Appropriation; MDE to assist parents in paying school districts for cost of lost/damaged electronic devices assigned to students.
Impact
The passage of HB 782 is projected to improve access to necessary educational resources for at-risk students, thereby aiding in their educational attainment. By providing parents with financial assistance for electronic devices, the bill seeks to alleviate some of the burdens that families face, allowing for a more equitable distribution of educational resources. The allocation requires that local school districts also match the funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis, thereby encouraging shared financial responsibility between the state and local districts.
Summary
House Bill 782 aims to allocate financial resources to support at-risk public school students in Mississippi. Specifically, the bill appropriates a total of $3 million from the State General Fund to the State Department of Education. This funding is intended to help parents who are struggling to cover costs associated with lost, stolen, or damaged electronic devices assigned to students under the K-12 educational one-to-one program. The bill reflects an acknowledgment of the increasing reliance on technology in education, particularly in programs aimed at supporting students at risk of academic failure based on free or reduced lunch eligibility.
Contention
While the bill presents a significant opportunity to assist vulnerable students, discussions around its implications have highlighted potential areas of contention. Some stakeholders may argue about the sufficiency of the funding or the dependency on parents for expenses related to school technology. Additional points of debate may arise regarding the matching requirement for local school districts, which could impact financially struggling districts disproportionately. These concerns indicate a need for further dialogue about sustainable funding strategies for educational technology, as well as addressing the specific needs of at-risk student populations.
House Substitute for SB 113 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the department of education for FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25; establishing the mental health intervention team program; authorizing certain students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association; requiring school districts to post certain enrollment and academic information on school district websites; revising school district open-enrollment procedures; authorizing local school board members to receive compensation from their school district; authorizing current-year student enrollment for determinations of state foundation aid; continuing the 20 mill statewide tax levy for schools; amending the school districts that qualify for and the amount that school districts are able to levy pursuant to the cost-of-living weighting.
Relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor.
Appropriations: school aid; fiscal year 2023-2024 appropriations for K-12 school aid; provide for. Amends secs. 11 & 17b of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 & 388.1617b).
To provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; and to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds to the Executive and Legislative Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.