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As national education spending per pupil increases, student enrollment is declining, raising concerns about the effectiveness of taxpayer dollars in public schools. Since 2002, K-12 spending has surged by over 35%, yet enrollment has dropped by 2.1%, equating to over a million students lost in five years. Test scores are also falling, with only one-third of students achieving proficiency in reading, according to the National Assessment Governing Board. Despite record spending, including New York's $32,284 per pupil in 2024, educational outcomes remain stagnant. The report by Reason Foundation highlights that public school spending is nearing $1trn annually, yet the achievement gap continues to widen.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

The New Jersey Legislature has passed a bill mandating strict cellphone restrictions in K-12 schools, which Governor Phil Murphy supports. The legislation, known as S3695, requires the state Department of Education to create guidelines for local school boards to limit internet-enabled device usage during school hours. Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie, a sponsor of the bill, said: “The goal of this bill is to ensure that students are fully engaged in learning while they are in the classroom.” Currently, many public school districts have varying policies on cellphone use, but the new law aims to standardize these rules. Exceptions will be allowed for educational purposes. The bill is expected to be signed by Murphy before he leaves office on January 20. A recent report highlighted the negative effects of social media on adolescents, recommending a “bell-to-bell ban” on cellphone use in schools.

 

New Jersey Herald

NJ.com

New Jersey's Inter-district Public School Choice Program has seen little change over the years, with participation averaging around 5,000 students annually. Despite its aim to allow students to attend schools outside their home districts, the program has been hindered by funding issues and a lack of expansion. The program is currently budgeted for $62m, and has been capped at 5% growth annually since 2012-13, limiting its ability to meet demand. While some districts have seen significant participation, many others remain inactive. Supporters argue that expanding the program could help desegregate schools and provide more educational options, particularly in areas like Newark, where enrollment has increased by nearly 20% in the last five years. However, experts warn that such expansion could strain district budgets, especially in districts heavily reliant on state aid.

 

NJ.com

As Zohran Mamdani prepares to lead New York City's public schools starting January 1, he faces significant challenges, including high chronic absenteeism and declining enrollment. Mamdani has promised to involve New Yorkers more in decision-making and reduce his own power over the school system. Experts, educators, and parents have shared innovative ideas for reform, such as NeQuan McLean's proposal for a School District Redistricting Commission to address enrollment issues and Evan Stone's suggestion to launch a 311 service for parent inquiries. "We should rethink the relationships with families across the system," Stone said. Other recommendations include extending student advising post-graduation and ensuring equitable access to arts education. The community is eager to see how Mamdani will implement these ideas to improve the educational landscape.

 

Chalkbeat

Cook County is facing a property tax crisis as officials struggle to distribute tax revenues to local schools, libraries, and parks. Property owners have been paying their bills since mid-November, but funds have yet to reach the taxing bodies. "I'm embarrassed and appalled that we're not done yet," said Chief Technology Officer Tom Lynch, acknowledging the delays caused by issues with the property tax system upgrade managed by Tyler Technologies. School districts are feeling the financial strain, with many resorting to borrowing to cover operating costs. Erin Murphy, superintendent of West Northfield School District 31, noted that 94% of her revenue comes from property taxes, and delays are forcing districts to consider additional borrowing. Meanwhile, a group of pastors is advocating for property tax relief, highlighting the burden on residents facing steep increases. The situation remains tense as officials work to resolve the distribution delays.

 

Chicago Tribune

Evergreen Park Elementary District 124 is facing significant challenges in securing funding for its facilities, particularly the aging Central Middle School. Superintendent Jenna Woodland stated that community support for a proposed $110m facilities plan was insufficient, with only 56% of parents in favor, falling short of the 70% needed for a referendum. “What I ultimately think happened is it was a very, very large financial ask of our community,” Woodland said. The district plans to prioritize improvements within its budget, focusing on Central Middle School, which has serious health and safety concerns, including ADA compliance issues. Woodland emphasized the need for better facilities, stating: “Our largest concern always goes back to ADA compliance and making sure that we're meeting the overarching safety concerns of kids.” The district aims to present a revised proposal in January, with the next referendum opportunity in November 2026.

 

Chicago Tribune

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Hawaii's first charter schools, which began as a response to the needs of local communities. Students at Namahana Charter School engage in hands-on learning, collecting data on river water quality, reflecting the charter movement's focus on creativity and community involvement. However, despite the growth of charter schools, overall student achievement has not significantly improved, with less than half of charter students proficient in English and nearly a third in math. Catherine Payne, former chair of the state charter school commission, noted: “There was this sense that the charters are going to be in competition, and that was unfortunate.” As Hawaii's charter schools evolve, they continue to face challenges in collaboration with traditional public schools and measuring success beyond standardized tests.

 

U.S. News

In Brown County, WI, small private schools like Morrison Zion Lutheran, led by multi-role principal Jacob Geidel, operate with limited staff and mixed-age classrooms to keep costs down and education personal. These schools serve under 100 students each, many in rural communities, relying on church support and early childhood programs to remain viable. While enrollment has stayed relatively stable since 2019, even minor student loss brings outsized financial strain. “You lose too many kids, and all of a sudden you've got to shut your doors,” said Phil Hochmuth, principal at St. John's Lutheran in Maribel.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

The Green Bay Area Public School District proposed a pilot program for weapons detectors in high schools to enhance safety, but the school board voted 5-2 against it. Board President James Lyerly expressed concerns, stating, "there's more questions than answers" regarding the program. The proposal followed a September incident where a student brought a handgun to school, prompting discussions on safety measures. Superintendent Vicki Bayer suggested the pilot, which would rotate detectors among four high schools, but board members raised doubts about its effectiveness and cost. Board member Andrew Becker noted that "many of the types of school shootings . . .  would not be stopped by a weapons detector." Despite the rejection, Lyerly assured that the district would continue exploring other safety measures. "We are in a situation where, if we're going to spend money, we need that value," he said.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

In the latest installment of School Bus Fleet's Biz Briefs, key developments in the school bus industry are highlighted. Transportant has expanded its safety technology to three Arkansas districts, integrating it into 60 buses. Jason Salmons, transportation director for Bentonville Schools, noted a "60% reduction in parent calls" and a "100% success rate in correctly dropping children off at their stops." Meanwhile, HopSkipDrive launched the Caregiver Great Start Program to enhance trust with caregivers through proactive communication. ATWEC Technologies introduced the ZenCAM Plus AI dashcam, which offers advanced safety features. EverDriven celebrated nearly 2.5m rides in California, emphasizing its commitment to safe transportation. Tyler Technologies received 12 workplace awards, showcasing its dedication to innovation and employee satisfaction.

 

School Bus Fleet

A five-year-old's homework has gone viral, igniting discussions about the pressures teachers face. A TikTok video shared by a U.K. parent showcased a worksheet with a grammatical error in the instructions: "Its is their challenge for the weekend!" While some criticized the mistake, many defended the teacher, emphasizing the overwhelming workload educators endure. One early years teacher said, "I can guarantee that this teacher goes above and beyond every day for your child." A 2024 Pew Research Center analysis revealed that about 80% of U.S. teachers feel overworked, often taking their responsibilities home. The viral post has sparked a broader conversation about the human side of teaching and the challenges educators face daily.

 

Star-Telegram