House approves major K‑12 funding package, rejects micro‑school measure and narrower nomination changes

House of Representatives members approved a multi‑bill set of K‑12 education measures Friday that together raise the state’s school funding formula, add one‑time funding for programs and approve an education savings account plan, while rejecting a proposal to authorize micro‑schools and several party nominating reforms.

The package includes the K‑12 formula bill (House Bill 13‑69), the K‑12 budget in House Bill 10‑13, an amendment lowering the share of central assessed property included in the in‑lieu formula (House Bill 13‑81), and an education savings account program (House Bill 15‑40). The House passed the main formula bill 78‑12 and the K‑12 budget and related appropriations moved forward on final passage. A separate micro‑school bill (House Bill 14‑72) failed 41‑49.

Why it matters: The measures change how state aid is calculated and shift hundreds of millions in funding sources to support public school operations, construction assistance and program grants. Lawmakers debated funding sources, the pace of increases and the risks to smaller districts if enrollment shifts; the votes set the budget direction for the next two biennia.

Lawmakers amended the funding formula in House Bill 13‑69 to provide two scheduled 2% increases in per‑pupil payments during the next biennium and created options for districts to use a three‑year rolling average for enrollment counting to soften funding shocks. Representative Nathie, the bill sponsor, told colleagues the adjustments were intended to…