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

Georgia Tech graduates celebrate during spring commencement in May, and the school's growing enrollment helped contribute to the University System of Georgia recording record highs for degrees conferred this fiscal year. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia’s public universities hit record high for graduates

The University System of Georgia is also expected to set another record for enrollment when numbers are announced in November.

1h ago

State gives cash-strapped Georgia school system ‘unprecedented’ $1.45M advance

Dublin City Schools is trying to come up with millions of dollars to cover unpaid state health benefits and cover a looming budget deficit.

DeKalb Schools chief resigns after indictment on financial crime charges

Devon Horton was indicted this month and accused of accepting kickbacks in his former job as a school superintendent in Illinois.

The Latest

Georgia Tech graduates celebrate during spring commencement in May, and the school's growing enrollment helped contribute to the University System of Georgia recording record highs for degrees conferred this fiscal year. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia’s public universities hit record high for graduates

1h ago

State gives cash-strapped Georgia school system ‘unprecedented’ $1.45M advance

DeKalb Schools chief resigns after indictment on financial crime charges

Featured

Corbin Spencer, right, field director of New Georgia Project and volunteer Rodney King, left, help Rueke Uyunwa register to vote. The influential group is shutting down after more than a decade. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2017)

Credit: Hyosub Shin

EXCLUSIVE

New Georgia Project shuts down, ending a decade of political influence in state

Founded in 2013, the organization was credited with registering tens of thousands of left-leaning voters who helped turn Georgia into a political battleground.

In TV ad blitz, ICE makes a play for Atlanta police officers

ICE spent more money on its recruitment campaign in Atlanta this month than in any other city.

Street vendors fear being sidelined by Atlanta’s World Cup permit freeze

Permits for street vendors and community gatherings are on pause downtown during FIFA activities under Mayor Dickens’ executive order issued last month.