MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) – Alabama senators passed an education trust fund budget this week.
$9.3 billion will go to Alabama's schools. This budget funds everything from teacher salaries to after-school programs to scholarships for higher education students.
State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) sponsored the 2024 education budget. He said one aspect of the budget includes changes to student numbers needed to bring more principals into schools.
“We have added funding to hire assistant principals in schools with at least 300 students. [students]” Garrett said. “Right now, if you don’t have $500, the state won’t fund you. [students]addressed the situation.
State Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) said he has added $10 million to the summer EBT program to feed children. Although it won't start until next year, the money will be paid to run the program after COVID-19 funding is lost, he explained.
“In some cases, these school meals are the only part of a child's diet,” Singleton said. “It’s a healthy lunch all day long, so we want to make sure we have a nutritious meal while we’re out and about in the summer.”
State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) said he hopes the budget will increase teacher pay.
“We were still a little bit behind our neighboring states in terms of beginning teachers,” Orr said. “Governor. Ivey recognizes that we have the highest starting salary in the Southeast, and that certainly puts us in a good position.”
The summer EBT program was recently added to the budget and will go back to the House for approval next week.
