Meredith reiterated the fact that K-12 and Higher Education are not at war. Meredith s message, which is being reiterated by Presidents Franz, Reynolds, Sorensen and leadership of the Council of Presidents, clarifies the facts about endowments, reserves, and tuition. Higher Ed leaders are also debunking the AEA s claims that K-12 students are relegated to attending classes in tin cans, as depicted in the massive AEA ad campaign. It is important to remember that a 1998 state bond issue, mandated by Governor Siegelman, called for replacement of all portables in K-12 schools. This process is ongoing and in many school systems the portables have already been replaced.
New construction is under way at other schools to get rid of the remaining portables.
We strongly support these and other efforts to improve K-12 education in Alabama. By maintaining a unified Higher Ed position on proration and the 2001 budget and through the aggressive participation of the entire Higher Ed community faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni we can achieve the goal of fair and equitable funding. Otherwise, we can be relegated to the status of second-class citizens. Legislation votes to remember The Alabama House adjourned Friday without passing education funding measures. Dr. Paul Hubbert s attempt to have K-12 teachers and support staff given priority over Higher Ed employees was stopped.