Latest news with #EricMackey
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama State Board of Education to adopt policy for paid parental leave at June meeting
State Superintendent Eric Mackey speaking to board members at the May 8 work session in the Gordon Pearsons Building in Montgomery, Alabama. Mackey and the board discussed rules for a paid parental leave policy, which passed the Alabama Legislature in April.(Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama State Board of Education will adopt temporary rules for paid parental leave for public education employees at its June meeting, State Superintendent Eric Mackey said Thursday. The move comes a few weeks after Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law extending the benefit to the workers. SB 199, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, goes into effect on July 1. Mackey said the board will have to adopt an emergency rule in order to approve temporary rules on the paid leave because of the turnaround for the effective date of the benefit. Once the board adopts temporary rules, there will be a 35-day public comment period before the permanent rules are adopted in July. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'All that's to say there could be changes between the two, so during the public comment period, obviously,' Mackey said Thursday during the board's work session. The law allows women who give birth; have a stillbirth or experience a miscarriage after 12 weeks to receive eight weeks of paid leave. It also allows the father to take two weeks of paid leave under those circumstances. If a couple adopts a child under three years old, either parent may have eight weeks of leave if they are both eligible employees. The benefit can be taken within a year of the event. Mackey said, though, that a parent that gives birth or any other related event on June 30 will not be eligible for the benefit. Also, employees must be employed for one year before they are eligible for paid leave. 'Let's say somebody has a baby July 1 this year. They qualify if they have been employed the last year,' he said. Mackey also said that the benefit can only apply once every 12 months. However, the benefit can be taken at any time within those 12 months after the event. A teacher who gives birth during the summer while she is not working can take eight weeks off when school starts in August, Mackey said. 'They could say, start their leave (when) their first day back to school is August 8. They can wait and start their leave on August 8 and then take their leave, you know, for eight weeks,' he said. The program did not receive supplemental funding for fiscal year 2025, so Mackey said the individual school districts would have to pay employees that take the leave between July 1 and Sept. 30. Once the FY 2026 Education Trust Fund budget takes effect on Oct. 1, the state will reimburse the districts at $120 per day. He said the Legislature likely underestimated the number of related events that happen in a year. The line item for the benefit received $9.6 million, but Mackey said it is likely closer to a $12 million expense. 'So $9.6 (million) covered what was originally written, but it got changed, when they put in the father's leave for fathers' two weeks, which was not in the calculation,' Mackey said.. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama state superintendent concerned about USDA cuts
State Superintendent Eric Mackey speaking to members of the Alabama State Board of Education at the board's monthly work session. Mackey told board members that the state department would be OK if the U.S. government shuts down or if the U.S. Department of Education is dismantled. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey said Thursday that 'we don't need teachers panicking, we don't need parents panicking' amid widespread cuts to the federal workforce, including the U.S. Department of Education. 'They just need to focus on getting the work done, and we'll get it done,' he said. The U.S. Department of Education announced workforce cuts on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Mackey said the state department was unable to access nearly $9 million of its federal funding. 'When our folks went in, the portal simply didn't work. It was completely shut down,' Mackey said Thursday after the State Board of Education meeting around 10:45 a.m. 'And then there was a message that said that due to the reduction in federal labor force, there would be a very long wait at the help desk.' Mackey said around 12:30 p.m. Thursday that the state was able to get that money back. 'It's just like your online banking account. Just because you do a transaction, you don't do a remote deposit on the check,' Mackey said. The superintendent did voice concerns about cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees funding for free-and-reduced lunches. The agency also supports farm-to-table initiatives for Alabama school lunch programs, which is largely supported by the Central Alabama Food Bank. 'The federal funding they get, all flows through us, the Department of Agriculture to us, and us out there too,' he said. The Department of Agriculture also supports bringing fresh produce to schools, like apples and satsuma oranges, Mackey said. He said there is an apple orchard in Madison County and a satsuma farm in Mobile County that provides these fresh fruits to schools. 'We go buy from a neighborhood farmer. It actually usually costs a little more, but we think that's worth it,' he said. Mackey said with the cut in workforce, students will not get the fresh produce. The state department received a $16 million federal grant that allowed the farm-to-school program. 'They're going to get plenty of food, all the cafeterias, but it might not be farm-to-school,' he said. 'I'm in hopes that we can find a way to maybe work with the Ag Commissioner to kind of keep that going, but we won't have any federal money to pay for it.' Mackey said it is highly unlikely for the U.S. Department of Education to be dismantled. That would require congressional action, including 60 votes in the Senate which Republicans narrowly control. 