What do Budget Cuts Mean for Students and Schools?

The Joint Finance Committee has already made and continues to face difficult decisions this year—especially as revenue projections trend downward and significant gaps remain in our state budget. Some of these decisions involved education funds: some to new proposals in the governor’s budget, some to continue existing programs. What will these cuts mean to students and educators?

Existing funding streams that were not increased as proposed include:

• The $1 million proposed increase to the technology block grant for schools, a priority for school districts, did not make the cut—which will dampen their ability to update and purchase electronic devices for educators and students. It also eliminates the opportunity to use the funds to support professional development and technology support staff—an area that is not directly supported by the unit count funding system and something districts must fund creatively or locally.
• The competitive fund for charter schools serving high-need populations has dwindled from $2 million over the last few years to this year’s recommended $500,000, which the JFC has completely eliminated. This funding was a step to make charter funding more equitable—as charters don’t receive some funds that districts do, such as capital funding. Without these resources, high-performing schools serving high-need students will struggle to expand to serve more students.
• Finally, $11.3 million was requested to sustain the work underway in our state as a result of the Federal Early Learning Challenge Grant, which has increased the access of high-need children to high-quality care, provided scholarships to professionals, diagnostic screenings, supported community-led initiatives to get kids ready for kindergarten, and more. In order to continue to serve working parents and our highest need young children at the level we do today, these funds are required. Early learning initiatives were cut by $2 million, which means that the early learning community will have some tough decisions to make about where to eliminate programs and resources for working families and young children. And, we have more challenges ahead—as more high-need children are served in higher quality care, more resources are needed, just as they are when more students enter the K-12 system. But instead of having a “door opener” like the K-12 system does, as well as contingency funds for more teaching units, the early learning field has to come back and ask for more resources each time. This system must be fixed if we truly want to invest our dollars where they can make the most difference.

Proposed new investments that will not be funded include:

• The $3 million cut for expanding internet bandwidth in public schools, another priority for districts, is especially difficult as schools (like the rest of the world) shift toward technology based platforms. Many schools face challenges administering assessments electronically. And many educators utilize web-based platforms like Schoology to connect with other educators to develop lesson plans, share best practices, or pursue valuable professional development. The web also allows our students to connect with people and resources from around the world, like Rodel Teacher Council member Lisa Mims, who conducts ‘Mystery Skype’ sessions with fourth grade classrooms around the map. Until we can meet basic needs, like reliable and sufficient broadband access, schools can’t offer access to modern education equitably.
• The governor’s recommended budget included $3 million to offer higher starting salaries for new educators. Without these funds, Delaware remains non-competitive with surrounding states who can offer more and who often hire earlier in the calendar year.
• With its $500,000 price tag, SB 228 proposed expansion to the SEED Scholarships that would’ve allowed students to drop below full-time or take time off during their college experience without putting their scholarship dollars in jeopardy. With this cut, we lost a  great bill that could have  supported  students who are competing  academically,  but also have competing life responsibilities like family or job obligations. As someone who worked my way through college with a full-time job, taking classes part-time, this is a difficult cut to bear.
• As part of our state’s focus on preparing students for life beyond high school and the desire to support a healthy Delaware economy, Delaware Pathways allows students to take courses in high-demand fields, earn college credits and industry recognized credentials while gaining valuable employment experience while in high school. About $600,000 is needed to establish Delaware Technical Community College as the convener between businesses and schools to provide students with work-based employment opportunities intended to support their classroom experience. Without this, this project will be delayed and may not expand as planned.

Times are difficult and I certainly don’t envy the decisions that our lawmakers have to make when prioritizing spending. As the final week of General Assembly concludes, we’ll be watching how the final funding decisions will impact the lives of Delaware students and educators.