CL – 13% ed budget hike unlikely

13% ed budget hike unlikely

State lawmakers will have to come up with an additional $289 million when crafting next year’s budget if they want to meet the basic funding requirements for Mississippi’s 152 school districts.

During the final day of budget hearings in Jackson this week, the Department of Education, which receives more state funding than any other agency, requested a 13 percent increase for the budget year that begins July 1.

Most of the requested increase falls under the Mississippi Adequate Education Program – a formula designed by the state Legislature in 1997 to identify basic needs for the K-12 system.

But even in asking for the funding, education leaders on Thursday conceded they are unlikely to see full funding in fiscal 2013.

Clarion Ledger
9/22/11