How to fix it:

• Increase teacher pay to regional averages to improve recruitment and retention

• Establish stable, long-term school funding formulas to avoid yearly uncertainty

• Expand career and technical education (CTE) and workforce readiness programs

• Reduce classroom sizes in early grades

Measures to support it:

• Dedicated education funding streams are protected from budget cuts

• Teacher retention incentives (loan forgiveness, housing assistance)

• Partnerships between schools, local businesses, and trade programs

• Increased funding for classroom materials and modern technology