SB57

Senate Bill 57 is an appropriations act that establishes the budget and staffing levels for the Arkansas Department of Education - Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. It authorizes the hiring of up to 32 regular employees and 5 extra-help employees. The bill provides a total operational appropriation of $3,010,060 to cover salaries, personal services matching, operating expenses, and safety training. Additionally, it appropriates $215,340,489 for specific programs, including academic facilities partnerships and catastrophic facility assistance. The act includes special provisions for transferring funds related to the Open-Enrollment Public Charter School Facilities Loan Program and provides the Division Director with limited authority to make budgetary adjustments. Finally, it includes an emergency clause to ensure the appropriations are effective by July 1, 2024.