Officials with Austin Schools happy with passage of E-12 Education Bill during legislative session

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle lauded the approval of the state’s E-12 education bill during the last legislative session that will provide the biggest increase in funding for public schools in the state in 15 years.  Lori Volz, the Director of Finance and Operations for the Austin School District spoke with KAUS News and stated that the district is grateful for the passage of the bill….

The bill will include an approximate 2.5 percent funding increase in the first year, and an additional two percent the second.  The bill also included one-time funding for the Special Education and English Learner cross subsidies, a temporary extension of 4,000 expiring voluntary Pre-Kindergarten slots, $2.25 million per year for teacher mentorship programs aimed at increasing teacher retention, $250,000 per year for a teacher recruitment marketing campaign and $125,000 per year for Introduction to Teaching concurrent enrollment courses for high school students.