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Senate approves school finance bill with contested career-ladder indexing
Summary
Senate Bill 196 passed the Senate after debate over career-ladder funding and indexing; the measure increases the WPU and directs new resources to special education, technology, and classroom size reduction but drew objections about automatic indexing and the 50% performance-pay provision.
The Senate approved Senate Bill 196, a Minimum School Program amendment that increases overall K–12 funding and alters the structure for career-ladder funding. Senator Barlow, presenting the bill, described a $56 million increase drawn from an estimated $95 million in new revenue and addressed growth, WPU increases and targeted investments for special education and classroom-size reduction.
Floor debate focused on career ladders and whether a portion of funds should be guaranteed for performance pay. Some senators objected to embedding career-ladder indexing into the WPU (which would produce automatic annual increases), saying the change could lock in future spending growth without separate committee deliberation. Senator Hewlett moved to reinstate language guaranteeing that 50% of career-ladder appropriations be used for performance pay; the motion carried on the floor and the matter was widely discussed.
Senators also discussed the mechanics of classroom reduction funding, the timeline for indexing, and the use of one-time versus ongoing revenues. The Senate moved the bill under suspension of rules and final recorded passage on the floor posted a vote of '28 ayes, 1 nay.' The bill will be sent to the House for further action; several senators signaled continuing concern and possible subsequent amendments if indexing remains in place.
Next steps: the House will receive the Senate-passed text; appropriators and education committees will reconcile indexing and the distribution of career-ladder funds during upcoming budget discussions.
