April 2026 Board of Ed: House Ways and Means budget update

 Look, there is a document on this! There is also a PowerPoint, which NEVER happens
This is also being taken out of order on the agenda

Martinez notes the literacy grant wasn't in the House Ways & Means budget, nor were the literacy institutes, nor reimagining high school grant (pay for AP exams) and support early college and MyCap

Bell: some amendments, will have some on that once the House concludes
compare with Governor's recommendations
all education aid accounts at highest level "as a matter of factual dollar values"
sixth and final year of SOA implementation
biggest aid increases for communities with highest concentrations of those students
foundation enrollment decreased in 236 communities, increased in 81 communities
"always an increase in aid going to" districts year over year
Governor's minimum per pupil aid was $75/pupil; House Ways & Means increases to $160/pupil
reserve account "a little unclear how it would function" for districts that have seen unexpected decrease in English learners
"The methodology for distributing the funds is not specified"
special ed circuit breaker in two accounts, totaling $805.4M; "we won't know until we actually get the claims of this school year" but projected to cover 100% of claims
both Governor and Legislature have been using supplemental budgets of Fair Share 
charter school tuition reimbursement; H W&M of $200.4 "believe once the final enrollment settles for charter schools" that would be sufficient
transportation in both supp and in regular appropriation should fully cover both regional transportation and non-resident voke at 90%
homeless transportation projected to reimburse at 52%
rural aid account: Gov recommended $20M; House W&M funded at $10M "sure there are amendments...will be watching that as well"

school nutrition funded at $198M, a $6M increase
literacy launch, high dosage tutoring, reimagining high school not included
mental health systems; social emotional learning, accelerating achievement, not included

West: disappointing to see Legislature being "more generous with those losing enrollment" while not funding priorities of Department
they're legislators...who represent places...?
Martinez: "I'm not going to turn away more resources for districts...does concern me when we continue to add funding with no higher accountability, with no higher expectations"
helping legislatures "understand the impact"
budget challenges, enrollment declines
targeted funding needs 
Hills always talks about if minimum aid "meets the needs of state"
Bell: past practice is different branches prioritize things
Legislature is going to prioritize aid to local education; if there are department priorities, need to advocate for them