Alabama
Alabama Lawmakers Consider New School Funding Model
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With one legislative session finished and the next about eight months away, Alabama legislators will spend the time in-between deciding whether to develop an entirely new school funding formula.
The House and Senate committees that oversee the Education Trust Fund (ETF), the state’s education budget, held a joint meeting Tuesday to begin discussions about potential changes to the current public K-12 education funding formula.
“It has been 30 years since we changed our funding formula for education, and a lot has changed in the past 30 years,” said Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, the chair of the House Ways and Means Education Committee, in an interview after the meeting. “We are one of six states out of 50 that continues to fund the way we are funding, on a resource-model basis, so we are looking at what other options we have that would be better suited to that.”
It is the first in a series of meetings aimed at providing members an education on the workings of Alabama’s Foundation Program, the $4.6 billion program in the ETF which provides funding for schools around the state.
Many states fund their schools using a student-based model, one that takes into greater account not only the number of students within a given school system, but also the students’ composition, such as whether they are English Language learners or someone with special needs.
Under Alabama’s current formula, in place since 1995, the number of students creates a certain number of teacher units. That number of teacher units then becomes the basis of much of the funding.
At a recent State Board of Education work session, State Superintendent Eric Mackey had defined the school as a “hybrid program” rather than a true foundation program because those units are the basis of funding.
“You get what you get based on the number of units,” he said.
According to Allovue, Connecticut, Kansas, California, Tennessee, Maryland and Texas have all moved to a weighted student funding formula in the last decade.
Members discussed not only the funding formula, but also underfunding of schools in lower-income communities with significant minority populations; the role of economic development incentives and their effect on school funding, and the lack of funding for special needs students.
Kirk Fulford, deputy director of the Legislative Services Agency, provided lawmakers with an overview of the Foundation Program.
The amount that schools receive is based on a unit count. The state takes the average number of students enrolled in the school or school system for the 20 days following Labor Day. The number is then divided by the divisor, set by the Legislature for the number of students within a set of grade levels.
If a school has 100 students, and the divisor for K-3 grades is 14.25, the school or school district has a unit count for K-3 grade teachers of 7.01. That is then converted to dollars based on the salary schedule that is set.
The number of principals, assistant principals and counselors for a school is also calculated based on units, and the amount of Foundation Program funding for the school is converted by multiplying that unit count by the money per unit decided by legislators.
Other types of funding are added to the Foundation Program allocation for schools, from transportation expenses to additional money specifically for math and science teachers along with special education.
Money to fund the cost determined for each district is shared between municipalities and the state. The formula is designed so that more affluent locations pay a greater share of the cost than those whose residents are lower income.
Local governments must set property taxes at a minimum of 10 mills in order to receive money from the Foundation Program.
For the coming year, the state portion of the ETF for K-12 schools, including the Foundation Program; transportation, and programs run through the Alabama State Department of Education, is about $5.5 billion. The local fund portion is about $831.5 million.
The amount in local property taxes collected for the school system will vary by the assessed value of the properties within the school system’s boundaries. Poorer areas will generate less tax revenues than more prosperous ones.
Lowndes County, for example, an area with a significantly lower-income population, paid roughly $1.3 million into the Foundation program. Mountain Brook, a wealthy suburb of Birmingham, paid about $7.3 million to the Foundation Program.
School districts with wealthier populations tend to record higher scores on standardized tests, according to an analysis based on FY21-22 spending and School Year 2022-23 scores from the Edunomics Lab based at Georgetown.
The local allocation has irritated some lawmakers who work to increase their economic development to increase school funding, only to have their state allocation reduced, leaving them net neutral.
“We always were under the impression that, ‘Wow, we bring in industry, and they pay $200,000 of property taxes to our schools,’” said Rep. Troy Stubbs, R-Wetumpka, who used to be on the Elmore County Commission. “We felt like we were improving our local schools because we were bringing in more money. However, Elmore County is only a participant in our Foundation Program with our 10 mills. We do not have any local funding. Because of that, all we were really doing was lowering the amount that the state contributed to Elmore County.”
