Superintendent says midyear allocation rose slightly; district notes enrollment-linked revenue decline

Superintendent Brian reported that Ponca City Public Schools received a midyear allocation increase of about $111,973 but stressed that year-over-year comparisons show a decline in state revenue tied largely to October 1 enrollment figures.

Brian said, as recorded in the meeting, that “over the last 12 months, we are down about 360,000, 70 5. Sorry. 375 in state revenue,” and attributed the decline primarily to lower enrollment on the October 1 count used in state funding formulas. District staff said the midyear increase partially reflects data cleanup efforts—identifying students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, bilingual/ELL status, and other funding-qualifying designations—which can restore some formula funding.

The superintendent also reviewed broader state revenue trends in the meeting: sales tax receipts and grocery-sales-tax changes were called out, and the transcript states that gross production tax (oil) was down about 16 percent. He noted that the state has more than $4 billion in various savings accounts (rainy-day and stabilization funds) and that the state board of equalization’s preliminary numbers would be finalized in February. He described a recommendation from the board of equalization for a flat state budget or a potential 1 percent decline, which would limit new funding for programs without offsetting cuts.

District leaders said they are tracking legislative proposals and will monitor any income-tax or revenue actions at the state level that would affect school funding. The board received the financial report and approved it by motion and roll call.

Administrators emphasized that the midyear allocation and subsequent changes are estimates until the state finalizes numbers in February.