As Katy Xenakis-Makowski welcomed students back to Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools this week, she was frustrated that the state legislature still hasn't passed an education budget.

That means superintendents like Xenakis-Makowski are left to guess what level of funding they will receive from the state for the 2025-26 school year.

"It is simply ridiculous that the state has not worked out a plan for the budget as we barrel towards Labor Day," she said. "The hard-working families of our region and the state deserve to not be concerned about whether the school meals will be funded, whether there are enough staff members, whether districts can pay their bills. They paid their taxes (and) the legislature has the responsibility to set a budget and to comply with the law."

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