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Arkansas educational cooperatives defend their $188 million budget, lawmakers press for outcome measures
Summary
Directors from 15 regional education cooperatives told the Senate Education Committee they provide services statewide, including early‑childhood, special education and instructional coaching, but legislators demanded co‑op‑level results, fund breakdowns and clearer measures of student impact.
Directors representing Arkansas’ 15 regional educational cooperatives presented a consolidated FY23 financial snapshot and staffing overview to the Senate Education Committee, and lawmakers used the session to press for more granular accountability tied to student outcomes.
Daryl Blaxton (Northeast Education Cooperative) said consolidated FY23 revenues were approximately $187,922,167 and that funding sources were roughly one‑third state, one‑third local and one‑third federal. He outlined operating fund balances, restricted vs. discretionary funds, federal grant reporting rules and the role of co‑ops in administering grants and reimbursing districts post‑expenditure. Gerald Cooper described required financial controls, legislative audits, monthly board approvals for financial reports and…
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