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Beware unintended consequences of large infusions of funding. Coming out of the $190B federal investment in K-12:

On the Esser extension clawback: -Irrelevant for majority of districts that already spent it all -Doesn't affect $ for district staff -Impact is entirely for vendors/contracts. More facilities projects but some tutoring/after care/PD vendors -Some for EANS ($ for private schools)

1/3 More well-deserved praise for Marguerite Roza and Edunomics Lab' paper on the gross inadequacy of #k12 district boards' budget discussions... #edchat #suptchat #edpolicy the74million.org/article/new-re…

Many boards devote as little as 15 minutes to weighing spending trade-offs and impacts on student outcomes each year. Indeed, as millions of $s are allocated, half don’t ask any Qs at all” The 74 covers our recent study of school board budget meetings: the74million.org/article/new-re…

When it comes to staffing, focus on quality over quantity. See "How to cure an ESSER hangover" in today's Edunomics Lab newsletter: mailchi.mp/6debf8bb3c3c/h…

WA state's 8th grade math scores fell from 12th in the country to 25th. Yes, time for a course correction. seattletimes.com/opinion/editor…

Financial outlook for K12 is getting messy: ESSER clawback = real $ for some Resisting DEI, Title IX changes risks fed $ Medicaid may be trimmed Fewer immigrant kids =less $ for some And a new one: Recession risk now >50% in 2025 (per Polymarkt) would squeeze $400B in state $.

Thanks to EdSource for hosting a great conversation on challenges facing CA districts. Marguerite Roza lays out the financial outlook:

Feds want states to certify their schools have ended DEI by Thursday or risk losing fed $. 1/3 confirm yes 1/3 will decline 1/3 we don't know yet Will be a legal battle. Map per Education Week

Rapidly changing financial risks for K12: Which fed funds are legitimately at risk? Which aren’t? Which states/districts have more to lose? What other factors are worth watching? We’ll cover in a 30-min webinar Tues Apr 29, 12 ET / 9 PT Register here: georgetown.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Join our 30-min webinar Tues. 4/29: Federal and other financial risks for K12 in the months ahead georgetown.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

“‘As far as industries go, K-12 education is less affected by tariffs,’ Marguerite Roza says. That said, tariffs can drag on the economy and the state revenues that play a major role in school districts’ finances.”

Here's the link to recording and slides from our 30-min webinar yesterday on K12 financial risks: edunomicslab.org/2025/04/29/fed…

You get hacked. You pay cyber ransom. Hackers then return the data. That's the deal (scammy as it is). Until now. Powerschool paid. But hackers are now using that data to extort other districts. Why would anyone ever pay again? Paging: FBI k12dive.com/news/powerscho…

Let's face it: Ed finance is messy right now. We can help you sort it all out with a Georgetown Certificate in Ed Finance. We're gearing up for a great cohort in Kansas City on June 10-11. edunomicslab.org/certificate-in…

Prioritizing teacher quality is possible. And it doesn't mean throwing out the traditional pay scale or resorting to unpopular merit bonuses. Some school systems are already doing it. See today's Edunomics newsletter: mailchi.mp/3cf64c47e1d4/n…

Good news update: FBI has arrested the Powerschool cyber hacker who stole millions of student records. It was a 19 year old college student. justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/wor…

Haven't seen boards do this: Oakland USD trustees voted to cap how much the district could be spent on contracts w outside orgs at $125M. Perhaps a way to force more spending on labor? Could be a mess for vendors if more districts follow suit. oaklandside.org/2025/05/15/oak…

Fast-moving policy. Shrinking enrollments. Rising costs. W/A Sr. Advisor Marguerite Roza (Edunomics Lab) explains what’s happening in #K12finance and why districts need to plan with precision. whiteboardadvisors.com/fast-and-furio…

Had a great 20 min podcast convo on School Board Finances with Ballotpedia Listen in via On The Ballot podcast or on Youtube youtube.com/watch?v=SXQo3c…