March 2, 2017
Delaware News
The News Journal
WEIC to Carney: We need weighted funding
One day after Gov. John Carney said a weighted funding model proposed by the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission would “handcuff the state” financially, the commission released a statement encouraging him to reconsider allocating money for at-risk students. Carney on Tuesday told the commission that with a projected $350 million budget deficit, putting aside money for low-income students and English language learners was neither economically nor politically feasible.
PTA groups awarded state grants
Several local PTA groups have received grants of $500 in support of school programs or events that align with National PTA initiatives of Student and School Success (Family Engagement), Health and Safety and Arts in Education.
Editorial: A day to remember for Delaware’s educational system
Opinion
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, may turn out to be a day we remember in infamy. First, The News Journal reported that Gov. Carney believes the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission’s proposed weighted funding model would “handcuff the state” as it faces a $350 million budget deficit. Hours later, it was reported that Colonial School District residents voted down a two-part referendum that would have raised an additional $10.9 million in taxes annually and given the district the authority to take out $4.7 million in bonds for one-time school security upgrades.
Delaware Public Media
Indian River residents vote on second try referendum
Indian River School District residents are being asked again to approve a tax referendum. Last November, a tax hike designed to bring an additional $7.4 million to the district’s operating budget failed by a mere 30 votes. The proposal before voters Thursday is the same as that November ask – a tax increase of 49 cents per $100 of assessed property value, which will add a little over $95 to the average district taxpayer’s annual bill.
Cape Gazette
It’s already been 100 days of school
To celebrate the first 100 days of school on Feb. 24, Richard Shields Elementary School students participated in activities centered around the number, which included displays of 100 items brought in from home.
Dover Post
March 3 deadline for Kent board of education seats
Three Kent County school districts each have a single school board seat up for election, and would-be candidates must file by Friday, March 3. The election for the five-year terms is May 9. So far, there are seven candidates and all three open seats are contested.
National News
Winston-Salem Journal
Cooper unveils education, budget plan
Education is front and center in Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget proposal, released Wednesday. Cooper would have the state spend $13.4 billion on education — about $9.3 billion of that total on the state’s K to 12 system — with the goal of making North Carolina a “Top Ten Educated State” by 2025. A large part of the increase Cooper’s calling for over the next two years would go toward a 10 percent raise to bring teacher salaries up to a $55,000 average by 2019 — the highlight that Cooper’s been touting for the last week.
Hartford Courant
Lawmakers face a tough decision on education funding
Legislators heard from city and town leaders and educators Wednesday about how the governor’s budget would hurt education and taxpayers. They also listened to a call from the plaintiffs in a landmark education court case for a $250,000 study on how much it costs to educate children adequately.
The Salt Lake Tribune
House panel OKs requiring teachers to pass a skills test
A bill requiring the equivalent of a board exam for Utah teachers passed a House committee on Monday after a lengthy debate. The proposal was approved by the Senate earlier this month in a 22-3 vote. But it split the Republican members of the House Education Committee and would have failed if not for supporting votes by the committee’s two Democrats.
9 News
State BOE votes to support testing bill
The Colorado State Board of Education voted Friday to support a bill that would align the statewide language arts and math assessments for ninth graders to the ones in 10th and 11th graders take. “For months the board has been discussing a way to simplify the ninth-grade test and provide a clear connection to the college readiness process,” said Board Chairwoman Angelika Schroeder in a news release.