F316001B23A7E474872588FB0069013E Hearing Summary

Mr. Jake Baus, Legislative Legal Services, and Ms. Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to discuss the bill draft process.

Chair McCluskie moved
the committee draft a bill to redesign the school finance formula that
includes a formula: driven by a student-centered approach with a focus
on equity and opportunity for all learners, including At-Risk, English
Language Learners, and Gifted/Talented Learners; recognize and work toward
improved funding to address the unique needs of rural, remote, and small
or sparse school districts; work toward an improved and targeted approach
in supporting high cost of living areas of the state and create a new approach
to cost of living adjustments;consider as redesign for funding schools
with declining enrollment and or significant shifts in enrollment; consider
and review the funding of charter schools with a student-centered approach;
additional formula considerations in fifth/sixth year programs like ASCENT,
Early Colleges, PTech, certificates, internships and etc.; consider an
extended or phased timeline for the implementation of a new school finance
formula to support the transition from the current formula to a new formula,
and the system design for the new defintion (s) of At-Risk; and allow for
additional changes or additions to the  school finance formula as
the committee works through modeling ideas with legislators, educators,
and other public education partners.



Committee discussion
on the proposed bill draft ensued.

Committee discussion on facility schools and potential legislation.