NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Don't tell school districts that the economy is picking up.
Many are still too busy figuring out how they are going to teach their students with diminished resources.
More than eight in 10 districts say they are inadequately funded, and more than half anticipate a decrease in state and local revenues for the coming school year, according to a recent survey from the American Association of School Administrators.
Even in districts where state aid is stabilizing, local funding is shrinking or costs are rising faster than revenues. Many are only now feeling the effects of the housing bust as towns lower property assessments, which affects the property tax revenues that many schools depend on.
A model for addressing college costs
Yet another year of cuts is prompting a greater share of districts to slash teachers, classes and more. Two-thirds of districts expect to eliminate positions in 2012-13, while one-quarter are looking at furloughs.
Some 57% anticipate having to increase class size. More than 48% say they may have to eliminate or delay instruction improvements, such as updating textbooks, computers and science labs. Nearly three in 10 are considering canceling summer school.
"The cuts are so drastic because those who have already made cuts have already made the easy ones," said Noelle Ellerson, the
http://money.cnn.com/2012/03/27/news/economy/education-budget-cuts/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
Realist - Everybody in America is soft, and hates conflict. The cure for this, both in politics and social life, is the same -- hardihood. Give them raw truth.
| 