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K-12 budget committee advances package adding funds for agency tracking, teacher mentoring, school safety and meals; sends childcare accelerator for further 고려
Summary
The House Committee on K‑12 Education Budget on Friday amended HB 2007 and forwarded a package of one‑time and ongoing adjustments — including funding to help the State Department of Education track at‑risk cohorts, a pay increase for the State Board of Education, grants for mentor teachers and school safety, and support for reduced meal co‑pays — and asked Appropriations to consider a separate $10 million childcare accelerator request.
The House Committee on K‑12 Education Budget voted Friday to forward its amended budget recommendation to Appropriations after a day of deliberations that produced a string of targeted funding actions.
The committee approved an amendment to HB 2007 adding $184,500 in state general funds (SGF) with no new FTE to help the State Department of Education implement provisions of 2024 House substitute for Senate Bill 387 related to tracking at‑risk student cohorts. The panel also adopted a separate amendment directing $170,000 SGF to increase pay for members of the State Board of Education and asked legislative staff to consider a conforming statutory change.
Why it matters: The votes combine a mix of agency enhancements and district-level grants the committee said are intended to support data collection, school staffing and student supports ahead of the next school year. Committee members debated tradeoffs and alternatives before approving each item.
Most important actions and context
• Agency tracking positions and FTE funding — Dr. Harwood, representing agency staff, told the committee the original request sought funding for six positions (two auditors, two IT staff and two positions in curriculum, standards and assessment) but that the department could implement the statute with a smaller, targeted appropriation. "If you allocated $184,500, we would not need an additional FTE; we have unfilled, unfunded FTE currently that we could use those funds to do," Dr. Harwood said, describing how existing but unfunded positions could be paid without increasing the agency's headcount. The committee approved a motion to add $184,500 SGF and 0 FTE to HB 2007 to implement provisions of the 2024 bill.
• State Board pay increase — Representative Steele moved and the committee approved adding $170,000 SGF to pay increases for State Board of Education members. Committee staff and representatives…
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