Education
Education

Education panel proposes $258 million more in school spending

FOR A1 BAT February 16, 2015 Atlanta. Gov. Nathan Deal answers questions during a press conference Monday afternoon February 16, 2015 at the State Capitol to talk about winter weather preparations across Georgia. BEN GRAY / BGRAY@AJC.COM
FOR A1 BAT February 16, 2015 Atlanta. Gov. Nathan Deal answers questions during a press conference Monday afternoon February 16, 2015 at the State Capitol to talk about winter weather preparations across Georgia. BEN GRAY / BGRAY@AJC.COM
By Ty Tagami
Nov 12, 2015

A committee working for Gov. Nathan Deal is recommending that the state add $258 million to the educational budget as part of a new formula for distributing money to school districts.

The proposal agreed upon Thursday by eight of the governor’s volunteers now goes to the more than 30 members of the full Education Reform Commission for a vote on Nov. 19.

Critics contend that if the amount of new money, up from $241 million when the committee met last in October, is formalized in a new funding formula, it will lock in shortfalls of about a quarter billion dollars. The $8 billion state educational budget is shorting schools about half a billion dollars this year, according to the formula in use since 1985.

Read more about the proposal and reactions here.

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Board members listen during an Atlanta School Board meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. APS held its first vote on school consolidation plans. (Abbey Cutrer / AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Declining enrollment and rising costs led APS officials to develop a plan that would “repurpose” 16 school buildings. A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

Atlantans speak out about plans to reshape the city’s school system

Gwinnett superintendent search marks pivotal point for school district

Gwinnett, like many Georgia school districts, is facing challenges in academic performance, school safety, retaining staff and the role of diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Latest

Board members listen during an Atlanta School Board meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. APS held its first vote on school consolidation plans. (Abbey Cutrer / AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Atlantans speak out about plans to reshape the city’s school system

Gwinnett superintendent search marks pivotal point for school district

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.