Education chief: House passed budget with some reductions; department will work to restore priorities in the Senate
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Summary
ALSDE staff reported the House passed the state budget and supplementals, noted a reduction in the PHIP match and some cuts to board-priority items; staff said they will work with senators and legislative staff to seek restorations and described supplemental transportation funding and changes to reading/curriculum rollout funding.
At the meeting the agency official briefed the board on the current status of the state budget and supplementals after action in the House.
How the legislature moved: The official said the House had passed the direct budget and supplementals before the board convened, and that legislative spring-break timing will delay Senate action until after legislators return. "The budget came out of committee yesterday and actually passed the house this morning before we got our meeting started," the official said.
Benefits and PHIP match: The presenter said the governor’s recommended 2% pay raise did not pass the House and that the House lowered the PHIP match, which the speaker estimated represents roughly a $40,000,000 decrease. The department said it may use up to 10% of a retiree trust fund (as allowed by law) to offset the shortfall, though staff will continue to work with legislators on solutions.
Transportation and supplemental dollars: The presenter said the supplemental budget included funds for transportation operations and some fleet renewal. The transcript includes two different figures when the speaker described the transportation supplemental (a verbalized "$2,025,000,000" and also a reference to "$25,000,000"); presenters said the supplemental will nevertheless provide significant support for transportation operations and fleet needs. The department will clarify final amounts in subsequent communications.
Cuts to priorities and reading/curriculum items: The presenter noted two board-priority items were reduced or zeroed out in the House supplementals: one was an elementary reading/social studies rollout (the speaker said the beginning cost would be about $7,000,000) that was not included in the House version. The speaker said some legislators want to wait for the next governor before committing multiyear curriculum funds; staff said they will follow up with Senator Orr and other legislators.
Next steps: Staff said they are reviewing budget line items and will work with legislative offices on restorations and adjustments during the Senate process. The board was briefed that staff (named in the meeting: Arthur Watts, Connor, Ethan Taylor and Sonia Peasebeth) are combing the budget and providing recommendations to leadership.
