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House approves education budget amendments; ELL software line item pulled
Summary
House Bill 5012, a package of public education budget amendments including a 1.8% WPU increase and CARES Act education appropriations, passed the House after an amendment to remove $3 million for statewide ELL software licensing was adopted.
House Bill 5012, described by sponsor Representative Eliason as the culmination of committee work and adjustments tied to COVID-19 revenue estimates, passed the House on June 18 after floor amendments.
Rep. Eliason told members HB 5012 provides a net increase in public education funding (including enrollment growth) and sets the WPU at $3,596, an increase he said equates to roughly $60.5 million or 1.8% in the WPU value. The bill also directs CARES Act dollars to education, including $67.8 million for elementary and secondary emergency relief and $29.2 million for governors' emergency education relief, to be distributed on a Title I formula.
Representative Gibson offered Amendment 1 to remove about $3 million for English Language Learner software licensing, saying local districts should pursue local approaches; the amendment was described by the sponsor as a funding reallocation back into the education fund and was adopted by voice vote. Members debated vendor reductions and the committee’s consideration of various cut scenarios but the sponsor emphasized the bill remains a net funding increase to education.
Following debate and brief remarks in support by Representatives including Carol Moss, the House passed HB 5012 as amended, 73-0. The bill includes both ongoing and one-time adjustments meant to prioritize teacher salary supplements, optional extended-day kindergarten funding, charter-based funding, and an expansion of statewide online education capacity.
Representative Eliason said the bill also pauses certain one-year items (for example, foreign exchange student funding) and preserves unspent district balances available to local education agencies.
Outcome: HB 5012 (as amended) passed the House and will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
