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CareerTech to study funding formula and FBA timing; board told changes could come by February
Summary
Agency leadership said the funding formula for full‑time technology center programs has not been updated in decades. Staff are studying formula changes and seeking flexibility in the timing of the FBA (flex benefit allowance) count to avoid delayed funding for schools that add staff midyear.
Director Hagan told the board the agency is reviewing the funding formula that determines state allocations to technology centers for full‑time programs. He said the formula has not been updated in decades and that agency staff and superintendents are working through committees to propose an equitable update.
Hagan said the agency is not ready to present a final plan but hopes to bring a recommendation to the board by February: "We're not in a place where we are, going to move forward with a vote or an action item, but I hope by February, we are." He emphasized the aim is equity — to provide more resources to schools with the greatest need rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all change.
Hagan also flagged the FBA (flex benefit allowance) timing for staff counts, which the agency records in February each year under current practice. He said that timing discourages schools from adding staff during a year because the additional FBA dollars are not available until the following year; after recent audits the agency found at least one school about $50,000 short because it added staff to meet student needs and did not receive FBA payments until the next fiscal cycle.
"We have a school that's out about $50,000 because they added staff to meet a student need, and they're not gonna get the FBA until the next year," Hagan said, and he said the agency will seek legislative flexibility to allow an earlier (October) adjustment in some circumstances.
Agency staff are preparing rule and formula change options and plan meetings with superintendents in January and a board update in February. Hagan also described a recent benchmarking visit to Wichita State University's tech program and said the agency plans to present a one‑page return‑on‑investment summary on CareerTech outcomes.
No board action was taken on the funding formula at the meeting; members were briefed on the review timeline and asked for due diligence ahead of any future vote.