In Tennessee, which moved to a weighted student funding formula in recent years, school districts were required to keep funding at previous levels, according to the Commercial Appeal. The state provided overall more funding to the education budget so that districts received more money by numbers, even if the share they received from the state lowered.
Garrett previously told the Reflector that the Educational Opportunities Reserve Fund, created in the 2022 regular legislative session, could be used in shifting the funding formula.
Schools receive additional funding for specific students, such as those with special needs, from the Foundation Program. The formula automatically factors in the number of students who have special needs at 5%. The unit count is then weighted up to 2.5 for those students to give schools additional dollars for more resources.
Currently, the sole adaptation in the formula is headcount, and doesn’t incorporate the specific needs of some in schools, one that is based on each student, might.
“We know the cost to educate a special needs child is, far and away, more than the average child,” said Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, the chair of the Senate’s education budget committee. “The cost to educate an English Language Learner is much more than an average Alabama child. Following the trend, or at least looking at the other states who have gone down this road, seeing if we want to consider changing our funding model, how we fund based on a type of student instead of just a student.”
The committees plan to resume the discussions at an August meeting.
Reporter Jemma Stephenson contributed to this story.
Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and X.
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WATCH: FAMU LB Nay’Ron Jenkins on starting, leading Rattlers in tackles
Nay’Ron Jenkins is a linebacker on the Florida A&M Rattlers football team.
Florida A&M football is back from a Hurricane Helene rainout for a SWAC showdown with Alabama State.
FAMU (2-2) has lost two straight games against FBS opponents: No. 8 Miami and Troy. The No. 22 Rattlers’ two wins against FCS teams were nail-biters, though they do boast one of the SWAC’s top passers in quarterback Daniel Richardson (987 yards, six touchdowns).
Alabama State (2-2) is coming off a 26-21 win at Bethune-Cookman. The Hornets were picked before the season to beat FAMU for the SWAC East title and have two of the top running backs in the conference: Daquon Kincey (237 yards, 1 TD) and Jamarie Hostzclaw (228 yards).
Watch FAMU vs Alabama State live on ESPN+
Here’s everything you need to know about the FAMU game, including time, TV and streaming info and more:
What channel is FAMU football vs Alabama State on today?
TV channel: Not on traditional TV.
Livestream: ESPN+
Florida A&M vs. Alabama State can be seen exclusively on ESPN+ in Week 6 of the 2024 college football season. It will not air on traditional TV.
FAMU vs Alabama State time today
- Date: Saturday, October 5
- Start time: 3 p.m. ET
The Florida A&M vs Alabama State game starts at 3 p.m. from ASU Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama.
FAMU vs Alabama State predictions, picks
FAMU 26, Alabama State 17: FAMU’s offense can be electric with Richardson under center. And Alabama State has one of the best defenses in the nation. Saturday won’t be your typical homecoming blowout. FAMU will best Alabama State again and raid the Hornets’ homecoming festivities. – Gerald Thomas III
FAMU football schedule 2024
- August 24: vs. Norfolk State in Atlanta (W, 24-23)
- August 31: vs. South Carolina State (W, 22-18)
- September 7: at Miami (L 56-9)
- September 14: Open
- September 21: at Troy (L 34-12)
- September 28: Open (rained out by Hurricane Helene)
- October 5: at Alabama State, 3 p.m.
- October 12: Open
- October 19: at Jackson State, 3:30 p.m.
- October 26: vs. Southern, 7 p.m.
- November 2: vs. Texas Southern, 4 p.m.
- November 9: at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m.
- November 16: vs. Mississippi Valley State, 1 p.m.
- November 23:vs. Bethune-Cookman, 3:30 p.m. in Orlando
- November 29: vs. Alabama A&M
- Record: 2-2
Alabama State football schedule 2024
- September 1: vs. North Carolina Central in Miami Gardens, Florida (L 31-24)
- September 7: vs. Miles College (W 24-3)
- September 14: at Samford (L 12-7)
- September 21: Open
- September 28: at Bethune-Cookman (W 26-21)
- October 5: vs. Florida A&M, 3 p.m.
