Funding for Public Schools in Colorado

School Finance PartnershipJune 7, 2011

Federal, State, and Local Funding for Public Schools

School Finance Act Formula; $5,212.7

Categorical Programs;

$406.1

Other Federal Funds; $434.5

Other State Funds; $84.1

Total for FY 11-12 = $6.1 Billion

I: School Finance Act Formula

Per Pupil

Funding

Funded Pupil Count

Total Progra

m Fundin

g

Per Pupil Funding

The formula calculates a per pupil funding level for each school district, including the statewide base ($5,635 for FY 11-12) plus additional funding based on district characteristics:+ the cost of living relative to other

districts+ size of district (enrollment)+ the presence of “at-risk” students

Unique Per Pupil Funding

The formula guarantees a minimum level of funding per pupil regardless of the impact of the factors (95% of the statewide average).

The formula provides a flat rate of funding for two types of students:– On-line students in multi-district programs– Students in their fifth year of high school

participating in a specific concurrent enrollment program (ASCENT)

Funded Pupil Count

The formula provides 100% of the per pupil funding (PPF) amount for each pupil enrolled as of October, except:– Preschool students (50% PPF)– Kindergarten students (58% PPF)– Part-time students (50% PPF)

Districts with declining enrollment may average counts for up to 5 years

Per Pupil Funding Calculation – Two Examples

$8,059

$6,354

District A District B$0

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

$6,000

$7,000

$8,000

$9,000

SizeCost of LivingBase Funding

Total Program Funding Calculation – Two Examples

Component District A District B

Preliminary Per Pupil Funding X Enrollment $190,620,000 $3,626,550

At Risk Funding $8,950,000 $91,600

On-line/ ASCENT Funding $501,000 $133,400

Total Program Funding (prior to negative factor) $200,071,000 $3,851,550

Total Funding Per Pupil $6,669 $8,559

The Negative Factor

Beginning in FY 2010-11, the formula has also included a “negative factor” designed to reduce districts’ total program funding to a specified dollar amount.

The negative factor is applied after the formula described above:– FY 2010-11: -6.5% ($598M)– FY 2011-12 estim.: -12.9% ($774M)

School Finance:Total Program Funding by Component,

With and Without Negative Factor

Base Per Pupil

Funding

Cost of Living

SizeAt Risk

Base Per Pupil Fund-

ing

Cost of Living

Size

At Risk

Negative Factor

II. Categorical Programs

Children with Disabilities;

$288.6

English Language Learners; $24.4 Transportation;

$50.8

Career/ Technical Educ.; $23.6

Gifted & Talented Children; $9.2

Expelled/ At-risk Students; $7.5

Other; $2.0

Total for FY 11-12 = $406.1 million

III. Other Federal Funds

Nutrition Programs; $156.5

Title I (high poverty schools and districts);

$197.2

Title II (Educator Quality); $36.8

Other; $44.0

Total for FY 11-12 = $434.5 million

IV. Other State Funds

Capital Con-struction/ Facili-

ties; $35.0

Facility Schools; $14.5

School for the Deaf/ Blind; $11.0

Hold-harmless Full-day K; $6.9

Counselor Corps; $5.0

Read-to-Achieve; $4.4

Nutrition; $4.2 Other; $3.0

Total for FY 11-12 = $84.1 million

Other Funds Available to Districts

State law allows school districts to raise and spend additional property taxes for:– School operations (called “overrides”)– Capital construction projects (usually

through issuing bonds)– Transportation expenses (including capital)– Full-day kindergarten– Instructional technology

Districts may also charge fees (e.g., full-day kindergarten, transportation, athletics)

Federal, State, and Local Funding for Public Schools

School Finance Act Formula; $5,212.7

Categorical Programs;

$406.1

Other Federal Funds; $434.5

Other State Funds; $84.1

Total for FY 11-12 = $6.1 Billion