Conference committee shifts K-12 funding mix, sets aside $100 million for school construction

The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division conference committee met to reconcile differences in the Department of Public Instruction budget language and funding for the K‑12 biennium, focusing on how to allocate the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund and carryover dollars and on proposals to fund school construction.

Senator Shibley, who led the committee discussion of the DPI long- and short-sheets, said the committee set an order for fund sources used to pay the integrated per-pupil payment: first the Common Schools Trust Fund, second available carryover, and third the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund. He said the committee identified $233 million in available SIF resources and proposed directing $100 million of that toward school construction and $133 million to per-pupil payments, with remaining needs covered by general funds. Senator Shibley described ongoing items as candidates for general-fund support and one-time items for SIF funding.

The move changes how several line items are funded compared with House and Senate versions. Senator Shibley said the committee made formula and funding-source adjustments to preserve revenue neutrality where possible, and to limit the budgetary impact of formula changes to about $2 million…