- October 12: vs. Mississippi Valley State, 3 p.m.
- October 19: Open
- October 26: at Alabama A&M, 3:30 p.m.
- November 2: at Alcorn State, 5 p.m.
- November 9: at Grambling State, 3 p.m.
- November 16: vs. Jackson State, 3 p.m.
- November 23: vs. Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m.
- November 28: vs. Tuskegee, 2 p.m.
- Record: 2-2
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Alabama
James Spann: Warm weekend ahead for Alabama; cooler air arrives Tuesday – Alabama News Center
RADAR CHECK: Light rain is fairly widespread across southwest Alabama this afternoon; showers are widely spaced over the northern half of the state. Temperatures are in the 70s over south Alabama with clouds and rain. The northern counties, where the sun is out in spots, are in the low to mid 80s. Showers will fade quickly after dark, and the sky becomes mostly fair tonight with a low in the 60s.THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Highs remain in the 80s Saturday and Sunday with a partly to mostly sunny sky both days. We will keep some risk of showers in the forecast for far southern Alabama, but nothing too widespread or heavy.
COOL CHANGE: While Monday will be another warm day, a dry cold front will bring a cool change to the Deep South beginning Tuesday. Highs drop into the 70s over north and central Alabama, with lows in the 50s. The high will be close to 80 over south Alabama, and the week will be dry with sunny days and fair nights. We see no significant rain for Alabama for the next 10-15 days. This is common for October, the driest month of the year here based on climatology.
TROPICS: Kirk remains a major hurricane with winds of 140 mph, but it is in the middle of the Atlantic, far from land. It turns north, then northeast well east of the U.S. Behind Kirk is Tropical Storm Leslie with winds of 65 mph. It should become a hurricane over the next 24 hours, but, like Kirk, it will remain far from land.
A trough of low pressure over the western Gulf of Mexico is producing widespread showers and thunderstorms. A broad area of low pressure is expected to develop from this system over the southwestern or south-central Gulf of Mexico during the next day or two, and additional subsequent development is possible while the low moves slowly eastward or northeastward. A tropical or subtropical depression or storm could form during the early to middle part of next week if the low remains separate from a frontal boundary that is forecast to extend across the Gulf of Mexico.
Regardless of tropical or subtropical development, locally heavy rains could occur over portions of Mexico during the next few days and over portions of the Florida Peninsula late this weekend into next week. The latest global models move the tropical low into south Florida Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center gives this feature a 50% chance of development. We see no risk of a tropical storm or hurricane for the central Gulf Coast (Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach) for at least the next seven days.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: There’s just a small risk of a shower during the first quarter for the high school games tonight. Otherwise, it will be mostly fair and pleasant; temperatures will fall through the 70s.
Saturday, UAB will host Tulane at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham (noon kickoff). The sky will be mostly sunny with temperatures in the low to mid 80s.
Auburn will be on the road at Georgia (2:30 p.m. CT kickoff). The sky will be sunny with temperatures in the low 80s through most of the game.
Alabama travels to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt (3:15 p.m. CT kickoff). Expect a sunny sky with temperatures falling from near 85 degrees at kickoff to near 80 by the final whistle.
RACE WEEKEND: There’s just an outside risk of a shower today at Talladega; otherwise, it will be warm and dry through the weekend with highs in the mid 80s. Lows will be in the 60s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1995: Opal made landfall at Pensacola Beach as a Category 3 hurricane with top sustained winds of 115 mph. Opal at that time was the first major hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle since Eloise in 1975.
Opal’s legacy will always be the devastating storm surge that occurred across the coastal areas of the western Florida Panhandle. Storm surge of 10-15 feet was recorded from Navarre Beach east to Destin, with 6-8 feet observed in the inland bays from Pensacola to Choctawhatchee Bay. Opal destroyed most of the homes that were facing the Gulf of Mexico from Navarre Beach to east of Destin.
