Montgomery, AL – Alabama education officials have long known that across-the-board cuts were coming, but no one knew when they would arrive - until now.
State Superintendent Joe Morton said Thursday that the other shoe will drop next week when Gov. Bob Riley is expected to officially declare proration and set a percentage for the cuts.
That declaration will make available up to $435 million from a rainy day account.
Some officials are advocating leaving some money in the account for next year. That would mean bigger cuts this year than would be necessary if the entire rainy day fund were used.
Morton said he favors using all the money that's available.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)