The overall proposed state spending in K-12 for the 2009-2011 biennium is $13.5 billion. The Senate proposed $1.7 billion in cuts to the overall K-12 budget, about an 11% decrease. These cuts are offset by $830 million of federal stimulus funds, which reduce the cuts to $827 million, a 5.5% decrease.
Most of the cuts ($1.4 billion) come out of I-732, I-728 and levy equalization. The Senate spared or minimized cuts in programs related to basic education, differentiated course offerings and dropout prevention.
Reductions
The Senate proposed significant reductions in I-728 and levy equalization spending.
- I-728: A proposed $827 million cut (91%), roughly 5,700 teachers. Reduces I-728 funding to $31 per student.
- Levy Equalization: A proposed $285 million cut, a reduction of 58% for FY 2010 and 2011, including $106 million of federal stimulus funds.
- Learning Improvement Day: A proposed $30 million cut, a reduction of one learning improvement day.
Suspended/Eliminated
The Senate proposed other savings in the suspension or elimination of funds and programs.
- I-732: $358 million suspended.
- The Senate proposed the suspension or elimination of some lower-priority programs, including multi-year pilot, specialized and grant programs. These proposed reductions include:
- Math and science professional development: $53.2 million, eliminated
- Library Allocation: $8 million, eliminated
- K-4 staffing ratio enhancement: $297 million, eliminated
- Building Bridges (drop-out prevention): $5 million, eliminated
Maintained
The Senate maintained funding for certain grant and technical assistance programs in line with differentiated course offerings and dropout prevention.
- All-day K for lowest income schools: $81 million
- Navigation 101: $6.4 million
- Career and technical education in middle and high schools: $7.8 million
