State Aid; directing school districts that qualify for certain weight to use funds for certain purpose. Effective date. Emergency.
Impact
The changes proposed in SB709 are designed to create a more equitable approach to funding across various school districts, particularly those with varying levels of average daily membership. Notably, the bill establishes that the weighted calculations will be based on the higher weighted average daily membership from either the current or previous school year. Additionally, districts experiencing significant drops in membership are afforded a tailored calculation to prevent their financial resources from drastically diminishing.
Summary
Senate Bill 709 focuses on the distribution of state aid to school districts in Oklahoma. It amends existing legislation to dictate how weighted membership is calculated for schools when determining their eligibility for foundation aid and salary incentive aid. This bill specifies that school funding calculations should include weighted assessments across multiple categories, including pupil grade level, pupil category, district calculations, and teacher experience and degree metrics, starting from the 2020-2021 school year.
Contention
The most significant point of contention arises from how the bill mandates that school districts qualifying for specific weight categories, such as 'bilingual' pupils, must direct funds received towards professional development for teachers instructing in English as a second language. Some argue that this restriction may limit the flexibility of districts in using the aid to meet diverse educational needs and challenges they face. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the potential impact on less populated districts that could struggle under new funding criteria, especially if they do not meet the thresholds set by the weighted calculations.
State Aid; directing State Aid to be calculated based on the average daily membership of a district's first nine weeks beginning in certain school year; providing for transitional grants. Effective date. Emergency.
State Aid; directing State Aid to be calculated based on the average daily membership of a district's first nine weeks beginning in certain school year; providing for transitional grants. Effective date. Emergency.
Charter schools; renaming the Charter Schools Incentive Fund; directing transfer of certain remaining balance; modifying certain calculation. Effective date. Emergency.
Charter schools; renaming the Charter Schools Incentive Fund; directing transfer of certain remaining balance; modifying certain calculation. Effective date. Emergency.
Schools; directing the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to make certain school accreditation determinations until certain date. Effective date. Emergency.
Schools; directing the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to make certain school accreditation determinations until certain date. Effective date. Emergency.
Schools; state student record system; request for proposals; requirements; State Board of Education to procure certain system by certain date; fund usage; State Aid Formula; calculation; effective date; emergency.
Schools; state student record system; request for proposals; requirements; State Board of Education to procure certain system by certain date; fund usage; State Aid Formula; calculation; effective date; emergency.
Schools; directing the State Board of Education to issue a request for proposals for a statewide student information system. Effective date. Emergency.
Schools; directing the State Board of Education to issue a request for proposals for a statewide student information system. Effective date. Emergency.
School aid: membership; requirements concerning counting pupils in membership; modify for pupils enrolled in certain work-based learning experiences. Amends secs. 6 & 11 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1606 & 388.1611) & adds sec. 61e.
School aid: membership; requirements concerning counting pupils in membership; modify for pupils enrolled in certain work-based learning experiences. Amend secs. 6 & 11 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1606 & 388.1611) & adds sec. 61e.
Exempts the Cody Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. within the town of Granby, Oswego county, from the requirement that the percentage of non-resident fire department members not exceed forty-five percent of the membership.
Exempts the East Concord Fire Department, Inc. from the requirement that the percentage of non-resident fire department members not exceed forty-five percent of the membership.
Exempts the Cody Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. within the town of Granby, Oswego county, from the requirement that the percentage of non-resident fire department members not exceed forty-five percent of the membership.