Friday News Roundup: Week of May 9-13

Nevada Democrats pass K-12 spending bill over GOP protests

Washington State universities given tuition control

Despite ed funding boost, some Utah schools will get less money

Pennsylvania higher ed notes relief at plan for smaller cuts

Nevada Democrats pass K-12 spending bill over GOP protests
Nevada Democrats passed a K-12 funding bill this week that would restore previously cut funding for education and increase per pupil spending far above the governor’s recommended level. The Democrats’ plan rejects a 5 percent pay cut for teachers, provides previously cut educational and longevity pay, and restores cuts to the basic per pupil support. In total, these changes add up to more than $650 million more than Governor Brian Sandoval requested in his budget proposal and increase per pupil spending in 2012 from the governor’s $4,877 to $5,542. The Democrats also proposed a $1.5 billion tax bill that would provide funding for the additional education expenditures. Governor Sandoval is likely to veto the bill. More here…

Washington State universities given tuition control
This week, the Washington State legislature passed a bill that would give state four-year colleges and universities control over tuition rates for four years. This would allow the institutions to increase tuition to cover cuts in state funding. For example, a current proposal would cut state funding for public higher education by $600 million. As a result, the state contribution to public institutions’ operating budgets would likely drop down to 30 percent from over 50 percent a few years ago. However, institutions are required to use a certain percentage of the revenue associated with increased tuition for financial aid. Though many institutions have not yet determined how much they will increase their tuition in the coming years, some have discussed increases as low as 12 percent or as high as 20.5 percent. More here…

Despite ed funding boost, some Utah schools will get less money
Though the Utah legislature passed a budget that provides an additional $50 million to K-12 education for the 2011-12 school year, some school districts will get less money than they did in school year 2010-11. When allocating money to education programs, legislators shifted funds between programs, resulting in a different distribution pattern. For example, legislators shifted funds from the flexible allocation (which is used to pay for teacher (?) social security and retirement costs) to the basic per pupil funding amount and to a program that provides funds for districts that have trouble raising property taxes. Additionally, money put in a program that covers the cost of enrollment growth is insufficient to fully compensate for this growth in some districts. Though some districts will see slight increases in state funding, some large districts will see decreases. More here…

Pennsylvania higher ed notes relief at plan for smaller cuts
Officials at Pennsylvania state-related and state-owned universities are cautiously optimistic about a House Republican budget proposal that includes smaller cuts than those proposed by Governor Corbett. Specifically, the proposal would use $471 million in savings from changes to the welfare program to restore money to public universities. This would reduce proposed cuts to state-related institutions from 50 percent to 25 percent and to 15 percent for state-owned schools. The House budget also increases K-12 funding by $210 million over the governor’s proposal. More here…

Briefly Noted:

Idaho schools may receive $50 million more in discretionary funds due to better than expected tax revenues.