Video Update:  Fewer Tax Receipts May Mean More Cuts in Education

By Linda White
Reporter
Published: January 8, 2009

Teacher layoffs, program cuts, support staff cuts - that’s what’s in store for Alabama school districts if the economy doesn’t turn around soon.

State Superintendent Dr. Joseph Morton said, “It’s perilous times for school funding in Alabama, there’s no question about that.“

At the state board of education meeting this morning in Montgomery, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Morton warned what’s ahead financially in education if the economy continues its slide.

Dr. Morton said, “If they do not improve enough to make the 12.5% be the right call, right now it may be the right call but if it’s gets worse, then obviously proration would be increased, the percentage, we’d have to make more cuts.“

Thanks to the Rainey Day Fund, cuts to local budgets dipped to 9% - but the fund won’t always be around.  Once this budget year is over, the Rainy Day Fund will be no more, even the state superintendent doesn’t know what will happen after that.“

Dr. Morton said, “It’s something a lot of people are spending a lot of time on, myself included.“

Everyone in education is watching this closely - fearful of this -

Dr. Morton said, “I think in all likelihood for whatever mechanism is put in place, the net result be in August, there very likely will be fewer teachers available then there are in May when school ends.“

Dr. Morton hopes it’s through attrition and not layoffs.  State leaders are also hopeful, education may get some help from President-Elect Barack Obama’s stimulus plan.  Whatever comes out of that - may determine what the state does in the future - in regards to the budget.