Mississippi House Bill HB334

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/25
• Refer: 1/10/25
• Failed: 2/4/25

Caption

Charter schools; require total funding formula funds to be transferred to student's home district when student disenrolls.

Impact

The passage of HB334 could have significant implications for the funding framework of charter schools and traditional public schools. By obligating charter schools to refund a portion of funding when students leave, the bill aims to prevent the financial strain that may be created for public school districts when students switch schools. It reflects the legislature's attempt to balance funding discrepancies that might arise when students leave charter schools mid-year, which has been a point of concern in previous discussions about how charter schools receive state funds.

Summary

House Bill 334 seeks to amend Section 37-28-55 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, specifically addressing funding for charter schools when students disenroll. The bill mandates that when a student leaves a charter school, the charter school is required to transfer a proportionate amount of total funding formula funds to the student's home school district for the remaining months of the school year. This change aims to ensure that school districts receive appropriate funding for students who are no longer enrolled in charter schools, thus supporting more equitable funding distribution among public schools in the state.

Contention

There may be contention surrounding this bill, particularly from advocates of charter schools who argue that such a requirement could deter families from choosing charter schools, as the financial impact could be severe if withdrawals are high. Critics may argue that it is essential for the integrity of the funding system within the education sector, ensuring that funding is more accurately aligned with student enrollment. The bill could spark debate about local versus state control over education funding and the effectiveness of charter schools in providing educational choices.