Alabama House passes education budget, paving way for new student funding

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Lawmakers are hoping a $9.9 billion Education Trust Fund (ETF) will change the quality of learning for student in Alabama.

That money will go towards everything from teacher salaries to after school programs, and even scholarships for students.

“Yeah, this is always an anxious time of year, because you never really know which way things are gonna go with the budget,” said Chilton County Schools Superintendent Corey Clements.

For Clements, that anxiety is subsiding. That’s because the House of Representatives passed a budget with school funding changes, and Clements hopes it will support more students in his county.

“We’re really excited, not just to have the funding, but also to have the flexibility to use it how we see fit within our system and not be earmarked like a lot of things are,” said Clements.

That flexibility could come in the form of a funding formula. Education budget chairman Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) said schools will now receive money based on student need, rather than head count.

He said this means more money for English language learners, low-income students and those in special education and gifted.

“It’s transformative because, right now, the state is not providing a lot of support for ELL,” he said. “Some of the districts have 30, 40% of ELL. That’s a challenge for those districts. It dilutes resources they could otherwise spend elsewhere.”

Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) said Democrats are concerned about funding school choice. It’s a tax credit public school students could use to attend private schools. Ensler said it takes away from public schools, but he said the budget is beneficial overall.

“I think, for students in Montgomery, but students anywhere in the state- having the funding based off of the needs of that district are much more equitable and a much fair, better way of doing it,” said Ensler.

Students can also look forward to new career tech centers around the state, which has been allocated for in the budget. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said these will be critical.

“Less than 70% of our kids are going to college. We need to give them an opportunity to be successful,” said Ledbetter. “With the career pathway diploma last year, I think it’s essential that we have those facilities so they can learn some type of trade to be successful.”

The budget passed in the House with amendments. Now, it’ll go back to the Senate for final concurrence.