Lawmakers give final approval to education budget

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers have given final approval to an education trust fund budget that includes a 4% pay increase for K-12 teachers and other public school employees.

Lawmakers on Friday gave final approval to the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The bill now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey's desk.

The budget, which is fueled by sales and income taxes, has just now rebounded past pre-recession levels of 2008. The $7.1 billion education trust fund budget would be the largest in state history although it still lags 2008 levels when adjusted for inflation.

The budget steers an additional $26.8 million to the state's prekindergarten program. It will also add about 250 teachers in grades four through six as part of an effort to reduce classroom sizes.