Latest news with #Math
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
APS budget boosts school-level funding by $45M, cuts central office costs
The Brief The Atlanta Board of Education approved a $1.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, focusing on classroom instruction and foundational learning while reducing central office costs. The budget includes a $45 million increase in direct school-level funding and cuts 135 central office positions, saving $25 million to be redirected to schools and classrooms. The budget aims for long-term financial stability by eliminating a $15 million general fund transfer to the School Nutrition Program and reducing reliance on reserve funds by 86%. ATLANTA - The Atlanta Board of Education has approved a $1.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, embracing a "back to basics" approach aimed at closing a financial deficit while preserving key investments in teachers, literacy, and school safety. The budget, passed during the board's regular meeting on Monday night, reallocates resources to support classroom instruction and foundational learning while trimming central office costs and duplicative programs. The backstory The newly adopted budget includes a $45 million increase in direct school-level funding and an additional $11 million targeted for core classroom instruction. Resources will be concentrated at the elementary level to bolster early learning. Cuts made in the current year have allowed the district to fast-track the adoption of new textbooks and updated learning materials. Funding for professional development in English Language Arts and Math will be maintained, reinforcing the district's emphasis on instructional quality. A major component of the new budget is a reduction of 135 central office positions, resulting in $25 million in savings. Officials said those funds will be redirected to schools and classrooms. The district is also working to limit utility spending and apply zero-based budgeting to its signature and turnaround programs. Duplicated funding for programs such as Atlanta Virtual Academy and Phoenix Academy is being eliminated to free up additional funds for core services. Employee benefits remain a significant cost driver, with more than $26 million in increases tied to retirement system contributions and state health benefits. The budget fully funds a 5% increase in Teachers' Retirement System rates and increases of 7% and 20% for certified and classified health benefits, respectively. The budget eliminates a $15 million general fund transfer to the School Nutrition Program and fully funds an $8.8 million step increase for all district employees. APS also reported an 86% reduction in its reliance on reserve funds, a move officials said points to improved financial sustainability. A new facilities master planning process is underway to address long-term infrastructure needs across the district's 87 learning sites. Atlanta Public Schools serves approximately 50,000 students across neighborhood, partner, charter, and alternative schools. What they're saying "This budget reflects a focused and deliberate approach, leaning into what's working and strategically abandoning what's not," said Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson. "We are maximizing resources in ways that directly propel our students forward, while simultaneously being diligent stewards of taxpayer dollars." "The ABOE's priority is to ensure that every dollar is used effectively to support student success," said Katie Howard, chair of the board's Budget Commission. "This budget, which reduced central office spend and put more money towards schools, reflects our educational goals and priorities as well as positions us to further improve as we focus on student outcomes." The Source Atlanta Public Schools provided the details for this article.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Thiran initiative for Class 6-8 students to begin in July
In an effort to improve government school students' proficiency in Tamil, English and Math, the school education department will introduce the Thiran initiative in July. According to officials from the department, a baseline survey will be conducted when the academic year begins in June and students who haven't attained the minimum education level for the standard will be taken under the initiative. 'As students move up the education ladder, the pressure to show results increases. There's Ennum Ezhuthum for class 1-5. From Class 10 onwards, the students focus on exams. The need to pass the students in the exams takes precedence. There is a need to address the students effectively in Class 6 onwards. This approach will help the student go above than just pass as we identify students who need help from the first step,' said Director of Elementary Education P.A. Naresh. The State-level Achievement Survey showed a dip in the learning outcomes of students in English, Tamil and Math in Class 8 while it was the highest in Class 3. Recognising the need to bridge the gap between the classes, the six-month initiative will run parallel to their schooling during school hours as students catch up with the necessary basics in foundational literacy and numeracy. 'The approach will be customised on curriculum and language needs of the student and the schools in the district. A monthly review meeting will be held at the district-level and State-level to check the progress. A mid-line survey will be conducted in September to check the progress,' he added. The student will be then moved to mainstream education once they achieve the learning goals. 'The initiative not only focuses on knowledge but also critical thinking. There will also be an end-line survey held at the end of six months to check the progress of the student,' the official added.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Head of Math in Karnataka's Belagavi arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl
