The 2019 budget is being currently being negotiated between the state legislature and Governor Nathan Deal. Here is what's on the table for out 1.7 million students.
K-12 Schools:
1. A small increase in the overall K-12 budget, almost all of which is going to offset payments due to the Teacher Retirement System.
2. $Funding cuts for math and science teachers and school nurses – around $1.7 million total
3. $120 million for changes in enrollment and routine adjustments to teacher salaries
4. An increase in funding for State Charter Schools of just under $10 million
5. An increase in equalization grants of almost $30 million – this is used to offset districts who are significantly impacted by low property tax income
6. A $.1.8 million increase for the REACH scholarship program, mostly for expansion. REACH is a combined scholarship between the state and local school districts to offer scholarships to students for post-secondary education
7. $34.4 million for increased dual enrollment participants – high school students who are taking college-level courses for credit
8. A new leadership academy for principals that will start at about one and a half million dollars per year
9. $4.3 million increase for student mental health services, a priority for the Governor and some members of the General Assembly
Higher Education
Notable increases for higher education includes $1 million budget for marketing of the Technical College System of Georgia. This is a much needed boost to highlight the training and workforce development opportunities available to Georgias. Also in the budget for higher education – a four-and-a-half million increase for the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center which will expand over a dozen positions for this growing sector.
Additional Resources:
The Governor's Budgets by year
Georgia House of Representatives Budget Page
