The current state funding model, which is usually described as complex, starts with base funding per pupil of $6,020 and then adjusts this amount using a formula to determine the portion of this each district gets per pupil. The adjustment is determined by the State Share Index of each district, which is measured by property valuation and the income of the residents of the district. The index is a sliding scale from 5% to 90%, with the wealthiest districts having an index of 5% and the least wealthy districts having and index of 90%. Caps and guarantees further complicate the index, meaning no district gets the full $6,020 in base funding, but rather some portion of that amount per student. In fact, because of caps and guarantees, very few districts are being funded by the actual formula amount.
With the change in Governor, as we have with Governor DeWine, we typically see a change in the funding model for schools. In his initial budget released in mid-March, Governor DeWine proposed that each K-12 district receive the same funding as the year before plus additional funding for mental health services, wraparound supports, mentoring, after school programs and other services. The additional funds are on a sliding scale, based on poverty level. For fiscal year 2020 the funding is up to $250 per student and for 2021 up to $300 per student. Under the Governor’s proposed budget, it is anticipated that Greenville would receive the full funding for these services, thus increasing our state funding by an estimated $619,987 in 2020 and $743,984 in 2021.
While the Governor has his proposed budget, the final budget will not be fully established until late June. The budget has to go through the House and Senate first and will likely be modified a number of times. Currently in the House, Representatives Patterson and Cupp have a proposal to change school funding. The Cupp-Patterson model takes into account actual enrollment at the school, as well as property and income levels in the district. While some districts projections under this model are very favorable, for Greenville this model just gives us similar funding to the current formula. The model sets out to be more fair, and it would pump even more money into K-12 schools than the Governor’s plan, $1.1 billion over two years compared to $500 million with Governor DeWine’s plan. However, based on enrollment, poverty, income and property tax values for Greenville City Schools, using this method results in the district falling into a small group that experiences very little change to state funding levels.
At this time, we have to wait to see which model or combinations of ideas will end up funding our schools for the next two years.
Written by Treasurer Jenna Jurosic, Greenville City Schools