Alabama directs education funds to colleges and schools

The state provides $275.1 million to public higher education institutions and $570 million to local school boards and other listed education entities. The higher-education funds go to the listed Alabama institutions and entities. The Department of Education funds go to the listed local school systems, charter schools, state schools, and other recipients. The higher-education appropriation must be spent as provided in Section 29-9-4 of the Alabama Code. Department of Education funds may not be spent without prior approval from the State Superintendent of Education. Department of Education funds may also be used for debt service. The $2 million teacher professional-development allocation goes to Ed Farm's Classroom of Tomorrow program for technology tools and teacher training services. The appropriations are for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. Unspent funds do not revert and may be carried forward for their stated purposes.

The Department of Education distributes $4.9 million to the listed local school systems and entities for specified projects. Funding covers projects such as outdoor classrooms, school security cameras, repairs, career programs, workforce centers, and other projects named in the act. The money may be used despite the usual limits in Section 29-9-4 of the Alabama Code. Each listed recipient is tied to the project or purpose stated in the appropriation list. This appropriation applies to the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. Unspent funds do not revert and may be carried forward for their stated purposes.

The Department of Education awards matching grants to local education agencies for regional career technology centers. Applicants must be a partnership of at least two local education agencies or a local education agency and an Alabama Community College System community college. Grant proposals are reviewed and recommended by a committee appointed by the State Superintendent of Education. The required local match must reflect the agencies' financial capacity and may not exceed 50 percent of the project cost. The superintendent may favor applicants that previously received less than requested or received no grant under Act 2025-269. Total grant funding for one project may not exceed $20 million across all grant years. The grants support center development during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The act takes effect immediately after approval by the Governor or otherwise becoming law.