K-12 budget committee advances package adding funds for agency tracking, teacher mentoring, school safety and meals; sends childcare accelerator for further 고려

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 discussed whether to include statutory language allowing revisers to adjust statute; the committee directed staff to pursue language so the funding can be used as intended.

• E‑Rate funds and KBOR transfer — Elaine Frisbie, vice president for finance and administration at the Board of Regents, explained the history of a CANED program and an old federal audit finding that left a legacy special revenue balance. The committee accepted the Legislative Budget Committee approach to leave a $70,000 transfer from the Board of Regents' E‑Rate fund to the Department of Education for FY2026. The committee also approved an amendment adding $500,000 SGF for the E‑rate Telecommunications Fund for FY2026 to improve the state's match capacity for federal E‑Rate reimbursements.

• District grants: mentor teachers and CTE transportation — After debate on priorities, the committee approved a one‑time $700,000 SGF increase for the mentor‑teacher program (funding stipends for early‑career teachers) and $300,000 SGF for career and technical education transportation. Dr. Harwood explained state law and local practices for mentor stipends and said districts vary in how they use state funds; district payments also depend on negotiated agreements.

• Safe and Secure Schools and AED/CPR grants — The committee adopted proviso language to guide a Safe and Secure Schools grant program, and approved a $2,000,000 SGF increase for the grant program for FY2026. The proviso language includes authorization for acquisition and routine maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), security cameras and related security measures. Separately, Representative Estes' motion to appropriate $250,000 SGF for a CPR and AED Instruction Grants account passed; the committee kept naloxone (Narcan) language available in the proviso after discussion about availability through other sources.

• Other district and program funding — The committee approved an SGF appropriation to SparkWheel (a community schools / integrated student supports program) and passed motions adding funding for mentor programs, school safety, career and technical education transportation, and a $2,000,000 commitment to reduce meal co‑pays for eligible students (see "Votes at a glance").

• Childcare Capacity Accelerator — The committee did not appropriate SGF for the governor's $10,000,000 childcare accelerator request. The panel voted to recommend that the House Appropriations Committee consider the governor's $10,000,000 childcare accelerator proposal; members noted the Children's Initiative Fund has structural constraints and that the $10,000,000 request was an SGF enhancement outside the cabinet's tobacco‑funded accounts.

How the committee recorded decisions

Several motions were voice votes with no roll‑call; minutes and the committee report will capture the committee's final package. Committee staff said they will circulate the budget committee report for member review before the report-out to Appropriations.

What comes next

The committee's budget report goes to House Appropriations; members said they intend to follow the package and to offer technical language (provisos and statutory fixes) to ensure funding can be used as intended. Appropriations will consider the committee's recommendations at its scheduled meeting.

Ending note

Committee members frequently described the process as compromise: several members urged caution on large new recurring spending while others pressed for stepped investments in teacher supports, school safety and student nutrition.

Votes at a glance

(Committee motions approved by voice vote unless noted)

• Add $184,500 SGF and 0 FTE to HB 2007 to implement provisions of 2024 House substitute for SB 387 (agency tracking/enhancements) — Moved Representative Valsley; seconded Representative Wynne; outcome: approved.

• Add $170,000 SGF to fund State Board of Education pay increases for FY2026 and pursue statutory conforming language — Moved Representative Steele; seconded Representative Vestas; outcome: approved.

• Add $500,000 SGF for the E‑Rate Telecommunications Fund for FY2026 (to support federal match) — Moved Representative Steele; seconded Representative Wynne; outcome: approved.

• Add $700,000 SGF one‑time for the Mentor Teacher Program (FY2026) — Moved Representative Johnson; seconded Representative Swartberger; outcome: approved.

• Add $300,000 SGF one‑time for Career and Technical Education transportation (FY2026) — Moved Representative Johnson (amended); outcome: approved.

• Add $2,000,000 SGF for Safe and Secure Schools grant program, retain AED and other security proviso language (FY2026) — Moved Representative Balsley; seconded Representative Schmoe; outcome: approved.

• Add $250,000 SGF one‑time for CPR/AED Instruction Grants (FY2026) — Moved Representative Estes; seconded Representative Johnson; outcome: approved.

• Add SparkWheel funding (special revenue appropriation was discussed and the committee approved an additional SGF appropriation motion presented) — Motion carried.

• School meal reduced co‑pay relief: committee approved a $2,000,000 SGF one‑time appropriation to reduce co‑pays for eligible students for FY2026 (after substitute motion and compromise discussion) — outcome: approved.

• Childcare Capacity Accelerator (governor request $10,000,000 SGF): committee recommended Appropriations consider the $10,000,000 SGF request rather than acting as a committee appropriation today.

• Final committee motion: recommend House Appropriations adopt the department funding for FY2025 and FY2026 as provided in HB 2007 as amended by this committee — outcome: approved.

(For full motion text, mover/second names and committee minutes see the official committee report submitted with the HB 2007 packet.)