Matt Cohen & Associates’ Post

With Chicago Public Schools (CPS) facing a budget deficit and layoffs of critical staff for next year, the state still refuses to meet its funding obligations to Chicago and all Illinois school districts. Under the state’s Evidence Based Funding formula, Illinois schools are underfunded by $2.6 billion. “The real question is: Why should any school district in Illinois, which has a state GDP in excess of $1 trillion, have to make resource allocation decisions driven by fiscal challenges rather than educational best practices?” writes one advocate. Read more in the Sun-Times: https://lnkd.in/g3m6bz28

I’ll be voting yes on the Lamar County Schools bond issue. Our teachers & students deserve nice, new facilities that can accommodate more students as we continue to grow our region’s economy. Our schools are reflective of the pride in our community. While Lamar County is an “A” rated school system, some of our facilities are far from an “A.” The facilities that would be replaced are extremely tired, fully depreciated, and not indicative of a school system leading the way in MS. The current facilities are also not large enough to accommodate future enrollment increases. We continue to lead the state in job growth and this year achieved the lowest unemployment rate in the United States among 389 metros. The accelerator is down, so job growth and population growth will continue in Lamar County. The question is, will we be prepared to accommodate it? The choice is ours! Join me in voting in favor of the bond issue so that our kids and grandkids receive a quality education in first class facilities. Each day, we’re educating the #NextGen workforce. #Education = #EconDev! #VoteYes

Education Resource Strategies' very own Joseph Trawick-Smith is featured in this excellent Education Week piece on teacher layoffs in response to ongoing enrollment decline and the end of #ESSER. District leaders are in a tough position as they try to prioritize student need, balance competing priorities, and plan for long-term sustainability. Is your district facing these challenges? Let us know how we can help. https://lnkd.in/exyGCrrQ #SchoolLeaders #K12

The 74 Media, Education Resource Strategies - Its April 30- if district leaders haven’t started the school closure process or layoff process than it’s too late! Districts need to engage communities in planning- if not then leaders make bad decisions that impact highest need students and families the most. If districts need to consolidate buildings start today for FY 2026. If your going to reduce staff, engage community, principals in order to make informed decisions. We need to align spending with priorities, we don’t rash changes that will make problems worse.

Housing keeps growing and becoming increasingly expensive in Los Angeles, and now, the California Department of Education wants to encourage school districts to build housing for teachers on their property. Erin Baldassari KQED News reports on the new effort to keep the teaching workforce https://lnkd.in/gMcu5mx2 #LosAngelesHousing #CaliforniaEducation #TeacherHousing #AffordableLiving #TeacherSupport #HousingCrisis #WorkforceHousing

As students head back to school, there are many claims of teacher shortages and funding shortfalls. In reality, public school spending is at a record high, and Pennsylvania ranks among the highest-spending states nationwide. The enacted state budget increased funding for public schools by almost $690 million, on top of 2022’s record-high $1.58 billion funding increase. Meanwhile, enrollment in public schools has dropped, but the number of teachers and other school employees has increased. While certain local districts face teacher shortages, this has been exacerbated by shrinking districts hiring and retaining staff. This disparity could be resolved if funding followed the child. Pennsylvania public schools lost more than 139,000 students, or 7.7% from 1999–2000 to 2022–23. District schools lost more than 289,000 students, or 16.1 percent; while charter schools grew by 150,000. More than 63,000 students enrolled in Career and Technical Schools or Intermediate Unit Programs.

Well, this does NOT look promising. Across Texas, voters sent a loud message: public schools are on their own. This past November, 20 of 35 school bond proposals were rejected, leaving districts like East Central ISD scrambling to address overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and crumbling infrastructure. The district faces a $9 million budget shortfall and explosive growth—but no new funding to solve it. Here’s the harsh reality: Texas’ “recapture” system pulls excess local property tax revenue back to the state, while state leaders champion property tax cuts and school vouchers that could strip even more resources from public schools. For East Central ISD, this is a double-edged sword—rising costs and fewer tools to meet them. Some argue this isn’t about funding at all—it’s a coordinated effort to dismantle public education entirely. If we keep tying the hands of public schools, how can we expect them to succeed? Or is that the point? Let’s hear your thoughts. 👇 #PublicEducation #SchoolFunding #TeacherShortage #TexasEducation #EducationPolicy #SaveOurSchools #EducationMatters https://lnkd.in/g3F8R4qA

🔍 Uncovering the Truth: Chicago Teachers Union and School Board Races Are you curious about the inner workings of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and its influence on school board races? Check out this eye-opening article from Illinois Policy Institute that reveals 10 critical things the CTU doesn't want voters to know. These insights are crucial for understanding the dynamics at play in our education system. 📚 Highlights include: 1. Political strategies and financial backing 2. Impact on policy decisions 3. Implications for Chicago's education system Stay informed and make educated decisions about the future of our schools. This is a must-read for anyone invested in the education and welfare of our children. 🔗https://lnkd.in/gBZrymMh #Education #ChicagoTeachersUnion #SchoolBoard #VoterAwareness #EducationPolicy #StayInformed