Alabama's second of two budgets has made its way out of committee and will move on to the full House. The House Ways and Means Education Committee approved the Education Trust Fund's nearly $6 billion budget for 2016. Committee Chairman Bill Poole says he expects the budget will be debated on the House floor Thursday. A substitute budget adopted by the House committee would increase funding for the state's school transportation program by $4.5 million. The House version would increase funding for the state's pre-kindergarten program by $10 million.
Removal Plan
Lawmakers are moving forward with a plan to remove the Alabama Board of Education from the state's new charter school program. The House Education Policy Committee approved a bill that would remove the board from confirming a new charter school commission. Republicans who sponsored Alabama's newly passed charter school legislation expressed frustration at the state school board's refusal to confirm a list of nominees for the commission. Board members have said they wanted more time to properly vet candidates nominated by the governor, lieutenant governor, House speaker and Senate president pro tem.
SKYCAP 2015
May 30th is the deadline to register for Alabama State University's annual Summer Kids Youth College Adventure Program. The educational camp offers two session with all day or half day rates. ASU's Dr. Carl Pettis says SKYCAP kids and teens will enjoy activities designed to teach and entertain. More information can be found online at www.alasu.edu/skycap.