On Saturday, authorities in Karnataka's Belagavi announced the arrest of Hathayogi Lokeshwar Swami, a 30-year-old head of Ram Mandir Math in Mekali village, Raibag taluk, following allegations of kidnapping and repeatedly raping a 17-year-old girl. Also Read - Bengaluru villa horror: Tenants harassed, locked out, threatened with false cases The arrest took place on Thursday after the minor lodged a complaint detailing the horrific ordeal that began on May 13. According to the police, the victim was brought to the Math by her family, who had been advised by relatives that the swami could heal her illness and resolve her troubles through spiritual means. In her statement, the girl revealed that on May 13, while she was returning home from a relative's place, the accused offered her a ride, only to abduct her instead. She alleged that over the next two days, from May 13 to May 15, Lokeshwar Swami raped her multiple times in lodges located in Raichur and Bagalkot. After the assaults, he reportedly abandoned her at the Mahalingpur bus stand, threatening to kill her if she spoke about the incident to anyone, a senior officer disclosed. The crime came to light a few days later when the traumatized girl confided in her father, who urged her to report the matter to the authorities. Also Read - Zepto delivery agent assaults customer in Bengaluru after address dispute, case registered Following her complaint, a case was filed under the relevant provisions of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, leading to the swami's arrest on Thursday, the police confirmed. More details will be revealed after the primary investigation. In a similar incident earlier, chief pontiff of Murugha Math Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, faced charges of sexual abuse of minor girls in his Math located in the state. He was later released on the bail.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- The Hindu
Religious leader held under POCSO charges
Belagavi police arrested the head of a religious institution on charges of repeated rape on a minor girl. Officers from Mudalagi police station arrested Hathayogi Lokeshwar Swami of Ram Mandir Mutt in Mekali village of Raibag taluk on Thursday (May 22, 2025). The victim complained to the police that the swami kidnapped her and repeatedly raped her in lodges in Raichur and Bagalkot. He left her at the Mahalingpur bus stand and threatened to kill her in case she revealed the offence to anyone. The victim is the daughter of a devotee. Her family took her to the Mutt as some family members believed their illness could be cured by the swami. The accused picked her up in the guise of giving her a lift when she was walking home from a relative's house in a village. The alleged offence was committed on May 13, 14 and 15. She took some time to complain to her father, who encouraged her to file a police complaint. Initially, a complaint was filed at a police station in the Bagalkot district. It was later transferred to Belagavi district, police said. Police have registered a case under some provisions of POCSO Act and BNS. The accused hailed from a village in Kalaburagi district and had set up a Math after a local farmer donated some land, villagers told the police. Following a tip-off from villagers, police raided the math and found some weapons like machetes and rods. Some villagers have told the police that the swami was involved in black magic and supported illegal betting practices like Matka. SP Bheemashankar S Guled told reporters in Belagavi on Saturday that the accused was produced in court and sent to the Hindalaga prison after the court remanded him in judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Forest is the stepping stone to leading a beautiful life: Khandre
Belur: Avoiding imitation of the West, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwara B Khandre called on today's youth to uphold our ancient and rich heritage. Speaking after inaugurating the Dashamanotsava programme of Sri Hulikallu Veerabhadreshwaraswamy Temple in Gonisomanahalli, Halebidu Hobli, he said that the Hoysalas who ruled Karunad flourished art in stone. They made a great contribution to the artistic heritage. He said that the heritage of Karnataka is rich and it needs to be made known to today's youth. Basavadi Sharan advocated the idea of equality and social justice for all in the 12th century, and his contribution to social change was unparalleled. He said that the contribution made by the Veerashaiva Lingayat Math to the progress of modern Karnataka was also unparalleled. He said that our Math, which provides shelter, food and letters to everyone without any discrimination of caste, religion or ethnicity, has made a great contribution to the field of education and health. Children should be introduced to culture. Today, young people are becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs. If mothers teach their children the verses from childhood, they will have a vision of life. The lives of children will be good, he said. Eshwar Khandre, who asserted that humans can survive as long as there is forest, if there is forest, there will be rain, if there is forest, there will be more green cover, it will be a stepping stone to a beautiful life in this era of global warming and climate change. 'Our ancestors saved the natural environment by building temples on hills and mountains. Since the temples are on hills, no one has destroyed those hills and mountains. He said that the foresight of our ancestors is invaluable.' He said that he has come to Hassan district for the 7th time after becoming the Forest Minister and is making sincere efforts to control the human-wildlife conflict here. Member of Parliament Shreyas Patel, MLA HK Suresh, former MLA Lingesh and others participated in the program. Sri Guruparadeshikendra Mahaswamiji of Keragodi Rangapur, Tiptur taluk, Pushpagiri Maha Sansthan, Somashekar Shivacharya Mahaswamiji of Halebidu were present.
