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Senate approves Department of Public Instruction budget with targeted changes
Summary
The Senate adopted amendments to the Department of Public Instruction budget bill (House Bill 10‑13), approving staffing and program funding adjustments including tech and vision FTEs, reading supports, free‑and‑reduced lunch changes and a reallocation of PowerSchool licensing funds; the bill passed 45‑2 on final passage.
MADAM PRESIDENT — The Senate approved Senate amendments to House Bill 10‑13, the appropriation bill for the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), after an extended floor explanation of staffing, grants and footnote changes.
Senator Jason Scheibley, carrying the bill for the Senate, reviewed a range of line‑item decisions: modest FTE increases for the center for distance education and residential schools, a technology FTE for vision services in year two, continuation and one‑time grants for literacy, dyslexia awareness training, teacher recruitment and Native American curriculum updates, and adjustments to the formula funding mix using foundation aid stabilization and carryover funds.
Scheibley also explained footnotes that direct one‑time funding to stabilization and reserve sources, and a reallocation of $5.7 million in PowerSchool licensing to a new IT system line. He said ongoing pass‑through grants and certain pilot projects were reduced or not included based on committee review.
Questions on Waterford pre‑K, PowerSchool, and program details were raised from the floor; committee members answered that Waterford was handled in Human Services this session and that $5.7 million was reappropriated for the new student information system.
The Senate adopted the proposed amendments and, on final passage, recorded 45 ayes, 2 nays; the bill passed.
