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Jamestown schools briefed on state education bills, funding changes and proposed cell-phone restriction
Summary
At its May 5 meeting, the Jamestown Public School Board was briefed on state education legislation — including a new charter-school law, a 2.5% K–12 funding increase from conference committee action, property-tax reform with a new 3% dollar-growth limit, and proposed limits on student cell phones — and was advised to prepare policy responses.
During the superintendent’s report on May 5 the Jamestown Public School Board received an overview of education-related bills and fiscal changes from the recently concluded North Dakota legislative session.
Staff reported that Senate Bill 2241 — described in the meeting as legislation expanding public-school options by adding charter-school law — passed. Legislative proposals for education savings accounts or vouchers were defeated or vetoed. The board was told that the K–12 funding formula (referred to in the meeting as Bill 1369) will yield an increase lower than some district advocates sought: conference committee action produced a 2.5% increase in per-pupil funding rather than a hoped-for 3% or a three-year rolling average for declining-enrollment schools.
Staff also flagged property-tax reform measures that add a 3% limit in dollars on levy increases year-to-year (excluding new growth). Presenters warned the new-growth calculation will require clear statewide auditor guidance because auditors will implement the rule and interpretations may vary. The report described the potential tension of a 2.5% per-pupil funding increase alongside a 3% dollar-limit on levies for districts with declining enrollment.
The superintendent’s report also referenced Bill 1160 (described in the meeting as the student-device or cell-phone bill), which would require districts to adopt policies limiting student electronic devices. Staff said the district will need to develop policy and protocols if the legislation becomes law.
Board members received the update; no formal action was taken on legislation during the meeting. The superintendent highlighted teacher appreciation and recognized Tiffany Dooley, a Jamestown Middle School teacher, for receiving a state student-council advisor award.
