School funding; modifying calculation of State Aid; directing certain budget request to include certain amount of protested ad valorem tax revenues. Effective date.
Summary
Senate Bill 963 seeks to modify the calculation methods for State Aid allocated to school districts in Oklahoma. The bill stipulates that the initial allocation of State Aid should be determined based on state-dedicated revenues collected during the previous fiscal year, adjusted assessed valuations, and the average daily membership of students in each district. The inclusion of a specific reference to the amounts of protested ad valorem taxes in budget requests is a significant change aimed at providing more clarity in the funding process for education.
Starting from the 2024-2025 school year, the calculation for State Aid will also incorporate factors around uncollectible ad valorem taxes. If taxes are deemed uncollectible due to factors such as bankruptcy or successful tax protests, this will directly affect the amount of State Aid a district can receive. Additionally, any school district's total assessed valuation will be adjusted accordingly to account for these losses.
The intent behind this legislation is to enhance transparency and accuracy in the manner that educational funding is calculated and distributed among local school districts. Supporters of the bill believe that this will allow school districts to better plan their budgets and will ensure that educational resources are allocated fairly according to the needs determined by actual revenue collected.
Notably, the bill has generated discussion and potential contention over how the modification of State Aid calculations could impact individual school districts differently, particularly those with significant amounts of protested ad valorem taxes. There are concerns that districts heavily reliant on this revenue might face funding challenges if their tax collections do not meet expectations. Stakeholders within education are encouraged to adjust their budgeting and financial planning processes in light of the changes outlined in SB963.
School funding; modifying calculation of State Aid; directing certain budget request to include certain amount of protested ad valorem tax revenues. Effective date.
School funding; modifying calculation of State Aid; directing certain budget request to include certain amount of protested ad valorem tax revenues. Effective date.
School funding; modifying calculation of State Aid; directing certain budget request to include certain amount of protested ad valorem tax revenues. Effective date.
Schools; allocation of State Aid; calculation of weighted membership; modifying certain category weights; modifying calculation of small school district formula; effective date; emergency.
Schools; allocation of State Aid; calculation of weighted membership; modifying certain category weights; modifying calculation of small school district formula; effective date; emergency.
Charter schools; renaming the Charter Schools Incentive Fund; directing transfer of certain remaining balance; modifying certain calculation. Effective date. Emergency.
School funding; State Aid; calculation; increasing percentages of allowable general fund carryover; weighted calculations; effective date; conditional effect.
State employee health insurance; funding to provide flexible benefit allowance; professional risk management program; continuance of health and dental insurance benefits; rates and benefits; disability insurance program for state employees; collections; flexible benefit revolving fund; flexible benefit dollars in the State Employees Benefits Act; effective date.
Schools; making an appropriation to the State Board of Education; establishing minimum salary schedule; modifying State Aid weights; effective date; emergency.
Schools; making an appropriation to the State Board of Education; establishing minimum salary schedule; modifying State Aid weights; effective date; emergency.
Schools; modifying goals of certain programs; modifying eligibility for certain higher education programs; adding references to Classic Learning Test; effective date; emergency.
School funding; school district general funds; general fund carryover; State Aid; calculation of per pupil revenue; exceptions; effective date; emergency.