn, significantly more than the Senate’s $8.43bn. The plan also includes $1.25bn to maintain previous teacher salary increases. The Florida Education Association has made raising teacher salaries its top legislative priority, noting that Florida ranks second-lowest in average teacher pay nationally—just over $53,000, compared to the $69,500 U.S. average. While Gov. Ron DeSantis has prioritized starting salaries in recent years, critics argue that veteran teachers have not seen meaningful pay raises.
Full Issue