The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) is planning to request a $5.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2028. This proposal includes a $77.8 million increase, or 1.3%, over the department’s FY27 appropriation, with a primary goal of establishing dedicated funding lines for key education programs that have historically been supported by supplemental funds.
State Superintendent Eric Mackey indicated in an interview following a recent board meeting that securing these line items in the annual budget, particularly for programs such as school safety, security, and climate, would be a "big win." Mackey explained that the challenge with supplemental funding is that "it’s not memorialized," meaning these funds do not consistently appear in the budget year after year, despite being essential.
For school safety, security, and climate programs, the board plans to request $27.5 million from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) for FY28. These initiatives were previously funded through the ETF's supplemental appropriations, receiving $25 million in FY26 and $2.5 million in FY27.
Another significant request is $14 million for school breakfasts. This program was entirely funded through the supplemental budget in FY27, at $7.3 million. Superintendent Mackey told the board that the requested increase "would cover the gap for all schools to be able to offer breakfast," ensuring more consistent access for students across the state.
Transportation funding is also seeing a substantial proposed increase, with the department requesting $56.1 million more for its program, representing a 9.6% rise from its FY27 appropriation. This increase is largely driven by the impact of rising diesel fuel prices. According to AAA, the average price of diesel in Alabama reached $5.71 a gallon on a recent Thursday, marking the highest recorded average in the state. This figure compares to a national average of $5.98 per gallon, and significantly higher than the Alabama average of $3.46 a gallon one year prior. Superintendent Mackey expressed concern about the volatility, stating he had "no idea how we’ll get ahead of that if the price of diesel doesn’t stabilize between now and next year."
For approximately half of Alabama students, school buses represent their only option for getting to school, with routes in rural parts of the state sometimes exceeding an hour. Mackey emphasized the critical nature of this service, stating, "It’s a basic service. It’s got to be there for the kids to learn. They’ve got to get to school."
The Education Trust Fund, which primarily draws from state income tax, currently holds about $9.8 billion, according to data from the Legislative Services Agency’s fiscal dashboard. However, lawmakers and agencies have been warned that the ETF is experiencing a "tightening," and that FY28 is anticipated to be a "very, very challenging budget" year for the General Fund.
The ALSDE board is set to approve its final budget request in October. Adjustments may still be made as finalized school data becomes available this fall and as a new administration takes office. The Alabama Legislature will ultimately make the final decisions regarding the budget.
