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Committee approves small-district funding boost to aid rural and tiny systems
Summary
House Bill 226 would add a 1–2% funding increase for the state's smallest districts (1–1,500 students), intended to address unique cost pressures; sponsor said it would add about $6.5 million annually and the committee advanced it to Finance.
Chairman Haston presented HB 226, a one- to two-percent funding increase targeted at districts with 1,500 or fewer students. The sponsor said smaller districts face structural fiscal challenges—limited local tax base, teacher recruitment pressures and fewer CTE programs—and that the proposed change would add approximately $6.5 million per year to help about 37 districts. Representative Reeves and others asked whether the increase is already in the governor's budget; the sponsor said it would likely be included behind the budget and not be a direct reallocation.
Members generally expressed support for addressing smaller-district funding disparities. The clerk recorded 15 ayes, 0 nays, and 2 present not voting; HB 226 moves to the Finance Committee for fiscal review.
