Montgomery, AL – There will be about 1,100 fewer teachers in Alabama classrooms during the upcoming fiscal year under a bare-bones $5.58 billion education budget approved by a House committee.
The budget was approved Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Education Committee. Committee chairman Republican Rep. Jay Love said he expects the budget to come up for debate on the House floor next week.
State schools Superintendent Joe Morton said he doesn't anticipate layoffs of current teachers. He expects more than 1,100 teachers will retire or resign and many positions won't be refilled. Alabama students will still go to class 187 days a year.
The budget maintains funding for programs to improve student performance in reading, math and science. But in most classes old textbooks won't be replaced.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)