'It was established by Congress. It would take an act of Congress to abolish it,' he said. 'It is, by the way, the smallest federal cabinet level agency already.' The U.S. Department of Education administers Title I programs, which provide funding for academics at high-poverty schools, and help fund special education programs and education programs for children with disabilities. About one-third of Alabama schools are high-poverty, according to Board members asked Mackey what they should tell parents when they are worried about their students, especially those who need special education. Vice President Tonya Chestnut said a parent called her worried about how a looming government shutdown will affect their child's special education. 'Special education federal funds are continuing to flow, and those children have protected rights under federal law, and it would take an act of Congress, truly, to change that,' Mackey said. Mackey also said that even if the federal government shuts down, the state funds more special education than the federal government, which funds less than 20% of special education in the state. The superintendent also said that even though a government shutdown would impact the state, students should not notice a difference if the U.S. Senate fails to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through September. 'It would definitely have an impact. But again, on the day-to-day, children going to schools shouldn't see any change in the classroom,' Mackey said.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What federal education cuts could mean for the state of Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — State leaders are giving their take on cuts being made at the U.S. Department of Education. State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said some programs have already been terminated. One of those programs, the Farm to School Program, brings locally grown veggies to cafeterias. Dr. Mackey said he has concerns about those cuts. He said his team couldn't reach the U.S. Department of Education yesterday. As Dr. Mackey explained, the department cited staffing issues as the reasoning. Communication has since been restored, and he said it's been resolved. However, there are concerns. 'We're gonna do our work,' said Dr. Mackey. 'Of course, I certainly believe that it's the state government that has the most responsibility for education. And we know that. And, we take that very seriously. And we're gonna continue to serve our students. No matter what happens in Washington.' Jefferson County EMA encourages planning ahead for severe weather conditions Mackey assured teachers and parents there won't be disruptions. 'Yesterday, a little bit of money that was used to reimburse some teacher salaries was held up. No teacher in this state is even gonna know whether that money was directed at their salary or someone else's salary,' said Dr. Mackey. 'So, that's gonna be covered. Teachers don't need to worry about anything.' Gov. Kay Ivey (R) said she is all for shrinking government. 'Truth be known, every state has an education department. And I know we've got a good one in the State Board of Education and local boards that can handle education very well,' she said. 'So, I'm gonna trust President Trump on this one.' Despite the concerns, Dr. Mackey said he is excited about states having more freedom. 'Maybe this will be the time they can really think about 'what would some innovation look like,' and 'what would some flexibility look like,'' he said. 'It wouldn't necessarily apply to whole states. It might apply to districts to say, 'can a district do this, or do that?' And try something different.' Dr. Mackey said about 10% of school funding for the state comes from Washington. Even with the cuts, he said he is optimistic about what it could mean for the future of education in our state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Kay Ivey, education advocates request 6% ETF budget increase
Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey speaks during a budget presentation to lawmakers on Feb. 5, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Mackey advocated for an additional $627.78 million for K-12 schools in the Education Trust Fund FY26 budget. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Gov. Kay Ivey will request a $9.9 billion Education Trust Fund budget for 2026, a 6% increase over the current year. 'That would move us then into the FY26 direct ETF budget total: proposed appropriations total $9.9 billion,' said State Finance Director Bill Poole. 'That again sets a new high water mark for the state of Alabama.' Under the proposal, $6.7 billion (68%) would go to K-12 schools, with $2.6 billion going to the state's colleges and universities. $614 million will be allocated to other measures, Poole said. The Alabama Legislature gets final say on the budgets. Poole said Ivey wants a $2 million increase for the Department of Mental Health for school-based mental health programs. He said there is also room in the request for scholarships for dependents of law enforcement. 