The State Board of Education is recommending its first post-recession budget for public schools. The budget recommendation approved Thursday seeks to replace one-third of the nearly 1,400 teaching positions that were cut during the recession.
It also seeks to restore textbook spending and school operational funds that were cut.
The board is recommending $4.1 billion for K-12 schools in the next school year. That's up $415 million from this year. Next year's overall state education budget is expected to increase nearly $408 million to $5.9 billion.
The board is not recommending a specific cost-of-living increase. State Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice said teachers haven't had a raise since 2008, and they need one. But he said the board is leaving that decision to the governor and Legislature.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.