Otter on school funding…

In his budget proposal for public schools for next year, Gov. Butch Otter is calling for a $31.7 million increase in general funds, or 2.6 percent. That’s less than the 5 percent sought by state schools Supt. Tom Luna, but Otter also would parcel out another $26 million to schools for one-time pay boosts if state revenues meet their forecast, as part of an overall proposal to grant state employees one-time pay boosts on the same basis. For both state employees and public school employees, Otter would set aside money equal to merit-based raises of 3 percent, $41 million, though they’d be both conditional and one-time - employees would get the first half July 1 if the current fiscal year ends with revenue projections met or exceeded, and the second half Jan. 1, 2013 if revenues are still on target.

Otter told lawmakers his proposed budget for public schools, which have seen unprecedented cuts in recent years, is a “modest but targeted and responsible general fund increase.” He also lauded the “Students Come First” reform program and said it’ll be fully funded in his budget, including performance pay and technology boosts.