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Committee advances bill requiring school districts and charters to publish prior year general ledger
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Summary
SB1625, amended in committee, would require each school district and charter school to publish the previous year’s general ledger on its website annually; supporters called it a simple transparency step and the committee advanced the bill as amended.
The Senate Education Committee advanced SB1625 (as amended) on Feb. 11, requiring each school district and charter school to post a copy of the previous fiscal year’s general ledger on its website annually by Oct. 1.
Sponsor Senator Amanda Warner said the change mirrors transparency portals used in other states and would make check‑register information available for parents, board members and the public. An earlier, broader draft would have required ADOA to display every general‑ledger entry on a state portal; the committee adopted a two‑page amendment directing districts and charters to post the prior year’s general ledger on their own websites instead.
Supporters: Education policy groups and transparency advocates testified in favor. Michael Brickman of Cicero Action said parents and leaders need accessible information on district expenditures and vendors.
Concerns and scope: Witnesses noted exclusions for confidential taxpayer or personal data preserved in statute. The amendment narrows the mechanism while keeping the transparency aim.
Vote: The committee adopted the two‑page amendment and then recorded a 4–3 vote to advance the amended bill. Supporters said the change is low‑cost and modeled on existing state portals.
