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Senate passes base school budget of $2.6 billion; WPU cut and flexibility for districts highlighted
Summary
The Senate approved first substitute House Bill 1, a base minimum school program budget that appropriates $2,013,000,000 in ongoing Uniform School Fund dollars and $2,617,000,000 total from all sources; the WPU value was set at $2,487, down from $2,577.
The Utah State Senate on Friday passed first substitute House Bill 1, the minimum school program base budget, in open session on a 27-1 vote with one senator absent. Sponsor Senator Stevenson described the measure as a base budget to ensure state operations in the event of a budget impasse and to provide flexibility for school districts.
"The bill appropriates $2,013,000,000 in ongoing uniform school funds to support school districts and charter schools through the minimum school program and school building plans," Stevenson said on the floor, and the sponsor summarized additional line items and adjustments. The total appropriation from all sources in the bill is $2,617,000,000, the sponsor said.
The bill accounts for 11,044 new students anticipated in fiscal year 2010 and sets the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) value at $2,487, down from $2,577 in the prior year, a reduction the sponsor described as a 3.5% drop. The package also appropriates ongoing funds for the School Land Trust program and clarifies allocation and flexibility provisions for charter schools and local school boards.
Senators speaking during the roll call framed passage as a starting point: some said the bill is a necessary base to keep schools operating while acknowledging it may be augmented later in the session. Opponents raised budgetary and policy concerns during debate but the bill passed on final passage and will be returned to the House for the speaker's signature.
The Senate recorded 27 yay votes, 1 nay and 1 absent on the bill’s final passage; sponsors said further appropriations and adjustments could follow later in the session.
