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Superintendent outlines state budget changes: separation of safety and mental-health funding, a three-year enrollment average, and other items
Summary
Superintendent reported that the state budget includes a roughly $250 increase (as summarized in the meeting), a roughly 20% rise in at-risk and ELL funds, a split of 31a funding into $147 per-student safety/security and $73 per-student mental-health allocations, continued free meals, and a shift to a three-year enrollment average.
The district superintendent briefed the Forest Hills Board of Education on the governor’s pending state budget and what it may mean for the district.
“$147 per student for safety and security items, and then they... have a mental health section that's $73 a student,” the Superintendent said while describing how the legislature separated certain 31a-style funds into distinct safety and mental-health allocations. He also said the budget summary shows about a $250 increase (as he summarized it) and roughly a 20% increase in at-risk and ELL funds but that the district is awaiting a detailed district impact statement to see exact local effects.
The superintendent noted one policy change that could help budgeting: the state will use a three-year average for enrollment in part of the funding formula, which should reduce year-to-year volatility. He also said retirement-rate projections that were expected to decline appear likely to remain at current levels, a factor that could increase district costs. The superintendent said he will circulate a more detailed update to the board and reminded members of the August 20 welcome-back event.
