Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves $27,000 sparsity increase for small, remote school districts
Summary
Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 70 to increase the sparsity benefit for the state's smallest and most remote schools by about $27,000 for 12 eligible districts. Sponsors said the change helps districts with extensive transportation and fixed costs remain open.
The House passed Senate Bill 70 to increase the maximum sparsity benefit available to the state's most remote small school districts.
Representative Hunt, sponsor on the floor, said the change responds to testimony from superintendents and education and appropriations committees: the cap had not been indexed since 2013 and small districts face unique long-distance transportation, staffing and facility challenges. "We have small rural schools in our state that are hurting and they cannot consolidate," Hunt said.
The bill was described by education committee members as a targeted increase affecting about a dozen districts; Representative Jamieson noted that the benefit helps counties that cover large land areas and high transportation costs. Support passed the floor with a clear majority; the displayed vote was ayes 69, excused 1.
Representative Rice and others stressed the bill would avoid raising local school property taxes because sponsors reduced the proposal to a level that would not force tax increases in school budgets. Lawmakers framed the measure as narrowly targeted assistance to preserve rural school access and local communities.
