Friday News Roundup: Week of September 14-18

At Ed Money Watch, we discuss and analyze major issues affecting education funding. In our Friday News Roundup, we try to highlight interesting stories that might otherwise get overlooked. These stories emphasize how federal and state policy changes can affect local schools and districts.

Virginia Prepares for Cuts to Higher Education Budget

Michigan Budget Deal Would Mean Cuts for Education

Funding Cuts For DC Area Colleges Mean Higher Tuition, Fewer Classes

Massachusetts Lawmakers Seek to Review State Education Funding Formula

Virginia Prepares for Cuts to Higher Education Budget
Earlier this week, Virginia’s finance secretary outlined the details of Governor Tim Kaine’s proposed $196.8 million cut from the state’s general fund appropriations for public colleges and universities. The cuts will be partially offset by an infusion of $91.5 million in federal stimulus funds for the 2010 fiscal year. However, Virginia’s two-year colleges would still see a 7 percent cut from 2009 levels overall and four-year institutions would see an 8 percent cut. Virginia community college enrollment continues to rise even as the institutions face budget cuts. The Virginia Community College System estimates that its full-time equivalent student count is up by about 13 percent statewide, and 22 of its 23 schools have broken enrollment records this fall. Four-year institutions in the state are also struggling with how to absorb cuts without affecting instruction or financial aid. More here…

Michigan Budget Deal Would Mean Cuts for Education
Michigan lawmakers made a deal this week on a state budget framework for fiscal year 2010. The budget includes $1.2 billion in cuts from 2009 levels even after including $2.8 billion in federal stimulus money. Conference committees will begin working to sort out exactly how these cuts will be made, and it remains to be seen whether Governor Jennifer Granholm will agree to the deal. Governor Granholm had previously proposed a budget with fewer cuts and over $600 million in new fees and taxes. Democrats in the state legislature say they won’t support a deal with deep cuts to public safety, education, and health care. However, the proposed cuts to education are about the same as those proposed in a Senate budget from June. That budget eliminated the Michigan Promise college grants – grants that provided up to $4,000 toward tuition for eligible college students. No decision has been made as to how the education budget will be trimmed for this deal. More here…

Funding Cuts For DC Area Colleges Mean Higher Tuition, Fewer Classes
State colleges in the greater Washington, DC area will get less support from state coffers as 2010 budgets are trimmed. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine announced a 15 percent reduction in state aid this week. Though the cuts will be partially offset by federal economic stimulus funds, students are already feeling the pinch. They have reported increased class sizes, fewer course offerings, and higher tuition and housing costs. More classes are being taught by adjunct faculty, and students at community colleges are being turned away for lack of space. Maryland has fared better than most – Governor Martin O’Malley froze tuition in the state university system for four years, and has shielded colleges from heavy cuts. The University of the District of Columbia, the District’s only public university, has been spared any budget cuts. More here…

Massachusetts Lawmakers Seek to Review State Education Funding Formula
Massachusetts lawmakers are calling for a review of the state’s education funding formula. State Senator Karen Spilka proposed legislation to put together a committee of public officials and an independent contractor to carry out the review. Though the bill’s backers, including Senator Spilka, say they don’t expect state education funding to increase any time soon because of the economic crisis, they do believe the $600,000 study is essential to prepare for the future. Because the last review of the state’s education system was done in 1991 and a state lawsuit that found that many school districts had inadequate resources, supporters believe the review is necessary. Opponents worry that the study could lead to a lawsuit should the result suggest that more should be spent on education. More here…