'There will have to be authorizing legislation from the Legislature that we need to consider in order to enact those funds,' he said. The requests did not include pay raises for public education employees. Within the K-12 allocations, Ivey wants $101 million to go to the CHOOSE Act, a voucher-like program allowing families to claim up to $7,000 for each qualifying student to be used for non-public education expenses, including private school tuition. The program is currently limited to households making 300% of the poverty level (about $79,950 for a family of three), students with special needs and dependents of active-duty military enrolled in priority schools. Income limits will be lifted beginning in the 2027-28 school year. Ivey said Tuesday in her State of the State address that there have been 18,000 applications in the first month of the application period. Speaking to legislators on Wednesday afternoon, State Superintendent Eric Mackey asked lawmakers for an additional $627.78 million for K-12 schools. In the 2025 budget, K-12 schools were allocated $5.98 billion. Mackey sought increases for a number of academic and service programs. $22.5 million for distance learning $14.5 million for Advanced Placement $95 million for the Alabama Numeracy Act $39.3 million for the Alabama Mathematics, Science and Technology Initiative $112.8 million for the Alabama Reading Initiative $36.8 million for reading coaches $52 million struggling readers – beyond grade 3 $20 million for English Learners $15.4 million for gifted students $13.5 million for Special Education Certified Behavioral Analysts $30 million for Special Education Pro-Schools $32.9 million Student assessments $7.7 million for a mental health service coordinator program $94.6 million for school nurses $99.3 million for transportation fleet renewals $485.8 million for transportation operations $52.9 million for school safety, security and climate $5 million for defibrillators in schools $2 million for Alabama Multi-Tiered System of Supports Mackey also spent time advocating for a cell phone ban in schools. Two pieces of legislation from both chambers aim to ban cell phone use through local school board actions. The state's Board of Education last year passed a resolution encouraging school districts to limit cell phone use in the classroom, though it did not require them to do so. Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, asked Mackey why he could not implement a ban from his position. 'I don't have authority, nor does the governor or the state board,' he said. 'I think that's what the governor talked about in speech last night. She wants the legislature to change that so it's not up to each local board anymore, because statewide rule.' Alabama Commission on Higher Education Director Jim Purcell requested $77.8 million additional funds from the FY25 ETF. Higher education was allocated $2.25 billion in the FY25 budget. $200,000 for the Hunger Free Campus Initiative $100,000 for Literacy and Numeracy acts implementations(orr confused garrett pissed), $650,000 for Historically Black Colleges and Universities consortium $250,000 for Alabama Special Education Rural Teacher Scholarship $1.5 million increase for state aid programs $1 million increase for STEM major teacher recruitment $200,000 increase for Network of Alabama Academic Libraries $2 million increase for (Re)engage Alabama grant program to move from the supplemental budget Senate Finance and Taxation Education Chairman Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and House Ways and Means Education Chairman Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, were 'mildly offended' by the Literacy and Numeracy acts implementation request, which would allow the money to go directly to campuses, instead of the Department of Education 'Why do they need additional money? We give them boatloads of money every year,' Orr said. Alabama Community College Association Chancellor Jimmy Baker asked lawmakers for an additional $49.38 million. Community colleges were allocated $551 million in the 2025 budget. Lawmakers were receptive to his request. 'Our work is about preparing for the future,' he said. 'It's not just Alabama community college students, but also the entire state of Alabama. That's what matters.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama State Superintendent releases statement regarding ICE and federal funding
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey released a statement Thursday regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal funding. Protests supporting immigrant community underway in Albertville His statement reads as the following: Immigration and Customs Enforcement Many local education leaders have inquired about how possible actions to locate and detain certain illegal alien individuals might affect Alabama schools. First and foremost, to our knowledge, none of our schools have experienced any disruptions whatsoever on the part of federal or state law enforcement related to this issue. We (ALSDE) remain in constant contact with law enforcement agencies and will notify local superintendents should any new guidance or directives be issued by law enforcement. For now, schools should carry on with normal activities. Parents should be encouraged to send children to school, ever mindful of the importance of school attendance on academic and social development. Schools should follow enrollment and attendance policies currently in place, as nothing has changed. As always, If anyone shows up to your office or a school, purporting to be a law enforcement agent, verify identity before admitting them to campus. Nevertheless, after verifying identity, badged law enforcement should always be welcomed onto our campuses. (There is some concern, albeit pure speculation, about potential mal-actors taking advantage of the confusion to attempt kidnapping or other unlawful entry) Please communicate the importance of being at school to all students and families. Drawdown of Federal Funds At this time, we do not believe yesterday's memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget affects formula-driven programs like Title I and IDEA. We are working closely with other state and federal agencies to secure any funds necessary to continue normal daily operations without interruption. Some discretionary grant funds will be affected. In short, just keep having school. Let's stay focused on teaching and learning. I assure you that we are staying on top of the situation and will pass along information as we get updates. I know the flurry of activity makes some of our educators uneasy, which is natural because we all like consistency. Nevertheless, we must keep our eye on the ball and focus on teaching and learning. Dr. Eric Mackey Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