Opal was a high-impact event for most of inland Alabama. Rainfall measured at the Birmingham Airport reached 6.94 inches for the day, with major flooding in parts of the city. There were two storm-related deaths in Gadsden, in Etowah County, when high wind toppled a massive oak tree onto their mobile home.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.
Alabama
James Spann: A few showers for Alabama today; warm afternoons continue – Alabama News Center
RADAR CHECK: We have a few areas of mostly light rain over the southern half of Alabama early this morning. Otherwise, the sky is mostly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. We are forecasting a mix of sun and clouds today with scattered showers possible; the highest coverage will be over the southern counties. The weather stays warm, with a high between 80 and 85 degrees this afternoon.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Highs remain in the 80s Saturday and Sunday with a partly to mostly sunny sky both days. We will keep some risk of isolated showers in the forecast for the far southern part of Alabama, but nothing widespread or heavy.
COOL CHANGE: While Monday will be another warm day, a dry cold front will bring a cool change to the Deep South beginning Tuesday. Highs drop into the 70s over north and central Alabama, with lows in the 50s. The highs will be close to 80 over south Alabama, and the week will be dry with sunny days and fair nights. We see no really significant rain for Alabama for the next 10-15 days. This is common for October, the driest month of the year here based on climatology.
TROPICS: Kirk remains a powerful hurricane this morning with winds of 145 mph, but it is in the middle of the Atlantic far from land. It turns north, then northeast well east of the U.S. Behind Kirk is Tropical Storm Leslie with winds of 60 mph. It should become a hurricane over the next 24 hours, but like Kirk it will remain far from land.
We continue to watch the southern Gulf of Mexico, where disorganized showers and thunderstorms are associated with a trough of low pressure. A broad area of low pressure is expected to form this weekend, and thereafter some gradual development is possible while the low moves slowly eastward or northeastward. A tropical or subtropical depression or storm could form during the early to middle part of next week if the low remains separate from a frontal boundary that is forecast to extend across the Gulf of Mexico next week. Regardless of tropical or subtropical development, locally heavy rains could occur over portions of Mexico during the next few days and over portions of the Florida Peninsula (not the panhandle) late this weekend into next week.
The National Hurricane Center gives this feature a 40% chance of development. We see no risk of a tropical storm or hurricane for the central Gulf Coast (Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach) for at least the next seven days.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: There’s just a small risk of a shower during the first quarter for the high school games tonight. Otherwise, it will be mostly fair and pleasant; temperatures will fall through the 70s.
Saturday, UAB will host Tulane at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham (noon kickoff). The sky will be mostly sunny with temperatures in the low to mid 80s.
Auburn will be on the road at Georgia (2:30 p.m. CT kickoff). The sky will be sunny with temperatures in the low 80s through most of the game.
Alabama travels to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt (3:15 p.m. CT kickoff). Expect a sunny sky with temperatures falling from near 85 degrees at kickoff to near 80 by the final whistle.
RACE WEEKEND: There’s just an outside risk of a shower today at Talladega; otherwise, it will be warm and dry through the weekend with highs in the mid 80s. Lows will be in the 60s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1995: Opal made landfall at Pensacola Beach as a Category 3 hurricane with top sustained winds of 115 mph. Opal at that time was the first major hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle since Eloise in 1975.
Opal’s legacy will always be the devastating storm surge that occurred across the coastal areas of the western Florida Panhandle. Storm surge of 10-15 feet was recorded from Navarre Beach east to Destin, with 6-8 feet observed in the inland bays from Pensacola to Choctawhatchee Bay. Opal destroyed most of the homes that were facing the Gulf of Mexico from Navarre Beach to east of Destin.
Opal was a high-impact event for most of inland Alabama. Rainfall measured at the Birmingham Airport reached 6.94 inches for the day, with major flooding in parts of the city. There were two storm-related deaths in Gadsden, in Etowah County, when high wind toppled a massive oak tree onto their mobile home.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.
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