The determination of state aid, boarding care costs, the coal development trust fund, the school construction assistance revolving loan fund, public improvement construction, bonds from contractors for public improvements, and school district levies; and to provide an effective date.
Impact
The bill's enactment is expected to recalibrate the way school districts receive state aid by establishing baseline funding tied to historical data. It will support financial sustainability for districts by allowing them to levy reasonable taxes while also providing a streamlined process for acquiring low-interest loans for necessary construction projects. This is anticipated to ease the financial burden on local governments and ensure that educational facilities are adequately maintained and developed to meet student needs.
Summary
House Bill 1369 is a North Dakota legislative proposal aimed at amending various sections of the North Dakota Century Code to optimize the determination of state aid for school districts, manage boarding care costs for students with disabilities, and provide a more structured framework for school construction financing. The bill includes stipulations regarding school district levies and the provision of loans for improvement projects, which align with the evolving educational landscape and fiscal challenges faced by the state's school systems.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 1369 appears to be largely supportive among advocates for educational reform. Legislators view the measures as essential for enhancing school funding structures while addressing accountability in financial management. Critics, however, may express concern about potential disparities in funding allocations across different districts, particularly those that may struggle to meet new funding criteria or those that face difficulties in raising local taxes.
Contention
Some contention arises over how the proposed changes to state aid calculations might disproportionately favor larger districts that have better resources or historical tax revenue compared to smaller or rural districts. Additionally, the efficacy of allowing more significant local control over funding strategies through levies could raise debates about equity in educational access and quality across the state.
Baseline funding and the determination of state school aid, loans from the coal development trust fund, and evidences of indebtedness; to provide an appropriation; to provide for retroactive application; and to provide an effective date.
School district enrollment, the definition of "probationary teacher", a school district's policy governing possession of a weapon, the definition of "dangerous weapon", modification of weighting factors, transition maximums and an increase in per student payments, and the school construction revolving loan fund; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; to provide for an exemption; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.
The salary of the superintendent of public instruction, baseline funding, high-cost students, and regional library cooperative definitions; to provide for a transfer; to provide for reports; to provide an exemption; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
Loans from the coal development trust fund for school construction projects affected by unanticipated construction inflation; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.
The homestead tax credit and income tax rates for individuals, estates, and trusts; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.
A transfer of Bank of North Dakota profits to a water infrastructure revolving loan fund; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a report; to provide a penalty; to provide for application; to provide a retroactive effective date; to provide a contingent effective date; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
Baseline funding and the determination of state school aid, loans from the coal development trust fund, and evidences of indebtedness; to provide an appropriation; to provide for retroactive application; and to provide an effective date.
School district enrollment, the definition of "probationary teacher", a school district's policy governing possession of a weapon, the definition of "dangerous weapon", modification of weighting factors, transition maximums and an increase in per student payments, and the school construction revolving loan fund; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; to provide for an exemption; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.
The option for a school district to reduce its local contribution deduction in the school state aid formula by the percentage of the local contribution which comes from in lieu of revenue.