Deputy Superintendent of Operations Scott Jones told the board staff had submitted the board’s funding priorities to the governor’s office under the Budgetary Procedures Act and were monitoring the Public Education Appropriations Committee (PEA) and Executive Appropriations Committee. He highlighted that Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs appear in recommended actions and noted two programs were recommended be taken out of the base budget pending committee action.

"So these are the recommendations that are going to executive appropriations committee," Jones said, urging board members to follow the committee’s meetings and noting staff will attend and provide technical support.

During the funding discussion Member Earl asked whether changing WPUs affects local voted or board levies. Finance official Dale answered that the number of WPUs does not directly change local levies because levies are set locally, but changes in WPUs can change the guarantee rate in the equalization formula. "If you add more WPUs to the district system, the guarantee rate will go down to cover the same number of dollars," Dale said. "If you have fewer WPUs, the guarantee rate will go up to cover the same number of dollars."

Dale illustrated the distinction with a recent legislative action that removed WPUs from a program but kept the dollars in another budget part; that change affected the guarantee calculation and therefore the guarantee rate, although levy structures themselves remain locally determined. The board did not take action on funding items during this segment; the briefing was informational and staff invited follow-up questions.

Next steps: staff will continue to monitor the PEA and Executive Appropriations Committee and return with any recommended changes to board funding priorities if needed.