Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel backs lifting of support‑staff cap in school funding formula; broad backing from school systems
Summary
House Bill 1831, which would remove the longstanding support‑staff cap in the state’s K‑12 funding formula and update cost calculations, was reported to appropriations after broad testimony from school divisions and associations.
The subcommittee voted to report House Bill 1831, a major school‑funding measure that would remove a support‑staff cap imposed after the Great Recession and revise K‑12 Standards of Quality (SOQ) cost calculations to better reflect actual local spending, including benefits and leave payouts.
Sponsor’s rationale: Chair Simons said the support‑staff cap — adopted during the 2009 budget crisis — no longer reflects current costs and limits divisions’ ability to staff counselors, nurses, librarians, and other critical support positions. The bill would require VDOE to calculate support-costs based on actual spending and include retirement, health care and leave payouts in the formula. It would also lift arbitrary position caps.
Support and testimony: Dozens of local superintendents, county associations, school boards, the Virginia Education Association, the Legal Aid Justice Center’s Fund Our Schools coalition and municipal leagues testified in support, calling reversal of the support‑staff cap a long‑standing priority. Witnesses said partial rollbacks in recent years helped, but full relief is necessary to hire staff that support instruction and student services.
Concerns and critique: Opponents raised management and accountability concerns, arguing that funding alone does not guarantee improved outcomes without stronger oversight or changes in resource allocation. One witness urged stronger accountability and oversight before sending more funds into local budgets.
Committee action: The subcommittee voted to report HB1831 and refer it to appropriations. Several witnesses urged this year’s budget to include funding to fully remove the cap.
Ending: The bill has strong backing from school divisions and local governments; final enactment would require appropriation and potential adjustments in the state funding formula administration.
