SB149
To Amend The Per-student Foundation Funding Amounts For The 2023-2024 And 2024-2025 School Years.
Last Action (May 1, 2023): Sine Die adjournment
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AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 149 amends the Public School Funding Act of 2003 by increasing the per-student foundation funding amounts for Arkansas public school districts. Specifically, the bill raises the funding amount to $8,195 per student for the 2023-2024 school year and $8,370 per student for the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Education advise all public school districts to establish a minimum hourly wage of $15.00 for all classified school employees. This minimum wage requirement is set to increase annually based on the growth percentage of the Consumer Price Index. The legislation aims to adjust state-level educational funding and set wage standards for non-certified school staff.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries include public school students who may receive additional resources and instructional support resulting from increased per-pupil funding. Furthermore, classified school employees, such as bus drivers, custodial staff, cafeteria workers, and administrative support staff, benefit from the establishment of a $15.00 minimum hourly wage and the provision for annual cost-of-living adjustments.
Who Might Suffer?
The bill may negatively impact state and local budgets, as the increased per-student foundation funding and the mandated minimum wage for classified staff necessitate higher expenditures for the state and individual school districts. School districts with constrained budgets may face financial pressure to reallocate funds to meet the new wage requirements or manage the administrative costs associated with these changes.
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